Can Repairs Be Done Before Filing a Home Insurance Claim?
When unexpected damage strikes your home, it's natural to want to fix things as quickly as possible. But what happens if you repair the damage before filing a claim with your home insurance provider?
Will your claim be accepted, and can you still get reimbursed? Let’s break down how this works for Canadian homeowners, and what you need to know before picking up the hammer or calling a contractor.
Western Financial Group, a 100% Canadian company, can help you navigate your home, car, boat, and business insurance during this period of economic uncertainty.
Can I repair my home before filing a home insurance claim?
In most cases, home insurance companies in Canada require you to report damage and file a claim as soon as possible after an incident occurs. This allows the insurer to assess the damage, determine the cause, and confirm coverage under your policy. If you repair the damage before notifying your insurer, you may risk having your claim denied or reimbursed for less than you expect.
Insurance companies typically want to inspect the damage before repairs are made. This helps them verify the extent of the loss and ensure that the repairs are necessary and covered by your policy. If you make permanent repairs before your insurer has a chance to inspect, you may only be reimbursed for the documented cost of those repairs—provided you have saved all receipts and evidence.
How to file a home insurance claim
Document everything: Take clear photos and videos of all damage before you begin any repairs. Keep any receipts, invoices, or estimates related to the damage and repairs.
Contact your insurer right away: Report the incident to your insurance company as soon as possible. They will guide you on the next steps, including whether you can proceed with repairs or if an adjuster needs to visit first.
Temporary repairs: You are encouraged to make temporary repairs to prevent further damage (like boarding up a broken window or shutting off water after a burst pipe). Keep receipts for any materials or services used for these temporary fixes, as they may be reimbursed.
Will my claim be accepted if I repair first?
If you do the repairs before filing a claim, your insurer may still consider your claim, but there are important caveats:
You must provide thorough documentation of the original damage and the repairs performed.
The insurer will likely only reimburse you up to the amount you paid for repairs, and only if the damage is covered under your policy.
If the insurer cannot verify the cause or extent of the damage due to completed repairs, they may deny or reduce your claim.
Home Insurance covers you in advance, not in retrospect
Keep in mind that you cannot purchase home insurance to cover an event that has already occurred. Insurance is designed to protect you from future, unforeseen risks, not to reimburse for past losses or damages. If your home experiences a robbery or severe weather event and you do not have insurance in place at the time, you cannot buy a policy afterward to cover those losses.
If you already have an active home insurance policy and experience a covered event (like theft or storm damage), you should file your claim as soon as possible, ideally before making permanent repairs.
What is typically covered by home insurance?
Dwelling (property) coverage
Protects the physical structure of your home, including walls, roof, floors, windows, and built-in fixtures.
Also extends to attached structures like garages and, in many cases, detached buildings such as sheds.
Personal property (contents) coverage
Covers your personal belongings, such as furniture, electronics, clothing, appliances, and valuables, against risks like fire, theft, and certain types of water damage.
This coverage usually applies whether the items are in your home or temporarily outside (for example, in your car or when you travel).
Additional living expenses (loss of use)
Pays for extra costs if you need to live elsewhere while your home is being repaired due to a covered loss—such as hotel bills, meals, and moving expenses.
Personal liability coverage
Protects you if you are found legally responsible for injury to someone else or damage to their property, either on your property or anywhere in the world.
Covers legal fees and potential settlements, up to your policy’s limit.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Always contact your insurer before making permanent repairs to maximize your chances of a successful claim.
- Document all damage and repairs thoroughly with photos, receipts, and detailed notes.
- Temporary repairs to prevent further damage are encouraged and may be reimbursed.
- You cannot buy insurance to cover an event that has already happened, coverage must be in place before the incident.
For the smoothest claims process, follow your insurer’s guidance and keep communication open throughout.
5 FAQs about repairing damages and home insurance
What specific damages are typically covered by Canadian home insurance policies?
Canadian home insurance covers many different kinds of damages, but you’ll need to check your specific plan to get a full understanding of your unique coverage. Usually, home insurance covers fire and smoke damage, repairs or replacements for theft and vandalism, water damage from burst pipes (sewer backup and overland flooding usually require extra coverage), wind and hail damage, ice and snow damage, and even accidental damage such as broken windows or spilled paint. Again, it’s a good idea to check your policy with an insurance expert to make sure you’re fully covered.
Are natural disasters like floods or earthquakes usually covered by home insurance?
Most standard home insurance policies in Canada DON’T cover flood damage from overland flooding, but if you are worried about this or live in an at-risk area, it’s usually possible to buy additional coverage. Similarly, earthquakes are usually not covered by standard Canadian home insurance, but earthquake coverage is often available as an add-on if you’re concerned.
How long does it take to get reimbursed for damages by my home insurance?
The timeline can vary depending on how complex your unique situation is, but here’s how it usually works – you’ll file a claim as soon as you notice damage, sending photos, any receipts, and a detailed description of the damage. An adjuster will be assigned to your case, usually within a few days. Depending on the severity of the damage, the adjuster might need to visit your home to do an assessment. Once the assessment is finished, the insurance company will determine your coverage and calculate your reimbursement. This step can take a few days up to a couple of weeks. After approval, you’ll typically receive reimbursement via cheque or direct deposit within 5-10 business days, depending on the insurer. Overall, expect the process to take 1-2 weeks for simple claims and 3-6 weeks or longer for complex claims (i.e. severe structural damage). Western Financial Group insurance experts can help you through the process and make sure you get the best possible result.
Does home insurance completely cover damages or repairs?
It depends on the specific situation, but you can usually expect to at least pay for the deductible on your insurance coverage. A deductible is the amount you agreed to pay before your coverage kicks in. You are responsible for this amount (e.g. $500 or $1000) and the insurer will pay the rest, up to your policy limit. Talk to an expert today to check your policy limits, coverage, and deductible, and see if there’s room for improvement!
How do I get reimbursed by my home insurance company?
If you’ve already paid for repairs after damage to your home and want to be reimbursed by your insurance company, your best bet is to document everything very clearly, from the original damages to the cost and quality of the repairs. It’s better to inform your insurance company before paying for any repairs, but you may still get reimbursed if you submit a detailed enough claim.
