How to make a home insurance claim?
No one likes making a claim on their home insurance, but it can help you financially if something sudden happens.
Whether you want to know how to help prevent the most common claims from occurring, or you’d like to know how to make a home insurance claim, this guide will offer some guidance.
Filing a home insurance claim? Follow this checklist.
✓ Before making a claim, check your policy or confirm coverage with your provider.
✓ Contact your insurer with your policy details and incident information.
✓ Document the damage by taking photos and making a list of affected items.
✓ Don’t dispose of damaged items unless they pose a safety risk.
✓ Provide receipts and supporting evidence for your claim.
✓ Follow your insurer’s instructions on repairs and claim submissions.
Keep reading to find out when you should make a claim, what you’ll need, and how to make the process easy.
When should you claim on home insurance?
It's best to make a claim as soon as possible, even though most insurers give you up to 180 days (about six months) to report an issue. Waiting too long can make the process harder and may delay help.
For major damage like a burst pipe, fire, or a break-in, contact your insurer right away. Many providers offer 24/7 emergency helplines, so you can get help quickly.
For smaller issues, like a broken appliance or damaged furniture, check your policy to see if it’s covered. If the cost of fixing it yourself is close to your excess, it might not be worth claiming.
Acting early makes the process easier and ensures you get the support you need.
How to know if it's worth making a claim?
When deciding whether it’s worth making a claim, there are a few key things to consider. First, assess the value of the damage. If you're dealing with significant damage, such as from a flood or fire, making a claim is usually a good idea. Major repairs, like fixing a damaged roof or extensive water damage, can be expensive, and claiming can save you a lot of money in the long run.
However, for smaller issues, like a broken appliance or damaged furniture, it might not be worth claiming. The cost of repairing these things could be close to or less than your excess (the amount you pay before your insurance kicks in). In this case, it might be better to pay for the repair yourself, especially if it helps you avoid future premium increases.
It’s also important to consider your no-claims bonus. If you’ve had a claim-free history for a while, making a claim might cause your premium to rise. Some insurers offer discounts for not making claims, so you should weigh the cost of the claim against the benefit of keeping your discount.
Finally, look at your policy details. Some insurers may offer additional coverage, like accidental damage, which could cover smaller issues. Reviewing your policy can help you decide whether it’s worth making a claim.
Most common claims
Unfortunately, accidents can happen, so it’s important to be prepared. In some cases, these incidents can be prevented or show some telling signs and be caught early enough, to not cause further damage.
Claim | Prevention |
Frozen pipes | This can be prevented by servicing your boiler regularly and maintaining a low level of heating during the coldest of the winter months. |
Escape of water | Flooding from burst pipes can cause severe damage to flooring, furniture, and electronics. Signs include a sudden increase in your water bill or mould and damp patches appearing. If safe, turn off the primary water supply immediately and contact your provider to prevent further damage. |
House fires | Fires can be extremely damaging, but precautions can reduce the risk. Be diligent while cooking, keep matches away from children, and be careful with candles. Turn off electrical items like hair straighteners, irons, and electric blankets when not in use. Regularly clean washing machine and tumble dryer filters to prevent dust and lint buildup. Consider keeping a fire extinguisher or fire blanket in the kitchen to stop small fires from spreading if it’s safe to do so. |
Accidental damage | Covers minor household accidents, such as dropping a laptop or tablet, or breaking a valuable family heirloom. However, making a claim for accidental damage could result in an increased insurance premium. This could be prevented by using protective cases, securing fragile items, and keeping your space organised to reduce the risk of mishaps. |
How to claim on home insurance
1. Check your policy or confirm coverage with your provider
If you need to make a claim on your home insurance policy, whether that be for contents or for buildings, you should first check your policy to check that you’re covered for what you need to claim for.
2. Contact your insurer with your policy details and incident information
Once you're sure your claim is covered, contact your insurer right away. Have your policy details and information about the incident ready, such as when and how the damage occurred.
Many insurers have preferred contractors they trust for repairs, especially for building damage like a flood or storm affecting your roof. In non-emergency situations, always call your insurer first to arrange an assessment and fix. If the contractor isn't preferred, check with your insurer to see if you can use a tradesperson you trust instead.
3. Document the damage by taking photos and making a list of affected items
Take clear photos of the damage and make a list of all affected items, including furniture, electronics, or any damage to your home’s structure. The more evidence you have, the easier it will be for your insurer to assess the damage and decide on compensation.
4. Don’t dispose of damaged items unless they pose a safety risk
It’s tempting to clean up right away, but don’t throw away damaged items unless they’re a safety risk. Keep them in place until the insurer has assessed the damage. If you must dispose of something for safety (like broken electronics), take photos of it first to document the damage.
5. Provide receipts and supporting evidence for your claim.
Ensure you keep all receipts, invoices, and documentation related to any repairs, replacements, or purchases. This will help verify your claim’s legitimacy and ensure that you receive proper compensation for repairs or replacements.
6. Follow your insurer’s instructions on repairs and claim submissions.
After reporting the damage, your insurer may have specific rules for repairs. Some only cover repairs done by their preferred contractors, while others let you choose your own. If you want to use a non-preferred contractor, check with your insurer first to make sure they’ll cover the costs. Follow their instructions on repairs, forms, and other steps to avoid delays with your claim.
How long does a home insurance claim take?
The amount of time a home insurance claim will take to process will depend on the type of claim. If the claim is more complex, for example, in the event of a flood, it may take several months to complete the claim as the property would have to be dried and repaired before being habitable again. If the claim is simpler, such as for a like for like repair or replacement, the claim can be solved in a shorter amount of time.
There are things that can delay a claim, which you may want to bear in mind in order to successfully solve all future claims as soon as possible. Poor communication from either yourself, the tradesperson or your provider can slow things down. So, do make sure you provide thorough details when you provide accompanying documentation and evidence.
Depending on the claim, you’ll need to provide evidence which can include:
- Photos of items when bought/moved in, compared to photos of damage sustained
- Proof of purchase. Either receipts or bank statements will suffice
- Your policy breakdown, to know exactly what you’re covered for
Before making a claim, do make sure you check your policy to make sure you know exactly what you’re covered for.
How much will my home insurance go up after making a claim?
When you make a home insurance claim, your premium may go up. The increase depends on things like the type of claim, how many claims you've made in the past, and your insurer’s policies. Big claims or claims from natural disasters may lead to higher increases, while multiple claims can make you seem like a higher risk. Before filing a claim, think about whether it’s worth it, as even small claims can affect your future premiums. It’s a good idea to check with your insurer to understand how a claim might impact your rates.
