# Filing a water damage insurance claim > Shut off the water and stay away from wet outlets. Photograph and video everything before cleanup, then call your insurer for a claim number. Remove water and dry within a day or two, keeping receipts, since those costs are often covered. Sudden, accidental damage like a burst pipe is usually covered; slow leaks and outside flooding often aren’t. List damaged items, get estimates and keep items for the adjuster. If you disagree, use appraisal or complain to your state insurance department. - URL: https://explained.page/water-damage-insurance-claim - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=water-damage-insurance-claim ## Step by step 1. **Water damage in your home?** How you handle the first days can decide how much insurance pays. Here’s how to file a strong claim. 2. **Stop the water and stay safe.** Shut off the main water valve, and keep away from water near outlets. Turn off power to wet areas if it’s safe. 3. **Photograph and video everything first.** The source, the water, and every damaged item and room, before you clean up. 4. **Call your insurer right away.** Get a claim number and write down who you talked to. Policies require prompt notice. 5. **Stop more damage, and keep receipts.** Your policy expects you to prevent further damage: remove water and dry things out within a day or two. Keep every receipt; these costs are often covered. 6. **Know what’s usually covered.** Sudden, accidental water, like a burst pipe, is usually covered. Slow leaks, poor maintenance and outside flooding often aren’t. Sewer backup needs an add-on. 7. **Build your claim file.** List damaged items with values, get repair estimates, and keep damaged items until the adjuster sees them. Meet every deadline in writing. 8. **Disagree with the offer?** Ask for the decision in writing, send more proof, use the policy’s appraisal process, or complain to your state insurance department. ## Checklist - Stop the water and stay safe - Photograph everything first - Call your insurer; get a claim number - Dry out fast; keep receipts - Know what’s usually covered - Build your file; appeal if needed ## First, stop the water Shut off the main water valve. Stay away from water near outlets and turn off power to wet areas if it’s safe. ## Document before cleaning Take photos and video of the source, standing water, and every damaged room and item. ## Notify your insurer promptly Call to open a claim, get a claim number, and note who you spoke with and when. ## Prevent more damage Policies expect you to protect the home: remove water, run fans and dehumidifiers, or hire a water mitigation company. Dry within 24 to 48 hours to limit mold. Keep receipts; reasonable costs are often covered. ## What’s usually covered - **Usually covered:** sudden and accidental water, like a burst pipe or appliance hose failure. - **Often not covered:** slow leaks over time, poor maintenance, groundwater, and outside flooding (needs flood insurance). - **Sewer or drain backup:** usually only with an add-on. ## Build your claim List damaged items with ages and values, get written repair estimates, and keep damaged items until the adjuster sees them. Meet proof-of-loss and other deadlines in writing. ## If you disagree Ask for the decision and reasons in writing, provide more evidence, use the policy’s appraisal process, or file a complaint with your state insurance department. Public adjusters can help but take a percentage. ## Common questions ### Will a water damage claim raise my premium? It can, depending on your insurer and claim history. For small damage close to your deductible, weigh whether to file. Source page: https://explained.page/water-damage-insurance-claim/questions/will-a-water-damage-claim-raise-my-premium ### Who pays to fix the broken pipe itself? Often the policy covers the water damage but not the repair of the pipe that failed from wear. Check your policy. Source page: https://explained.page/water-damage-insurance-claim/questions/who-pays-to-fix-the-broken-pipe-itself ### Does homeowners insurance cover water damage? Usually for sudden and accidental water, like a burst pipe. Slow leaks, maintenance problems and outside flooding often aren’t covered. Source page: https://explained.page/water-damage-insurance-claim/questions/does-homeowners-insurance-cover-water-damage ### How do I file a water damage claim? Stop the water, document everything, call your insurer for a claim number, prevent more damage, then send a list of damaged items and repair estimates. Source page: https://explained.page/water-damage-insurance-claim/questions/how-do-i-file-a-water-damage-claim ### How long do I have to file a water damage claim? Policies require prompt notice and set deadlines for proof of loss. Report it right away and ask for deadlines in writing. Source page: https://explained.page/water-damage-insurance-claim/questions/how-long-do-i-have-to-file-a-water-damage-claim ### Will insurance pay for drying out my house? Reasonable costs to prevent further damage, like water removal and drying, are often covered. Keep receipts. Source page: https://explained.page/water-damage-insurance-claim/questions/will-insurance-pay-for-drying-out-my-house ### What if my water damage claim is denied? Ask for the reason in writing, send more evidence, request appraisal if your policy has it, or complain to your state insurance department. Source page: https://explained.page/water-damage-insurance-claim/questions/what-if-my-water-damage-claim-is-denied ### Is flood damage covered by homeowners insurance? Usually not. Flooding from outside water generally needs a separate flood insurance policy. Source page: https://explained.page/water-damage-insurance-claim/questions/is-flood-damage-covered-by-homeowners-insurance ## Official sources - [NAIC: your state insurance department](https://content.naic.org/) - [FloodSmart: flood insurance](https://www.floodsmart.gov/) - [EPA: mold cleanup](https://www.epa.gov/mold) To find your local office, search for: - "[your state] department of insurance complaint" - "water damage restoration near me" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.