How to file a water damage insurance claim, step by step

1. Stop the water and start drying

Most homeowners policies say you must take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage. That means shutting off the water and getting drying started, even before the adjuster visits. Waiting a week for an inspection while the drywall soaks up water can turn a covered loss into a mold problem.

2. Document the damage before cleanup

• Video of every affected room, walking slowly, before anything is moved.
• Photos of the source of the water: the failed part, the pipe, the appliance.
• Photos of water lines on walls and furniture.
• Close-ups of damaged items, with model and serial numbers for appliances and electronics.

Adjusters work from evidence. A clear photo of the failed supply line does more for your claim than any explanation afterward.

3. Open the claim

Call your insurance company or agent, or use their app. Write down:

• The claim number.
• The name of your adjuster and how to reach them.
• The date and time of every call, and what was said.

Describe what happened plainly and factually: what failed, when you found it, what you did. Don't guess about how long something was leaking.

4. Keep every receipt

Keep receipts for anything you spend because of the loss: fans, shop vac rental, hotel nights if the home is unlivable, meals out, and emergency repairs. Many policies reimburse additional living expenses when you can't stay in the home.

5. Meet the adjuster prepared

Have your photos, receipts and a list of damaged items ready. Your restoration company's moisture readings and drying logs matter here. They show how wet the materials were, where, and when they were dry, which supports why materials were removed and how long equipment ran.

Many insurance companies write their estimates in Xactimate. When your contractor's estimate is written in the same software, you and the adjuster are comparing the same line items instead of arguing over totals.

6. Review the estimate line by line

• Check that every room and every damaged material is on it.
• Ask about anything missing. Items found after work starts, like wet insulation behind a wall, are usually added as a supplement.
• If your mortgage company is on the check, call them early to ask how they release repair funds.

You choose your restoration company

Your insurance company may suggest a contractor, but the choice is yours. Read more: Do I have to use my insurance company's contractor?

This article explains how claims generally work. It is not legal advice, and every policy is different. Read your declarations page and endorsements, or ask your agent. We can't promise a claim outcome. We make sure your claim is documented right.

Common questions