Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

How does filing a claim affect home insurance?

Last night our home took some damage during a storm. I think we can easily afford to pay for the repairs out of pocket, but my husband is adamant that we should file a claim with Liberty Mutual instead. What would you recommend? How does filing a claim affect home insurance?

avatar
Matt Terzi · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
We’re sorry to hear your home was damaged in this storm, and we’re glad no one was hurt. This is an important question, and unfortunately, it’s one you need to answer as quickly as possible.
Filing a claim with
Liberty Mutual
or any other insurance provider doesn’t necessarily mean your rates will go up, but they most certainly can. There are lots of factors that determine whether your rates will increase or not:
  • Your claims history—how often you’ve filed claims and when those claims were filed
  • Whether or not you’ve utilized
    home liability coverage
  • What sort of claim is being filed
  • The extent and the costs of the damage
  • Your city and state, and the location of your property specifically, can all factor in as well
Weather events are less likely to trigger a rate adjustment than some other types of claims, like cases involving crime or flood damage. But major weather events and disasters can lead to everyone’s rates going up in that area, too. Hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes can cause widespread damage that raises the rates of everyone affected.
If the damage is minor and you can afford to pay the damages out of pocket without being inconvenienced, it might be safer than potentially seeing your rates raised. But you’ll want to discuss this with your husband and your insurance provider, and explain you don’t want to file a claim unless you have to.
Homeowner’s insurance
usually isn’t cheap, so it’s a good idea to review your policy at least once per year and comparison shop to find the best rates.
Jerry
, a
trusted and fully-licensed insurance broker
, is here to help with that.
Jerry works with over 50 of America’s top insurance providers to find you quotes in as little as 45 seconds. Millions of people have used Jerry to save an average of more than $800 per year on
car insurance
alone—it’s just one of the many reasons Jerry is America’s #1 top-rated insurance app. Give it a try today!
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings