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Working with your insurer after water, fire or storm damage: documenting the loss, the adjuster's visit, and your claim.
An insurance claim after water, fire or storm damage is mostly a matter of records and timing. The guides below cover documenting the loss, the adjuster's visit, flood versus water damage and reading an estimate.
Start the claim, and keep records
- Report it quickly. FloodSmart, FEMA's flood insurance site, says: "Start your flood insurance claim as soon as possible after a flood." It adds that the claim can take 4-8 weeks "before a claim is finalized and paid." (FloodSmart, start a claim, undated) Those are flood-policy figures; ask your own insurer for yours.
- Photograph first. The same page says: "Take photos and videos of your flood-damaged belongings and property. Write down or take photos of the make, model and serial number for appliances and electronics."
- Keep what you spend. Ready.gov says: "Begin saving receipts for any money you spend related to fire loss." (Ready.gov, home fires, updated 02/26/2026)
- An inventory helps. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) says: "An accurate home inventory gives your insurance carrier the information they need to help settle your claims." (NAIC, home inventory, undated)
At the adjuster's visit
FloodSmart says your adjuster "will prepare a damage estimate for your review, so be sure to review it carefully to ensure it's accurate and complete." It also says to "talk to your agent or adjuster before signing a contract with a cleaning or maintenance contractor." (same page)
What a policy may not cover
- Flood. FloodSmart says: "Most homeowners insurance does not cover flooding." (FloodSmart, the cost of flooding, undated)
- Mold, under a flood policy. The claims page says: "NFIP policies do not cover damage from mold."
If you disagree with your insurer
The NAIC says: "If you have a problem with your insurer, you should try to resolve it with them first." If you are still not satisfied, your state department of insurance "can investigate complaints for free," including "Unfair claim delays or denials." (NAIC, how to file a complaint, undated)
Start here
- Documenting Your Loss Before the Cleanup Starts
- The Adjuster's Visit and Choosing Your Restoration Company
- Flood vs. Water Damage on a Homeowner's Policy
- Reading a Restoration Estimate Before You Sign
Sources, each read on 10/05/2026: the FloodSmart, NAIC and Ready.gov pages above. This is general guidance, not advice for your policy.
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