If you’re wondering how to file a renters insurance claim, there’s a good chance something stressful has already happened. Whether your belongings were stolen, damaged by a fire, or ruined by a burst pipe, knowing what to do next can help the claims process go smoothly.
When should you file a renters insurance claim?
In general, it may make sense to file a claim with renters insurance when two things happen:
The damage or loss is caused by a covered event.
The cost to replace or repair your belongings exceeds your deductible.
Here’s an example:
If a fire destroys $8,000 worth of furniture and electronics and your deductible is $500, filing a claim could save you $7,500. If a covered water leak ruins a $300 coffee table and your deductible is $500, filing a claim likely won’t result in a payout.
Some of the most common reasons renters file claims include theft, fire damage, vandalism, certain types of water damage, and liability incidents involving guests.
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What to do before you file: Document everything
Before you throw anything away, start repairs, or replace damaged items, take time to document exactly what happened. The more evidence you have, the easier it will be for your provider to verify your renters insurance claim.
Take photos and videos immediately
Start by photographing all damaged property from multiple angles.
If there’s water damage, photograph the source of the leak if it’s visible. If there’s a break-in, photograph damaged doors, broken windows, or other signs of forced entry. A quick video walkthrough can also help capture the full extent of the damage and make sure you don’t overlook something.
Create a list of damaged or stolen items
Next, make a detailed inventory of everything affected.
For each item, try to include:
A description of the item
Brand and model number
Approximate purchase date
Original purchase price
Estimated replacement cost
It’s OK if you can’t remember every detail perfectly. Just focus on providing as much information as you reasonably can.
Read more: How much is renters insurance?
Gather receipts and proof of ownership
Ideally, you should keep physical or digital receipts for your belongings. But you can also show proof of ownership through:
Learn more: What does renters insurance cover?
File a police report if necessary
You may need to file a police report if your belongings were stolen or vandalized. Your insurance company may want a copy of this report before processing your claim.
Prevent further damage
Insurance companies generally expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional losses after an incident occurs.
For example, if a pipe bursts after a record-breaking snowstorm, you may need to shut off your water valve and move any of your undamaged belongings to a dry area. If your bedroom window was shattered during a thunderstorm, you may need to temporarily board it up.
Pro tip: If you incur any expenses while preventing further damage, keep the receipts. Your policy may reimburse some of those costs.
How to file a renters insurance claim step by step
Once you’ve documented the damage, you’re ready to start a claim. Most renters insurance claims follow a similar process, no matter which company you use.
Step 1: Contact your insurance company
For most renters insurance companies, you can file a claim online through the website, via your phone through the mobile app, or by calling an insurance agent.
When you start the claim, you’ll typically be asked for:
Step 2: Submit any evidence you have
Next, you’ll provide all the documentation you gathered earlier to support your renters insurance claim.
This may include:
Photos and videos of the damage
A list of damaged or stolen items
Receipts or proof of ownership
Police reports
Repair estimates
Receipts for temporary expenses related to the loss
Step 3: Work with the claims adjuster
After you submit your claim, your insurance company may assign a claims adjuster to review it.
Depending on the situation, the adjuster may:
Ask follow-up questions
Request additional documentation
Conduct a virtual inspection
Visit the property in person
Step 4: Review the settlement offer
Once your insurance company finishes reviewing your claim, it will determine how much it will pay.
The amount may depend on:
For example, if your policy has a $1,000 deductible and the covered loss is valued at $6,000, your payout could be approximately $5,000.
Step 5: Receive payment
After your claim is approved, you’ll receive payment. Depending on the size of the claim, you could receive payment all at once or in chunks over time as you complete repairs or as replacement costs are verified. In many cases, you could receive your payment electronically directly into your bank account or via a mailed check.
Step 6: Keep records until the claim is closed
Even after you receive your renters insurance claim payout, hang on to any documents you received during the process. If questions come up later, it will be good to have any emails, receipts, settlement letters, claim numbers, and other communication you had along the way.
How long does the renters insurance claim process take?
A simple claim may be processed in a matter of a few business days, especially if you use a company that lets you file your claim online. But major losses that require more verification will take longer.
In these cases, the insurance company may need to:
Once your claim is underway, try to respond promptly to any requests from your insurance company. If your adjuster has to repeatedly request receipts, photos, or additional details about damaged items, the claim can stall and take longer than necessary.
Why is my renters insurance claim denied — and what should I do now?
If you’re hit with a denied renters insurance claim, it could be for one of several reasons:
A covered peril didn’t cause the damage
A common reason claims are denied is that the loss wasn’t caused by a covered event. For example, standard renters insurance policies typically cover theft and fire, but they usually don’t cover floods, earthquakes, and some types of mold damage. If damage falls into an excluded category, your claim will probably be denied.
You didn’t provide enough documentation
Insurance companies usually require a “proof of loss” inventory to help prove that an actual loss occurred. If you can’t provide photos, receipts, police reports, or other supporting documentation, your provider may deny all or part of the claim.
Your policy wasn’t active
If your coverage accidentally lapsed because of a missed payment or because you forgot to renew your policy, for example, your claim could be denied.
The claim exceeds policy limits
Sometimes a claim is partially denied because certain items exceed the limits in the policy.
For example, many renters insurance policies place special limits on jewelry, collectibles, firearms, cash, and electronics. Even if the overall claim is approved, you may not get reimbursed for the full value of every item.
What should you do if your claim is denied?
Requesting a written explanation is the first thing you should do when a renters insurance claim is denied. You can then review this explanation to figure out their reasoning. If you disagree with the denial, there are several steps you could potentially take:
Go through your insurer’s formal appeal process, if there is one.
Hire a public adjuster to review your claim or represent you.
File a complaint with your state department if you suspect your insurance company denied you without good reason.
Tips to make sure your claim goes smoothly
Establishing these habits can make any renters insurance claim less stressful.
Create a home inventory before you need it. A home inventory is one of the most valuable tools you can have during a claim. Take photos of your belongings, record serial numbers for electronics, and keep a basic list of major purchases.
Save receipts for expensive purchases. You don’t need to keep every receipt forever, but try to save them for larger purchases. Many retailers make this easy through online accounts, emailed receipts, or purchase histories you can access later.
Take a moment to review your coverage. Understand your coverage before disaster strikes. Note of your deductible, coverage limits, and exclusions now can help prevent surprises later. For example, knowing if your policy pays actual cash value or replacement cost can help you know what to expect from a settlement.
Report losses as soon as possible. The sooner you notify your insurance company, the easier it may be to investigate the loss, gather evidence, and process your claim.
Keep a folder of everything related to your claim. Save claim numbers, emails, receipts, photos, repair estimates, and notes from conversations with your adjuster. Having everything organized can make the process much smoother if questions arise later.
Another way to save: Bundle auto and renters insurance
Renters insurance claim process FAQs
How long does it take for renters insurance to pay out?
You should hear from your insurance company within 10 business days. That doesn’t mean you’ll receive your payout that soon, but you should at least know that it’s being looked into at that point. In some states, your insurance company has 30 days to decide if your claim is approved or not.
Should I file a renters insurance claim for minor damage?
It truly depends on what your deductible is and whether you’re at risk of having your premiums increase if you file a claim. If the damage is small enough that you could comfortably cover the repair or replacement — or if the damage is around the same amount as your deductible — it may not be worth it.
Do I need a police report to file a renters insurance claim?
You may need a police or fire department report to turn in your claim if the incident is a result of theft, vandalism, or a fire. If you haven’t filed a report and are wondering if you need one, call your insurance company and ask.
Will filing a renters insurance claim raise my rates?
It’s very normal for your insurance rates to go up after filing any type of claim, including a renters insurance claim. How much your rates are affected (if at all) will likely depend on the company you choose, the type of claim, and the size of the loss.
Does my landlord need to be involved?
You may need to involve your landlord in a renters insurance claim if the building itself is also damaged. For example, if your upstairs neighbor’s kitchen caught fire and it damaged part of your unit, your landlord will likely need to file their own insurance claim too. But if your bike was stolen off the front porch and nothing else was damaged, they likely don’t need to know about it.
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