How to File an Insurance Claim (Without the Runaround)
Key Takeaways
- Call your agent first — we’ll help you decide if filing a claim is the right move
- Document everything: photos, receipts, repair estimates, and a written timeline
- Don’t throw anything away or start permanent repairs until the adjuster has seen the damage
- Your agent is your advocate — if something isn’t right with your claim, we push back on your behalf
Before You File: Call Your Agent
This is the step most people skip, and it’s the most important one. Before you call the 1-800 number on your insurance card, call your agent. Why? Because not every loss should be filed as a claim. If the damage is close to your deductible amount, filing might not make financial sense — and it could affect your claims history and future premiums. Your agent can help you weigh the pros and cons before you commit. At Mc-Wright, we’ll look at your policy, your deductible, the estimated damage, and your claims history, and give you an honest recommendation.
Step 1: Document the Damage
If you decide to move forward with a claim, documentation is everything. Take photos and videos of all the damage — the more, the better. Include wide shots that show the full scope and close-ups that show detail. Make a list of damaged or lost items, including approximate values and purchase dates if you have them. Save any receipts for emergency repairs you’ve already had to make (like tarping a roof or boarding up a window). Write down a timeline of what happened, when you noticed the damage, and any steps you’ve already taken. Keep all of this in one place. It’ll make the process smoother.
Step 2: File the Claim
You can file a claim directly with your insurance carrier, or your agent can do it for you. At Mc-Wright, we often handle this step on behalf of our clients because we know how to present the information in a way that gets things moving. When the claim is filed, your carrier will assign a claim number and an adjuster. The adjuster is the person who will evaluate the damage and determine how much the carrier will pay.
Step 3: The Adjuster Visit
An adjuster will typically come to inspect the damage in person (for larger claims) or may handle smaller claims remotely with photos and estimates. Here’s the important part: don’t throw anything away and don’t start permanent repairs before the adjuster has seen the damage. You can (and should) make temporary repairs to prevent further damage — like tarping a leaky roof — but save the receipts and take photos before and after. When the adjuster arrives, walk them through the damage and share your documentation. You don’t have to agree with their assessment on the spot. If something doesn’t look right, tell your agent.
Step 4: Review the Settlement
After the adjuster completes their inspection, the carrier will issue a settlement offer. This is the amount they’re willing to pay for the covered damage, minus your deductible. Review it carefully. Does it cover the actual cost of repairs? Did they miss anything? Is the scope of damage accurate? If you disagree with the settlement, you don’t have to accept it as-is. This is where having an agent matters. We can go back to the carrier, provide additional documentation, and push for a fair resolution. We’ve done it many times — and it makes a difference.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few things we see people do that make the claims process harder than it needs to be: waiting too long to report the loss (most policies require “prompt” reporting), not documenting the damage before cleaning up, making permanent repairs before the adjuster visit, accepting the first settlement without reviewing it, and not reading their policy to understand what’s actually covered. The biggest mistake? Not calling your agent. We’re here to be your advocate through the whole process. Use us.
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