Last updated: July 28, 2026
Leave first if the home is unsafe. Call 911 for fire, injury, a gas smell, live wires, structural collapse, or another immediate danger. Do not enter a flooded, burned, or storm-damaged home until local officials say it is safe.
Bottom line: Insurance is usually the first source of money for covered home damage. File the claim quickly, photograph everything before cleanup, prevent more damage when it is safe, save every receipt, and get important decisions in writing. If insurance denies the loss or does not cover all essential repairs, FEMA assistance, an SBA disaster loan, local recovery programs, housing counseling, or legal help may fill part of the gap.
A disaster claim is not the same as a home repair grant. Homeowners, flood, wind, fire, earthquake, or other insurance pays an insurance benefit under the terms of a policy. FEMA may provide a limited disaster grant after a qualifying federal declaration. The U.S. Small Business Administration may offer a repayable disaster loan.
Your policy, state law, type of damage, deductible, mortgage status, and disaster declaration control what happens next. The safest approach is to keep one written record for insurance, FEMA, SBA, contractors, inspectors, and any appeal.
On this page
| Your situation | First contact | Type of help | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind, fire, hail, theft, or another possibly covered loss | Your insurance company or agent | Insurance benefit | Coverage, exclusions, deductible, and settlement method come from the policy. |
| Water rose from outside and entered the home | Your flood insurer | Flood insurance benefit | Most standard homeowners policies do not cover flooding. Flood claims have strict proof and appeal rules. |
| Home is unsafe after a federally declared disaster | FEMA and your insurer | Limited disaster grant or direct help | FEMA does not replace insurance and does not restore every home to its pre-disaster condition. |
| Repair cost is higher than insurance and FEMA help | SBA disaster assistance | Low-interest loan | This is debt that must be repaid. Deadlines and rates are set for each disaster. |
| Insurer is delaying, denying, or not explaining the claim | Insurer supervisor, then state insurance department | Review, complaint, or regulatory help | A regulator can review claim handling but does not guarantee payment. |
What to do during the first day
- Protect people first. Follow evacuation orders. Avoid floodwater, unstable walls, damaged electrical systems, and unsafe generators.
- Report the loss. Contact every policy that may apply, such as homeowners, flood, windstorm, earthquake, or vehicle insurance. Ask for a claim number.
- Document before cleanup. Take wide photos, close photos, and video of each room, the outside, damaged systems, and damaged belongings. Record serial numbers when safe.
- Prevent more damage. Cover a roof opening, board a broken window, shut off water, or move undamaged items when this can be done safely. These are temporary protective steps, not full permanent repairs.
- Save damaged evidence. Do not throw out damaged material before the insurer can inspect it unless it is a health hazard or officials require removal. Photograph it first and keep samples when practical.
- Save every receipt. Keep receipts for tarps, pumps, cleanup, temporary lodging, extra meals, laundry, storage, pet boarding, and emergency repairs.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has a national post-disaster claims guide. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also explains how to protect your finances after a disaster.
Phone script: opening an insurance claim
“My home at [address] was damaged on [date] by [storm, fire, flood, or other event]. I need to open a claim. Please give me the claim number, the adjuster’s contact information, my deductible, any deadline I must meet, and written instructions for emergency repairs, damaged property, and temporary living expenses.”
Which insurance coverage may pay for repairs
Homeowners or dwelling coverage
Dwelling coverage may pay to repair the structure after a covered cause of loss, such as fire, wind, hail, or a fallen tree. It may also cover attached parts of the home. Other structures, personal belongings, debris removal, trees, code upgrades, and water damage may have separate limits or exclusions.
Coverage depends on what caused the damage, not only what was damaged. For example, a policy may cover sudden water damage from a burst pipe but exclude long-term leaks, poor maintenance, sewer backup, or water entering from an outside flood. Ask the insurer to identify the exact policy language that applies.
Flood, wind, and earthquake coverage
Most standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage, and earthquake damage usually requires separate coverage. Coastal or high-risk areas may also use separate windstorm policies, hurricane deductibles, or state insurance plans. If wind and flood both damaged the home, report the loss to both insurers and keep separate claim numbers.
Use the state insurance department directory to find your regulator, verify an insurer or adjuster, and ask which coverage rules apply in your state.
Additional living expenses
If a covered loss makes the home unfit to live in, “loss of use” or additional living expense coverage may help with the added cost of a hotel, rental, meals, laundry, transportation, storage, or pet care. It usually pays the extra cost above normal household spending, subject to policy limits and time limits.
Ask before committing to a long hotel stay or lease. Keep itemized receipts and a simple log showing what you normally spend and what the disaster added.
How home insurance claim payments work
| Claim term | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Deductible | The part of the covered loss you pay. | Some policies use a flat amount. Wind, hail, hurricane, or earthquake deductibles may be a percentage. |
| Actual cash value | Replacement cost minus depreciation for age and condition. | The first check may be lower than the contractor’s replacement price. |
| Replacement cost | The covered cost to repair or replace with similar materials at current prices. | You may have to complete repairs and submit invoices before receiving withheld depreciation. |
| Recoverable depreciation | Money held back until covered property is repaired or replaced. | Ask for the deadline and documents needed to claim it. |
| Policy limit | The most the policy pays for a category of coverage. | Sub-limits may apply to trees, jewelry, code upgrades, mold, debris, or temporary living expenses. |
| Supplement | A request for more payment when covered work was missed or costs more than estimated. | Use photos, an itemized contractor estimate, invoices, and a written explanation. |
The CFPB explains the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value in its guide to home insurance payouts. Read the adjuster’s estimate line by line. Look for missing rooms, wrong measurements, low material quality, omitted demolition, debris hauling, drying, permits, taxes, or required code work.
Do not assume the first check is the final payment. Large claims often involve several payments. Ask whether the payment is an advance, actual cash value payment, replacement-cost payment, contents payment, living-expense payment, or final settlement.
How to document and file a strong claim
Create one claim folder, paper or digital. Put the claim number on every document. Keep copies of what you send and proof of when it was sent.
- Full policy, declarations page, and endorsements
- Claim number and adjuster contact information
- Photos and videos before cleanup and after temporary repairs
- Room-by-room list of damaged belongings
- Receipts, warranties, credit card records, or old photos showing ownership
- Emergency repair invoices and temporary living expense receipts
- Building department, fire department, utility, or engineer reports
- Itemized estimates from licensed contractors
- Every letter, email, text, estimate, payment explanation, and denial
- A call log with date, time, name, phone number, and what was promised
Ask the insurer whether it requires a sworn proof of loss, inventory form, recorded statement, examination under oath, or specific contractor estimates. These requests can carry deadlines. Never guess on a form. Write “unknown” when accurate, then update the insurer when you confirm the answer.
Practical tip: Send important questions in writing. After a phone call, email a short summary: “This confirms that you said…” Ask the representative to correct anything that is wrong.
For a broader paperwork list, see documents needed for repair help.
Adjusters, contractors, permits, and mortgage companies
An insurance-company adjuster or independent adjuster working for the insurer evaluates the claim for the insurer. A public adjuster represents the policyholder and usually charges a fee or percentage of the settlement. Public-adjuster licensing, contracts, cancellation rights, and fee limits vary by state. Verify the license through your state insurance department before signing.
You may choose a contractor, subject to policy and local rules. Get two or three written estimates when possible. The estimate should list measurements, materials, labor, permits, cleanup, start and finish dates, payment stages, and warranties. The CFPB provides practical guidance for hiring disaster contractors.
Ask the local building department whether the work requires a permit and inspection. Insurance may cover some required code upgrades only if the policy includes ordinance-or-law coverage. Our guide to home repair permits explains common permit questions.
If you have a mortgage, the insurer may place both your name and the mortgage servicer’s name on the check. The servicer may hold the money in a repair account and release it in stages after inspections. You still owe the mortgage unless the servicer approves a payment arrangement.
Phone script: insurance check held by a mortgage servicer
“I received an insurance payment for disaster repairs. Please send me your written loss-draft process, required forms, contractor documents, inspection stages, payment schedule, and the name of the team handling my file. Please also explain how I can request an initial payment for emergency work.”
Do not sign away control without advice. An assignment of benefits, direction-to-pay form, power of attorney, public-adjuster contract, or contractor financing agreement can affect who controls the claim or payment. Ask your insurer, state regulator, housing counselor, or legal aid office to explain it before you sign.
Flood insurance claims need separate attention
If outside water flooded the home, contact the flood insurer immediately even when a major disaster has not been declared. You may file a claim before returning to the property. Photograph water lines, rooms, appliances, flooring, walls, foundations, and damaged contents before removal.
The National Flood Insurance Program’s claims checklist tells policyholders to report the loss quickly, document damage, keep conversation logs, review the adjuster’s estimate, and submit required supporting documents within the policy deadline. The Standard Flood Insurance Policy normally requires a signed proof of loss within 60 days of the flood unless FEMA extends or changes the deadline for that event. Ask the insurer for the exact date in writing.
A flood claim may pay differently from a homeowners claim. Building and contents coverage are separate, with separate deductibles. Basement coverage is limited. Personal property is generally paid at actual cash value. Coverage is controlled by the flood policy, not by what a homeowners contractor or agent assumes.
If the flood insurer denies all or part of the claim, first ask the adjuster and insurer to correct missed facts or documents. You may then use FEMA’s flood claim appeal process. The appeal window is 60 calendar days from the date on the written denial. Filing an appeal does not extend the separate one-year lawsuit deadline described by the NFIP, so seek legal advice quickly when a large claim remains disputed.
What to do when insurance is not enough
FEMA Individual Assistance
FEMA may help with uninsured or underinsured disaster-related needs only after a federal disaster declaration includes Individual Assistance for your area. It is a limited disaster grant or direct service, not insurance and not payment for every repair. FEMA generally focuses on making a primary home safe, sanitary, and functional.
Do not wait for the insurance claim to finish if the FEMA deadline is approaching. Apply, report all insurance, and later provide the settlement, denial, deductible information, or written proof of delay. FEMA cannot pay twice for the same loss. If insurance later pays an expense FEMA already covered, repayment may be required.
Apply through DisasterAssistance.gov, the FEMA app, by calling 1-800-621-3362, or at a Disaster Recovery Center. See our detailed FEMA home repair guide and FEMA application walkthrough.
SBA home disaster loans
SBA help is a loan that must be repaid. As of this review, homeowners in an eligible declared disaster area may apply for up to $500,000 to repair or replace a primary residence. Homeowners and renters may apply for up to $100,000 for damaged personal property. Insurance and other recovery money can reduce the eligible loan amount.
The official SBA physical damage page says terms may extend up to 30 years, the first payment is deferred for 12 months, and interest does not accrue during the first 12 months. The rate depends on the declaration and whether SBA decides you can obtain credit elsewhere. Call 1-800-659-2955 or use 711 for relay service.
Our SBA disaster loan guide explains deadlines, documents, repayment, and mitigation increases.
Housing counseling and legal help
A HUD-participating housing counselor provides counseling and referral help, not repair money. A counselor may help with mortgage payments, insurance-check problems, repair financing, or foreclosure risk. Use HUD’s housing counselor search or call 1-800-569-4287.
Free or low-cost legal help may be available for insurance disputes, contractor fraud, title problems, FEMA appeals, or foreclosure. Disaster Legal Services is activated only for some federally declared disasters and generally serves people who cannot afford legal help. Use the disaster legal help finder to locate current assistance.
For non-disaster repair programs, start with our national guide to home repair assistance.
If the claim is delayed, denied, or too low
| Problem | Ask for | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| No adjuster or long silence | Written status, assigned contact, and the state claim-handling deadline | Escalate to a supervisor, then ask the state insurance department for help. |
| Payment is lower than the repair estimate | Line-by-line estimate, depreciation calculation, deductible, and policy basis | Submit a contractor estimate and written supplement request. |
| Damage was omitted | Reinspection or desk review | Send dated photos, measurements, expert reports, and contractor scope. |
| Claim was denied | Written denial naming the policy provision and appeal or review rights | Challenge errors in writing; consider a regulator complaint or legal help. |
| Contractor found hidden damage | Approval process for supplemental work | Stop before covering the area and notify the adjuster with photos and an estimate. |
| FEMA says insurance information is missing | A written status or settlement letter from the insurer | Upload the denial, settlement breakdown, deductible, or delay proof to FEMA. |
Phone script: asking for a claim supplement
“The insurer’s estimate does not include [item or room], and my licensed contractor’s itemized estimate is [amount]. Please tell me how to submit a supplement, whether you will reinspect, and which policy terms or pricing support the current amount. Please send the answer in writing.”
Start with the insurer’s claims supervisor or formal review process. Keep the dispute focused on policy language, cause of loss, measurements, scope, price, and supporting documents. Do not inflate the claim or include undamaged property.
If the insurer still does not explain or resolve the problem, file a free complaint with your state insurance department. The NAIC explains how insurance complaints work. Include the policy, claim number, timeline, disputed amount, denial, estimates, photos, and the outcome you want.
A complaint is not a lawsuit and may not stop a contractual or legal deadline. Large losses, total losses, engineering disputes, bad-faith concerns, or approaching lawsuit deadlines may require a licensed attorney. If FEMA—not the insurer—denied assistance, use our guide on what to do after a FEMA denial.
Disaster repair scams and unsafe financing
Slow down before signing. Disaster scammers may pose as adjusters, FEMA workers, roofers, debris crews, charities, or lenders. Government workers do not charge a fee to apply for FEMA assistance.
- Do not pay the full repair price before work begins.
- Do not sign a blank contract or sign over an insurance check.
- Do not use a contractor who refuses to show a license, insurance, address, and written scope.
- Do not let a contractor tell you to exaggerate damage. That can be insurance fraud.
- Do not borrow from a contractor’s preferred lender until you compare the rate, fees, lien, monthly payment, and total repayment.
- Do not give a stranger your FEMA login, bank password, Social Security number, or policy access.
The Federal Trade Commission explains how to avoid disaster scams. For more warning signs, read our guide to home repair scams.
A practical seven-day claim plan
- Today: Report every possible claim, photograph damage, and make temporary safety repairs.
- Within 24 hours: Start a receipt folder and call log. Ask about housing, food, cleanup, and emergency-repair coverage.
- Before inspection: Prepare a room-by-room damage list and copies of key photos.
- After inspection: Ask when the written estimate and coverage decision will arrive.
- Before hiring: Verify licenses, insurance, permits, and at least two written estimates when possible.
- When payment arrives: Identify what the check covers, whether depreciation is withheld, and whether a mortgage servicer must endorse or release it.
- If there is a gap: Request a supplement, apply for FEMA before its deadline, check SBA loan terms, and contact the state regulator or legal help when needed.
Frequently asked questions
Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?
Most standard homeowners policies do not cover flooding caused by rising outside water. Flood coverage usually comes from a separate National Flood Insurance Program or private flood policy. Report wind and flood damage to the correct insurers because more than one policy may apply.
Can I start repairs before the adjuster arrives?
You should take reasonable temporary steps to prevent more damage, such as covering an opening or stopping a leak, when it is safe. Photograph the damage first, save receipts, and keep damaged materials when practical. Ask the insurer before permanent repairs unless waiting would create a safety risk or more damage.
What if the insurance check includes my mortgage company?
Contact the mortgage servicer’s loss-draft department. The servicer may endorse the check, hold the money in a repair account, and release payments as work passes inspections. Ask for the full process, forms, inspection stages, and payment schedule in writing.
Can FEMA help if I have insurance?
Possibly. FEMA cannot duplicate an insurance payment, but it may help with eligible uninsured or underinsured disaster needs after a declaration that includes Individual Assistance. Apply before the FEMA deadline and provide the insurance settlement, denial, deductible, or written proof of delay.
What can I do if the insurance payment is too low?
Compare the insurer’s estimate with an itemized contractor estimate. Identify missing work, wrong measurements, pricing differences, depreciation, and code requirements. Ask for a reinspection or supplement in writing. If the dispute continues, contact the state insurance department or legal help.
Is SBA disaster help a grant?
No. SBA home and personal property disaster assistance is a loan that must be repaid. It may cover eligible disaster losses not fully covered by insurance or other sources. Review the interest rate, monthly payment, collateral, total repayment, and deadline before accepting it.
About This Guide
How we researched this page: We checked official federal, state, local, tribal, utility, and trusted nonprofit sources linked in this article. We reviewed program names, service areas, eligibility rules, application routes, contact details, and whether each option is a grant, loan, rebate, service, or referral.
Our role: HomeRepairGrants.org is an independent information website. We do not run these programs, accept applications, choose recipients, or guarantee funding or approval.
Local changes: Funding, waitlists, service areas, income limits, and application periods can change. Confirm current details with the organization that runs the program before you apply, sign papers, pay money, or start repair work.
Corrections: See something outdated or incorrect? Email info@homerepairgrants.org and include the page URL and a reliable source when possible.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information. It is not legal, financial, tax, insurance, medical, disability-rights, contractor, or government-agency advice.
Last verified: July 28, 2026 | Next review: October 28, 2026