Should You Repair Your Home Before Your Insurance Claim Is Settled?

After a storm, fire, water loss, or other unexpected damage to your home, it can be difficult to

know what to do first.

You may be wondering: Should I start making repairs, or should I wait for the insurance

company to inspect the damage?

The answer depends on the situation as well as the language spelled out in your insurance policy. There is an important difference between taking steps to protect your property from further damage and completing permanent repairs.

Knowing the difference can help you protect your home while also making sure the damage is properly documented.

Start With Your Policy: “Duties After Loss”

Before making repairs, it is important to understand what your insurance policy requires you to do after a loss. Many homeowners policies include a “Duties After Loss” provision that outlines the policyholder’s responsibilities following covered damage.

While the exact language varies by policy, these provisions commonly require homeowners to promptly report the loss, take reasonable steps to protect the property from further damage, provide documentation, and cooperate with the insurance company’s investigation.

These requirements are an important part of what happens after a claim is filed. Protecting your property from additional damage is different from completing permanent repairs that could alter or remove evidence of the original loss.

Your policy may also include specific requirements regarding damaged property, documentation, and inspections. Because policy language varies, review the “Duties After Loss” provision in your own policy and follow its requirements.

So, what does that look like in practice?

Protecting Your Home From Further Damage

After a loss, you may need to take immediate action to keep the damage from getting worse.

For example, a storm-damaged roof may need to be temporarily covered to prevent additional water from entering the home. If a pipe bursts, you may need to shut off the water and arrange for water removal. A broken window may need to be boarded up to protect the property.

These types of temporary measures are different from permanent repairs. The goal is to stabilize and protect the property while preserving the opportunity to properly document and evaluate the original damage.

In other words, protecting your home does not necessarily mean repairing everything immediately.

Document the Damage Before Anything Is Removed

Before cleanup or repairs begin, take as many photos and videos as possible.

Try to document:

• The overall condition of affected areas
• Close-up photos of visible damage
• Water, smoke, or fire damage
• Damaged flooring, walls, ceilings, roofing, and other materials
• Damaged personal belongings
• Areas surrounding the damage
• Anything that may be removed during cleanup or mitigation

Thorough documentation can make it easier to establish what happened and what was damaged.

If damaged materials or personal property need to be removed, keep them whenever practical until the insurance company has had an opportunity to inspect them. If something must be discarded because of safety, sanitation, or other practical concerns, document it thoroughly first.

What About Emergency Repairs?

Some repairs simply cannot wait.

You may need to address an active water leak, remove standing water, cover a damaged roof, or take other immediate measures to protect the property.

If emergency work is necessary, keep detailed records, including:

• Photos and videos
• Contractor estimates
• Invoices and receipts
• Mitigation reports
• Written descriptions of the work performed
• Documentation of materials that were removed or replaced

If possible, photograph damaged materials before they are removed.

Coverage for emergency or temporary work depends on the terms of your specific insurance policy. Keeping receipts and documentation can help support expenses associated with the loss.

Emergency work does not necessarily mean you need to immediately complete permanent repairs.

Should You Wait Before Making Permanent Repairs?

Whenever possible, consider waiting to begin major permanent repairs until the insurance company has had an opportunity to inspect and document the damage.

Replacing a roof, removing damaged walls, replacing flooring, or rebuilding part of a home can change or eliminate evidence of the original damage.

For example, once damaged drywall has been removed, some evidence of water damage may no longer be visible. Once damaged roofing materials have been replaced, it may be more difficult to document their original condition.

This does not mean you should leave your home sitting damaged indefinitely. Take reasonable steps to protect the property, document the damage, and give the insurance company an opportunity to inspect the loss before major permanent repairs begin.

What If Your Contractor Finds More Damage?

Sometimes the full extent of damage isn't obvious during the initial inspection.

For example, imagine a storm damages your roof. The initial inspection identifies damaged shingles, but when the contractor begins removing the roofing materials, they discover damage underneath that could not be seen from the surface.

If additional damage is discovered during repairs, document it and contact the insurance company or adjuster. Take photos, keep records, and make sure the newly discovered damage is properly supported.

Depending on the circumstances, additional work may need to be included in the claim through a revised estimate or supplement.

Don't Assume the First Estimate Tells the Whole Story

An insurance estimate is based on the information available when it is prepared. As repairs and mitigation begin, additional information may become available. Hidden damage may be uncovered, required repairs may change, or materials and construction details may differ from what was originally anticipated.

That's why it is important to look beyond simply asking, “Did the insurance company approve my claim?”

A better question may be:

“Does the current scope of my claim accurately reflect the damage to my property?”

When Should You Get Help With Your Claim?

Property damage can become complicated quickly, especially when the initial estimate doesn't account for everything that needs to be repaired.

If you're unsure whether your claim accurately reflects the damage to your property, it may be helpful to have someone review the claim and supporting documentation.

At Miller Public Adjusters, we help property owners understand the scope of their damage, document their losses, and work through the insurance claim process.

If you have questions about your property insurance claim, Miller Public Adjusters offers a free claim review with no obligation.

You don't have to wait until the claim becomes overwhelming to ask questions.