The losses homeowners face most often
Water damage is the most common household claim in many countries, followed by storm, theft and fire. Less frequent but far more costly are floods, earthquakes, landslides and subsidence caused by drought. Each peril has its own evidence, policy conditions and typical disagreements, which is why each has a dedicated guide here.
- Fire, smoke and explosion damage
- Escape of water, leaks and hidden water damage
- Storm, hail and wind damage to roofs and facades
- Flooding and natural disaster events
- Burglary, theft and vandalism
- Electrical damage to appliances and installations
- Subsidence, cracks and clay shrinkage
Insurer's assessor or your own expert
For anything beyond a small claim, the insurer usually sends a loss adjuster or claims expert to inspect and value the damage. That person is paid by the insurer. You are free to appoint your own independent expert, known in different countries as a public adjuster, loss assessor or policyholder's expert, who prepares your claim and discusses the figures with the insurer's side.
What gets measured in a home claim
Valuation covers the building itself (structure, finishes, fixed installations), the contents, and often additional costs such as temporary accommodation, emergency measures, debris removal and professional fees. Settlement may be on a new-for-old or depreciated basis depending on the policy. Underinsurance, wear and tear and pre-existing damage are the deductions most often debated.
Signs that independent help may be worthwhile
An independent expert is generally most useful when the loss is large, when the cause is disputed, when the insurer's offer seems to leave out items, or when you simply lack the time to manage contractors, inventories and negotiations after a traumatic event. For a modest, clear-cut claim, handling it yourself is often enough.
Using the guides in this section
Choose the page that matches the cause of the damage first. If several perils are involved, for example a storm followed by water ingress, read both guides, because the cause can decide which cover applies. For a general overview of household cover, the home insurance property damage guide is a good entry point. Fee pages explain how independent experts charge for each type of claim.
Practical steps in the first days
Make the property safe, limit further damage, photograph everything before cleaning, keep damaged items unless told otherwise, and record every conversation with the insurer. Ask for any refusal or reduction in writing with the policy clause relied on.
Tenants, landlords and co-owners
Home claims become more complicated when several people hold an interest in the same property. In a flat, the building is often insured by the owners' association or freeholder, while each occupant insures their own contents and improvements. A leak from one unit to another can involve three or four policies. Landlords insure the structure and sometimes loss of rent, while tenants cover their belongings and their liability towards the owner.
Identifying early which policy covers which part of the damage avoids months of back-and-forth. Ask each insurer for confirmation in writing, share photographs with all parties, and keep a single list of damaged items showing who owns what. An independent expert can be particularly useful here, coordinating the various adjusters around one set of measurements and costings.
- Burglary, theft and vandalism claims: how the assessment really works
- Cracks and structural damage: getting the cause, and the claim, right
- Drought and clay shrinkage: assessing subsidence claims on reactive soils
- Drought Expert Witness
- Expert fees for drought and clay shrinkage subsidence claims
- Expert fees for real estate claims: landlords, blocks and commercial buildings
- Fees for structural crack and building damage claims: a cost guide
- Fire and explosion claims: the role of the specialist expert
- Fire Expert Witness
- Home insurance claims: what an independent expert charges and why
- Home insurance damage claims: assessment, evidence and expert support
- How much does a claims expert cost after a fire or explosion?
- Natural disaster claims: how experts assess catastrophe losses
- Natural Disaster Expert Witness: Proving Cause and Value After a Catastrophe
- Paying a claims expert after a natural disaster: fees and pitfalls
- Property owner claims: expert assessment for real estate losses
- Real Estate Expert Witness in the US and UK: Valuation, Conduct and Coverage
- Storm and hail damage claims: inspection, evidence and disputes
- Storm and hail damage: what an independent expert charges
- Theft, Robbery and Burglary Expert Witness
- Water and Flooding Expert Witnesses: Proving Cause and Loss in Three Markets
- Water damage claims: from the first leak to a fair settlement
- Water damage claims: how much an independent expert costs
- What it costs to hire an expert for a burglary, theft or vandalism claim
Organisations offering this service
- Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA): Chartered UK professional body for claims and loss adjusting professionals, responsible for training, qualifications and standards across the claims profession.
- Aspray: UK network of loss assessors handling and negotiating insurance claims on behalf of policyholders, notably after fire, flood and escape-of-water damage.
- Financial Ombudsman Service: Official free dispute resolution service in the United Kingdom, handling complaints from policyholders against insurers, including disputed or rejected insurance claims.
- Noble Public Adjusting Group: Public adjusting firm operating nationwide across the United States, advocating for policyholders on residential and commercial property insurance claims.
External links provided for information only; check the terms directly with each organisation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start repairs before the assessor's visit?
Urgent work to stop further damage is normally expected. For larger repairs, wait for the insurer's agreement or keep thorough evidence of the damage first.
Does hiring my own expert slow down the claim?
Not necessarily. A well-prepared claim with a clear inventory and costing can make discussions faster, although disputed files naturally take longer.
What if the insurer says the damage is wear and tear?
Ask for the reasoning in writing and consider an independent technical opinion on the cause. That is a common point where expert evidence matters.
Open the guide for your type of damage below; expertdassure.com explains the process without pushing you towards any provider.