How long do I have to file a home insurance claim?

Report as soon as reasonably possible. Your formal proof of loss is often due within about 90 days, and the deadline to sue is generally around two years — but both vary, so confirm with your insurer and, for legal deadlines, a lawyer in your province.

Should I clean up before the adjuster arrives?

Only enough to prevent further damage, and document everything first. Throwing out damaged items before they're seen can undercut your claim — keep them, or keep samples and photos if disposal is unavoidable.

What is additional living expenses (ALE) coverage?

It reimburses the extra costs of living elsewhere when your home is uninhabitable after a covered loss — hotels, meals above normal, and similar. Keep every receipt.

Can I dispute the adjuster's estimate?

Yes. The adjuster's number is a starting position. Put your disagreement in writing, support it with your own contractor estimates, and escalate to the GIO if you can't resolve it.

Does filing a home claim raise my premium?

It often can, or cost a claims-free discount. For small losses near your deductible, paying out of pocket can be cheaper — the Deductible Optimizer runs that math.

Home insurance claim: the first 30 days

What to do in the first 30 days after home damage: document before cleanup, meet deadlines, and push back on a lowball or denial.

The first 24 hours

Stop further damage — turn off the water, board up, cover a roof — because most policies require you to mitigate. Keep everyone safe, and photograph and video everything before you clean up or throw anything out. Don't discard damaged items until the adjuster has seen them; if you must discard for health reasons, keep samples and detailed photos. Emergency repairs to prevent more damage are usually covered, so keep those receipts.

Within the first few days

Report the loss to your insurer, get a claim number, and ask exactly what they need and by when. Start a dated log: every call, who you spoke to, and what was said. If your home is uninhabitable, keep receipts for hotels, meals, and other extra costs — that's what additional living expenses (ALE) coverage reimburses.

Build your evidence

The homeowner who documents well is the one who gets paid fairly. Assemble:

A room-by-room inventory of damaged property with approximate ages and values.
Photos and video of the damage and of undamaged high-value items.
Receipts, manuals, or credit-card records that prove ownership and value.
A copy of your declarations page showing your limits and endorsements.

The adjuster visit

Be present, walk the adjuster through the loss, and hand over your inventory. The adjuster works for the insurer, so their scope and valuation are a starting position, not the final word. If you disagree with the estimate or the scope of repairs, say so in writing and explain why.

Common denial reasons — and how to respond

Reason given	How to respond
Water damage excluded (no sewer-backup or overland-flood endorsement)	If you didn't buy the endorsement it may be a real coverage gap; if you did, cite the wording.
"Gradual damage / poor maintenance"	Push back if the loss was sudden and accidental; get a contractor's opinion on cause.
Under-insurance / coinsurance penalty	Verify the insurer's valuation and the coinsurance clause; challenge an inflated rebuild figure.
Vacancy or home-business exclusion	Confirm the facts — these exclusions are narrow and often misapplied.

If you're denied or lowballed

Request the specific policy wording relied on, then submit a written complaint to the insurer's complaints officer. If that fails, escalate to the General Insurance OmbudService (GIO) — free and independent — and then to your provincial regulator. For large or complex losses, a licensed public adjuster or a lawyer can pay for themselves. The Fight-Back Kit has template letters for each step.

Deadlines

Your proof of loss is usually due within a set window (often 90 days) — meet it or ask for an extension in writing. The limitation period to sue is generally around two years, but it varies by province and facts; confirm yours with a lawyer before relying on any date.

Need the letters?

Open the Fight-Back Kit templates →

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to file a home insurance claim?: Report as soon as reasonably possible. Your formal proof of loss is often due within about 90 days, and the deadline to sue is generally around two years — but both vary, so confirm with your insurer and, for legal deadlines, a lawyer in your province.
Should I clean up before the adjuster arrives?: Only enough to prevent further damage, and document everything first. Throwing out damaged items before they're seen can undercut your claim — keep them, or keep samples and photos if disposal is unavoidable.
What is additional living expenses (ALE) coverage?: It reimburses the extra costs of living elsewhere when your home is uninhabitable after a covered loss — hotels, meals above normal, and similar. Keep every receipt.
Can I dispute the adjuster's estimate?: Yes. The adjuster's number is a starting position. Put your disagreement in writing, support it with your own contractor estimates, and escalate to the GIO if you can't resolve it.
Does filing a home claim raise my premium?: It often can, or cost a claims-free discount. For small losses near your deductible, paying out of pocket can be cheaper — the Deductible Optimizer runs that math.

Sources

Educational only — not legal advice. Deadlines vary by province and require confirmation.

Educational only — not legal advice. Deadlines vary by province and are being confirmed with legal review; verify yours. For large or complex disputes, involve a lawyer early. Robert is a mascot, not an advisor.

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