What does Nationwide homeowners insurance require me to do after a loss?

Home insuranceHow to fileChecked Nov 6, 2026

From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: Texas Department of Insurance · Steps to getting your home or car insurance claim paid · Steps 1 and 2 View original ↗

In short

Report fast. Protect your home. List the damage.
Keep damaged items and receipts until the adjuster sees them.
Check your policy for deadlines. Florida has a 1-year notice rule.

What this means

We have not opened Nationwide's policy, so its exact "Duties After Loss" list is "Don't know yet" here. Your policy has that section. The common steps below come from the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).

File a claim as soon as you can. Take photos and videos of all damage. Do what you need to keep the damage from getting worse, like a tarp or temporary repairs. Keep receipts for all expenses [1]. Make a list of damaged property, do not throw away damaged items until the adjuster sees them, and do not make permanent repairs until the company sees the damage [2]. Get the adjuster's name and contact details, and answer questions quickly [1].

Time limits depend on the state. In Florida, a claim on a property policy is barred unless notice is given within 1 year after the date of loss; a supplemental claim, within 18 months [3]. In Texas, after the insurer has all the papers it asked for, it must accept or reject your claim within 15 business days [1].

Your next step

Report the loss, protect the home from more damage, and start a photo list of damaged items. Read your policy's "Duties After Loss" section for any sworn proof-of-loss deadline. Florida deadline in the sources: notice within 1 year after the date of loss.

Check it yourself

Open your Nationwide policy to the part on your duties after a loss. Note any days it gives for a signed proof of loss. Nationwide's exact list: "Don't know yet".

Where this comes from (3)

[1] Texas Department of Insurance · Steps to getting your home or car insurance claim paid · Steps 1 and 2 · checked 2026-11-06
File a claim as soon as you can. … Take photos and videos of all damage. Do what you need to keep the damage from getting worse, like covering it with a tarp or making temporary repairs. Keep receipts for all expenses. … Get the adjuster's name, phone number, and email address. Give them answers as soon as you can. … Deadline: Your company has 15 business days after getting what it needs from you to tell you if it wi…
[2] Texas Department of Insurance · When are water damage and mold covered by insurance? · checked 2026-11-06
Make a list of your damaged property. If possible, take pictures or videos of the damage before making any repairs. Don't throw away any damaged items until your adjuster has seen them. Make temporary repairs to protect your house and belongings. For instance, put a tarp on your roof or cover a broken window. Don't make permanent repairs until your insurance company sees the damage.
[3] Florida Legislature · 2026 Florida Statutes, s. 627.70132 · § 627.70132(2) · checked 2026-11-06
is barred unless notice of the claim was given to the insurer in accordance with the terms of the policy within 1 year after the date of loss. A supplemental claim is barred unless notice of the supplemental claim was given to the insurer in accordance with the terms of the policy within 18 months after the date of loss.

How we found this

We matched your question to 3 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.

What we don’t know yet

Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.

Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.

Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.

This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.

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