Skip to content

K.ActuaryAsk a question

Questions & answers · Home insurance

Home insurance claim questions

78 short answers. Each one quotes the official rule it is based on, with the date we checked it. Information only — not legal advice.

Any state · federal rules (17)

A storm damaged my roof and ceiling, and my homeowners insurance paid much less than my contractor's estimate. How do I get a fair amount?Paid too little
Do I need a lawyer for my homeowners insurance claim, and is my insurer acting in bad faith?Lawyer / bad faith
Does Farmers homeowners insurance cover roof replacement after hail?How to file
Does Travelers homeowners insurance cover sudden pipe bursts?How to file
How do I file a complaint with my state insurance department about my homeowners claim, and can anyone outside the company review it?Complaint / outside review
How long do I have to file a homeowners insurance claim for hail damage to my roof?Deadlines
I have a Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) policy and disagree with the estimate. What are the deadlines?Paid too little
My condo association charged me a share of flood repair costs. Does the federal flood policy pay my share?Who pays
My home insurer denied my claim calling it an "act of God". Is that a valid reason?Denied
My home was damaged by water after a storm. How does the federal flood policy define a flood?Who pays
My homeowners insurance company is taking too long on my storm damage claim. What can I do?Slow or stuck
My homeowners insurance denied my fire damage claim. Why would they, and what can I do?Denied
My homeowners insurance denied my roof hail claim. How do I appeal it?Appeal
My insurer will only replace the damaged part of my siding, so it won't match. Do they have to replace all of it?Paid too little
State Farm paid only part of my hail-damaged roof and depreciated it even though I have replacement cost coverage. What are my options?Paid too little
What does Nationwide homeowners insurance require me to do after a loss?How to file
Why doesn't flood insurance cover damage to the ground under a home?Who pays

California (4)

A storm destroyed trees and bushes in my yard. Will my home policy pay to replace them and haul away the debris?Other · California
After my fire, the city says my house must meet today's building code. Will my insurance pay for the upgrades?Other · California
I have a California FAIR Plan policy. Does it pay for flood damage?Who pays · California
My insurer paid actual cash value for my home loss. How long do I have to repair or rebuild to get the rest?Buying a policy · California

Colorado (2)

My Colorado homeowners insurer is acting in bad faith on my hail claim. What are my options?Complaint / outside review · Colorado
My Colorado homeowners insurer is dragging out or denying my hail claim. What does state law give me?Lawyer / bad faith · Colorado

Connecticut (1)

In Connecticut, my tree fell on my neighbor's property. Does my homeowners policy pay for their damage?Who pays · Connecticut

Florida (8)

Can I use a public adjuster to reopen an underpaid homeowners claim, and how much do they charge?Paid too little · Florida, Texas
How long do I have to report a homeowners claim in Florida, for example after a hurricane?Deadlines · Florida
How long does an insurance company have to pay a claim in Florida?Slow or stuck · Florida
In Florida, a neighbor's dog bit me. Is the owner responsible even if the dog never bit anyone before?Who pays · Florida
My Florida home policy has a separate hurricane deductible. How is it counted if two storms hit in one year?Other · Florida
My Florida homeowners claim has been open a long time. What does Florida law require of the insurer?Slow or stuck · Florida
My Florida homeowners claim was denied or underpaid. Is there a mediation program, and what comes before a lawsuit?Denied · Florida
What should I do if my Florida home insurance company drops me?Buying a policy · Florida

Maryland (2)

In Maryland, my condo association charged me an assessment after a loss. Does my unit owner's insurance pay it?Lawyer / bad faith · Maryland
In Maryland, my neighbor's tree fell on my house. Will my homeowners insurance pay, and who pays to remove the tree?Who pays · Maryland

Missouri (1)

Heavy snow made my garage roof cave in. Will my home insurance pay?Denied · Missouri, Oklahoma

Texas (43)

A guest got hurt or damaged my house while I rented it out short-term. Will my home policy pay?Other · Texas
A pipe leaked in my house. Will my homeowners insurance pay for the water damage and the mold?Other · Texas
A roofer says he will cover or waive my deductible. Is that allowed?Other · Texas
A storm caused both wind damage and flooding at my house. What claims do I file in Texas?Who pays · Texas
An earthquake damaged my house, and my home insurance says it is not covered. Why?Denied · Texas, Washington
Does my homeowners insurance still cover me if I rent out my house?Who pays · Texas
Hail or wind damaged my roof. How do I file a homeowners claim and what should I do first?How to file · Texas
How long does a homeowner's claim stay on your record?Buying a policy · Texas
How much does my home policy pay for my belongings, and what about jewelry and art?Other · Texas
How much homeowners insurance should I carry?Buying a policy · Texas
I can't live in my home during repairs. What does my insurance pay for, and for how long?Who pays · Texas
I disagree with my home insurer. Do I ask for an appraisal or file a complaint?Denied · Texas
I live on the Texas coast. Does my home policy cover wind and hail damage?Other · Texas
I own a condo or townhouse. What does my own policy cover and who covers the outside?Other · Texas
I want to file a mold claim. What proof will the insurer want?How to file · Texas
I will be away from my house for a long time. Will my home policy still cover it?Other · Texas
In Texas, my insurer depreciated my roof on a hail claim. Do they have to pay the depreciation?Paid too little · Texas
My home claim check went to my mortgage company. How do I get the money?After payment · Texas
My home insurance company cancelled my policy or will not renew it. What are my rights?Complaint / outside review · Texas
My home policy deductible is a percentage. How much will I really pay, and does it apply to each claim?Other · Texas
My home policy does not cover floods, sewer backup or earthquakes. Can I buy those separately?Who pays · Texas
My homeowners claim is delayed. What time limits does my insurer have in Texas?Slow or stuck · Texas
My homeowners claim was denied or paid too little. What should I know before hiring a public adjuster in Texas?Appeal · Texas
My homeowners insurer denied my water damage claim as "wear and tear". Can I fight it?Denied · Texas
My homeowners insurer denied water damage as flood. Is that covered?Denied · Texas
My homeowners insurer paid less than my contractor's estimate. What options are there?Paid too little · Texas
My homeowners insurer won't pay fairly. Can the state insurance department help?Complaint / outside review · Texas
My insurer denied my mold claim, saying it was a slow leak. What can I do?Denied · Texas
My insurer denied the claim because I reported it late. Is there any exception?Denied · Texas
My insurer keeps asking for new documents and the claim never ends. What are my rights?Slow or stuck · Texas
My insurer paid less than the repair cost and took off depreciation. Is that right?Denied · Texas
My insurer says the hail damage on my roof is only cosmetic and won't pay. Can they do that?Denied · Texas
My roof is old and a storm damaged it. Will my insurer pay for a whole new roof?Other · Texas
Someone else caused damage to my home. Do I file with my insurance or theirs?Other · Texas
Someone was hurt at my house, or my dog bit someone. Does my home policy pay?Other · Texas
The repair shop found more damage than the adjuster's estimate. Will the insurer pay for it?Paid too little · Texas
Water got into my house. Will my homeowners insurance pay, or do I need flood insurance?Who pays · Texas
What does a home insurance policy actually cover, and what does it leave out?Buying a policy · Texas
What does my homeowners policy actually cover, and what does it usually not cover?Other · Texas
What should I do if my home insurance company drops me?Buying a policy · Texas
Why did the insurer hold back part of my home repair money, and why is the check made out to my mortgage company?Paid too little · Texas
Why do insurance companies deny home insurance claims in Texas?Denied · Texas
Will my premium go up if I file a claim?Buying a policy · Texas