If the cost to repair the damage is less than or only slightly higher than your deductible, you should fix it yourself. Filing small claims on your Pennsylvania homeowners insurance can lead to significant rate increases or even policy non-renewal, making it much cheaper in the long run to pay out of pocket.
How to Decide When to File a PA Homeowners Claim
- Do the deductible math: Your insurance only pays for damage after your deductible is met. If a windstorm causes $1,500 in damage to your siding and your deductible is $1,000, the insurance company will only hand you a check for $500.
- Beware of the CLUE report: Every time you file a claim, it goes on a national database called a CLUE report for up to seven years. Multiple claims—even small ones—flag you as a high-risk homeowner, which can cause your PA rates to skyrocket or make it difficult to find coverage if your current carrier drops you.
- Save insurance for catastrophes: Homeowners insurance is designed for devastating financial losses, not routine home maintenance. If your kitchen catches fire, a pipe bursts and floods your basement, or a massive oak tree crushes your roof, that is exactly when you should file a claim and let your policy do its job.
What should you do next?
If you are reviewing your policy, make sure you aren’t overpaying or leaving yourself exposed. Check out the complete list of common questions at our Pennsylvania Home Insurance PDQs, or request a quick, no-pressure policy review to see if we can improve your coverage.