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Claim guides

Written for policyholders in the middle of a claim, not lawyers. General information — your policy and state rules control.

Space heater fire: the insurance claim, step by step

Fire is covered even when the heater was yours — the fire report, smoke damage, ALE and the documentation that closes the claim.

Burst water heater: filing the insurance claim right

The sudden-vs-gradual trap, why the tank itself isn't covered, and the first-hours documentation that gets the claim paid.

Hurricane claim: the first 30 days

Document, protect, meet the adjuster, race the paperwork — a step-by-step plan for the month after landfall.

Roof damage claim after a storm

Documenting from the ground, AOB traps, repair vs replace, roof depreciation — the most disputed claim, handled.

ALE: the insurance money families forget to collect

Hotel, meals, laundry, mileage — what Loss of Use coverage pays, and why receipts decide everything.

RCV vs ACV: why your first check is smaller

Depreciation, recoverable depreciation, deadlines — how to collect the second half of your payout.

How long does a home insurance claim take?

The realistic stage-by-stage timeline, what's a normal delay vs a stall, and what actually speeds claims up.

When to hire a public adjuster (and when not to)

What ~10% of your payout buys, the free escalation ladder to try first, and the red flags.

Frozen pipe & burst pipe water damage claim

The first 24 hours, what adjusters need, ACV vs RCV, and the neglect denials that sink frozen-pipe claims.

Ice dam & roof snow load claim

What's covered vs excluded, documenting interior stains and roof photos, safety, estimates and timeline.

Before the disaster: home inventory & first-48-hours guides from ItemVault, our companion app.