The Insurance Claim Timeline: What to Expect at Each Stage
Filing and assignment (Days 1-3)
You report the loss to your insurance company by phone, app, or online portal. You receive a claim number and are assigned an adjuster, usually within 24-48 hours. During this time, take immediate steps to prevent further damage, which is required by your policy.
Begin water mitigation, board up openings, or place tarps as needed. Start documenting all damage with photos and video. Keep receipts for any emergency expenses.
Inspection and assessment (Days 3-14)
Your adjuster schedules and conducts an inspection of the damage. Be present during the inspection and walk the adjuster through every affected area. Point out damage they might miss, especially in hidden areas like inside cabinets, behind appliances, or in attics.
The adjuster takes measurements and photos to build the estimate. In busy periods after major storms, the inspection may take longer. Follow up if it is not scheduled within a week.
Estimate and initial payment (Days 14-30)
The adjuster completes the XactimateHow Insurance Estimates Work: Xactimate Explained for HomeownersNearly every insurance repair estimate in the United States is created using Xactimate, a specialized software program. Understanding how Xactimate...
Read more → estimate and issues the initial payment, which is the ACV amount minus your deductibleUnderstanding Your Insurance DeductibleYour deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage begins. Deductibles can be a flat dollar amount or a percentage ...
Read more →. Review the estimate line by line when you receive it. Compare it to the actual damage and note any missing items.
This is the best time to identify gaps in the scope because it is easier to add items before construction begins than after. If the estimate seems significantly low, consider getting a contractor review or consulting a public adjusterWhen Should You Hire a Public Adjuster for Your Insurance Claim?A public adjuster is a licensed professional who represents you, the homeowner, in your insurance claim. Unlike the company adjuster who works for ...
Read more →.
Repairs and supplements (Weeks 4-16)
Once you accept the estimate and select a contractor, repairs begin. During demolition and construction, additional damage is often discovered. Your contractor documents these findings and submits supplemental estimates to the adjuster.
SupplementWhat Is a Supplemental Claim and When to File OneA supplemental claim is a request to add items to your existing insurance estimate after the original scope was written. Supplements are standard i...
Read more → approvals typically take 1-3 weeks. Material ordering, contractor scheduling, and permit processing all affect the timeline. Kitchen and bathroom repairs commonly take 8-16 weeks from start to finish.
Completion and final settlement (After repairs)
When repairs are complete, submit all invoices and receipts to your insurer. If you have an RCV policy, this triggers the depreciation holdbackDepreciation Holdback: Recovering the Rest of Your SettlementIf your insurance settlement uses Replacement Cost Value (RCV), your first check may only cover the depreciated value of your property. The rest, c...
Read more → release. Review the final settlement amount to confirm all approved items are paid.
The insurer has a set number of days to issue the final payment, which varies by state. If there are any disputes remaining, this is the time to pursue them through the appraisal process or other formal channels.
See how this applies to your property
Upload photos of your damage and get a detailed analysis showing exactly where your estimate may fall short.