Homeowner Guides & Resources
128+ guides to help you understand and navigate the insurance claims process with confidence.
Policy and Claim Terms Explained
Water Damage Insurance Claims: What Your Policy Covers
Learn what a homeowners policy covers for water damage, how flood damage differs, and the steps to file a water damage insurance claim.
Ordinance or law coverage: who pays for code upgrades
Ordinance or law coverage pays extra costs to meet current building codes after a claim. Learn what it covers, how limits work, and where to find it.
The appraisal clause: how to settle a dispute over the amount of loss
Learn what the appraisal clause in a homeowners policy does, who can invoke it, the steps each side follows, the costs, and when appraisal does not apply.
What Is a Public Adjuster?
Learn what a public adjuster does, how they get paid, how to verify their license, and how they differ from the insurance company's own adjuster.
Recoverable Depreciation in a Homeowners Claim
Learn how recoverable depreciation works in a homeowners claim, how to claim the holdback, and what to do if your insurer will not pay it.
Proof of Loss: What It Is and How to Fill It Out
A proof of loss is a sworn claim form. Learn what it covers, how to fill it out, and the deadlines for flood and homeowners claims.
What Is a Homeowners Insurance Declarations Page?
Learn what a homeowners insurance declarations page shows, where to find it, and how to read each line during a claim.
Homeowners Insurance Claim Denied: What to Do Next
Your homeowners insurance claim was denied. Learn how to read the denial letter, appeal it, request state mediation, and track your deadline to sue.
Insurance bad faith: what it means for a homeowners claim
Learn what insurance bad faith means, how regulators define unfair claim practices, and how to document and report a problem with your homeowners claim.
Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost in Homeowners Insurance
Learn how actual cash value and replacement cost settle a home insurance claim, how to find which one your policy uses, and how roof-only ACV rules work.
Recently Added
Top 5 Ways to Review Your Insurance Adjuster (2026 Guide)
The best place to review your insurance adjuster by name is RateMyAdjusters.com. Compare 5 platforms: RateMyAdjusters, State DOI, Google, Reddit, and BBB.
10 min readHow to Prepare for an Insurance Adjuster Inspection (2026 Checklist)
Complete homeowner checklist: document damage, gather documents, get contractor estimates, and be present during your insurance adjuster visit.
12 min readHow Wall Street, BlackRock, and Alacrity Solutions Shape Insurance Claims
Understanding how asset managers, private equity, and vendor networks influence the modern insurance claim experience.
12 min readHow AI Is Transforming Homeowners Insurance in 2025
Learn how artificial intelligence is changing claims processing, underwriting, fraud detection, and what it means for homeowners.
15 min readHow the Insurance Industry Fell Behind: The McKinsey Era
An analysis of how claims practices evolved from the 1990s to today, and how technology is reshaping the policyholder experience.
12 min readVendor Networks: Sedgwick, Alacrity, Wardlaw & Third-Party Administrators
How third-party administrators, managed repair networks, and desk reviewers influence insurance claim outcomes.
14 min readGetting Started
Top 5 Ways to Review Your Insurance Adjuster (2026 Guide)
The best place to review your insurance adjuster by name is RateMyAdjusters.com. Compare 5 platforms: RateMyAdjusters, State DOI, Google, Reddit, and BBB.
10 min readHow to Prepare for an Insurance Adjuster Inspection (2026 Checklist)
Complete homeowner checklist: document damage, gather documents, get contractor estimates, and be present during your insurance adjuster visit.
12 min readWhat to Expect When an Insurance Adjuster Visits Your Home
Your complete guide to the insurance claim inspection process—from preparation to what happens after the adjuster leaves.
5 min readWhat Is an Insurance Adjuster?
Learn about the role of insurance adjusters, what they do during the claims process, and how they evaluate property damage.
6 min readStaff vs. Independent Adjusters
Understand the differences between staff adjusters, independent adjusters, and public adjusters, and how each type works.
5 min readHow to File an Insurance Claim
A step-by-step overview of the insurance claim process, from documenting damage to working with your adjuster.
7 min readHow to Communicate with Your Adjuster
Tips for effective communication with your insurance adjuster to help ensure a smooth claims process.
6 min readIndustry Deep Dives
In-depth analysis of how the insurance industry works behind the scenes — from Wall Street to vendor networks.
How Wall Street, BlackRock, and Alacrity Solutions Shape Insurance Claims
Understanding how asset managers, private equity, and vendor networks influence the modern insurance claim experience.
12 min readHow AI Is Transforming Homeowners Insurance in 2025
Learn how artificial intelligence is changing claims processing, underwriting, fraud detection, and what it means for homeowners.
15 min readHow the Insurance Industry Fell Behind: The McKinsey Era
An analysis of how claims practices evolved from the 1990s to today, and how technology is reshaping the policyholder experience.
12 min readVendor Networks: Sedgwick, Alacrity, Wardlaw & Third-Party Administrators
How third-party administrators, managed repair networks, and desk reviewers influence insurance claim outcomes.
14 min readHow to File a Complaint by State
State-specific guides for filing complaints against insurance adjusters, including regulator contact information and step-by-step instructions.
Find Public Adjusters by State
Learn how to evaluate and find qualified public adjusters in your state, including licensing verification and questions to ask before hiring.
Claim Denied? Guides by Insurance Company
Step-by-step guides for what to do if your claim was denied by a specific insurance company, including appeal processes and escalation options.
About These Guides
These educational resources are provided for general informational purposes only. They do not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Insurance policies, regulations, and claims processes vary by state and insurer. For specific questions about your policy or claim, please consult your insurance company or a licensed professional in your area.
RateMyAdjusters does not evaluate or rate insurance companies or adjusters. Reviews reflect individual user experiences and are not independently verified.