When you file a home insurance claims, a formal request to your insurance provider for financial compensation after damage to your home. Also known as property insurance claims, these are your lifeline when disaster strikes—whether it’s a burst pipe, a collapsed roof, or hidden foundation damage. But here’s the truth: not every problem gets paid for. Many people assume their policy covers everything, only to find out later that the leak under their foundation or the mold behind the walls isn’t included.
That’s where things get messy. For example, homeowners insurance, a policy designed to protect your home and belongings from unexpected damage. Also known as house insurance, it typically pays for water damage caused by a sudden pipe break—but not the broken pipe itself. So if a pipe under your slab cracks because it’s old and corroded, you’re on the hook for the repair. But if that same pipe bursts and floods your living room, the cleanup and floor replacement? That’s usually covered. Same goes for plumbing damage, issues with pipes, drains, or water systems that lead to leaks or flooding. It’s the cause that matters, not the result. Insurance companies look at whether the damage was sudden and accidental. Slow leaks? Neglect? Wear and tear? Those are your problem.
Then there’s foundation repair, work done to fix cracks, settling, or shifting in a home’s base structure. Also known as structural repair, it’s one of the most expensive fixes you can face. Most policies won’t cover it unless it’s caused by something sudden like a tree falling on your house or a burst water line that washes away the soil beneath your foundation. If your foundation cracked because the ground dried out over months? That’s considered gradual damage. Not covered. And if you’ve had previous claims for the same issue? You might even get dropped.
And don’t forget insurance coverage, the specific parts of your home and belongings your policy agrees to protect. Also known as policy limits, this isn’t one-size-fits-all. Two people with the same insurer can have wildly different coverage based on their policy type, location, and claims history. Some policies exclude mold entirely. Others cap how much they’ll pay for water damage. A few even require you to install sump pumps or backflow valves just to qualify for coverage.
You can’t just file a claim and expect a check. You need proof. Photos. Reports. Receipts. Sometimes, even an inspection from a licensed contractor. And if your claim gets denied, you’ve got to know how to appeal it—because most people give up too soon.
Below, you’ll find real-world breakdowns of what actually gets paid out, what gets turned down, and how to protect yourself before the next disaster hits. No fluff. No jargon. Just what you need to know to make sense of your policy—and get the money you’re owed.
