Fire or Water Damage in Texas: How to File Your Insurance Claim

4 hours ago

9 min read

A step-by-step guide for Texas and Dallas–Fort Worth homeowners on filing an insurance claim after fire, smoke, or water damage — plus how to find temporary housing covered by your insurance.

When your home is suddenly damaged by a fire, a burst pipe, or a water leak, the first few hours feel overwhelming. Where do you go? Who do you call first? How do you file an insurance claim — and will your insurance pay for a place to stay while your home is repaired?

This guide walks you through exactly what to do after your home is damaged, step by step, with the Texas rules and resources that apply to Dallas–Fort Worth homeowners. You'll learn how to protect your family, document your loss correctly, get your insurance claim moving fast, and understand Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage — the part of your policy that pays for a place to stay while your home is being repaired.

First Things First: Make Sure Everyone Is Safe

Before anything else:

· Get everyone out and to safety. Don't re-enter a fire-damaged or water-damaged home until authorities say it's safe.

· Call 911 if there's an active fire, gas leak, structural danger, or injury.

· Shut off utilities if it's safe to do so — water, gas, and electricity — to prevent further damage.

Your insurance claim matters, but your safety comes first. Everything below can wait until you and your family are out of harm's way.

Step 1: Contact Your Insurance Company As Soon As Possible

Your very first call after you're safe should be to your insurance agent or insurance company. Most policies require you to give prompt notice of a loss, so don't wait.

When you call, have this information ready:

Your insurance policy number
Your contact information (and a temporary address or phone if you can't stay in your home)
The date and time the damage happened
Your mortgage lender's name, if you have a mortgage
A brief description of what happened and the damage you can see

Ask them directly: What do you need from me to start this claim, and how long do I have to file? Getting the process started quickly is one of the most important things you can do.

Good to know about fire and water damage: Standard homeowners insurance typically covers fire and smoke damage, as well as sudden and accidental water damage — like a burst pipe, an overflowing appliance, or a water heater failure. Gradual leaks, long-term seepage, and lack-of-maintenance issues are often not covered, so report the damage promptly and confirm the specifics with your carrier.

Quick tip: Write down the name of everyone you speak with, the date, and your claim number. Keep it all in one folder or note on your phone.

Know Your Rights as a Texas Homeowner

If your home is in Texas — including anywhere in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex — state law gives you specific protections and deadlines that work in your favor. Keep these in mind as your claim moves along:

Your insurer has deadlines, too. Under the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act, after you report a claim the insurance company generally must acknowledge it, begin its investigation, and request the documents it needs within 15 days. It then has 15 business days to notify you in writing that your claim is accepted or rejected after it receives everything it needs, and once it accepts, payment must follow promptly. If an insurer that has accepted (or been found) liable for your claim misses these deadlines, it can owe you interest and attorney's fees on top of your claim.
You'll likely receive two checks. Texas homeowners claims are commonly paid in two parts: a first payment for the estimated repair cost minus depreciation and your deductible (the "actual cash value"), and a second payment for the withheld (recoverable) depreciation after you complete the repairs and submit receipts.
Free help is available. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) runs a consumer Help Line at 800-252-3439 (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Central) and publishes free claim-filing guides at tdi.texas.gov. The Office of Public Insurance Counsel (OPIC) at 1-877-611-6742 is another free Texas resource if you have questions or a dispute.
Watch for post-storm contractor scams. After major DFW storms, out-of-town "storm chasers" pressure homeowners to sign over claims. Verify contractors, get everything in writing, and never sign a contract you don't fully understand.

DFW note: North Texas sees its share of hailstorms, high winds, hard freezes, and the burst-pipe damage that follows a Texas cold snap. Those sudden events are exactly the kind of covered losses that can leave your home temporarily unlivable — and trigger your ALE coverage.

Step 2: Document the Damage Before You Clean Up

This is the step people most often get wrong — and it can cost you money. Photograph and video everything before you throw anything away or start permanent repairs.

Take wide shots of each damaged room and close-ups of individual damaged items.
Capture serial numbers, brands, and models of damaged appliances and electronics.
Don't discard destroyed belongings until your adjuster has seen them (or you've confirmed with your insurer it's OK) — keep them if you safely can.
Make a written inventory of damaged or lost items, with approximate value and age.
Thorough documentation is the evidence behind your claim. The more complete it is, the smoother your payout tends to be.

Step 3: Prevent Further Damage (But Only Temporary Repairs)

Most policies require you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage after a loss. Do temporary, protective repairs only — not permanent ones yet.

Examples:

Tarp a fire-damaged roof or board up broken windows and doors
Shut off a broken or burst water line
Extract standing water and start drying to limit mold growth
Move undamaged belongings to a dry, safe area

Save every receipt for materials and emergency repairs. These costs are often reimbursable. Hold off on major permanent repairs until your adjuster has inspected the damage.

Step 4: Work With Your Claims Adjuster

Your insurer will assign an adjuster to inspect the damage and estimate the cost of repairs. To make this go smoothly:

Be available and responsive when they reach out.
Walk them through your photos, videos, and inventory.
Point out all damage — including things that aren't obvious, like water behind walls, under flooring, or smoke damage in other rooms
Keep copies of everything you submit.

If you disagree with the adjuster's estimate, you can ask questions, request a re-inspection, and in many cases get your own independent repair estimates for comparison.

Step 5: Keep Every Receipt — Including for Living Expenses

From the moment your home becomes unlivable, start saving receipts for everything: hotels, meals, extra fuel, laundry, pet boarding, storage, and more. These may be reimbursable under your Additional Living Expenses coverage, which we'll explain next.

Understanding Additional Living Expenses (ALE): Who Pays for Where You Live Now?

One of the most common — and most stressful — questions after a disaster is: "Where are we supposed to live while our home is being repaired?"

The good news: if your home is uninhabitable because of a covered loss (like a fire or a burst pipe), most homeowners and renters policies include a benefit that helps pay for it. It's usually called Additional Living Expenses (ALE) or Loss of Use, and it often appears as Coverage D on your policy.

What ALE typically covers

ALE is designed to cover the extra costs of living somewhere else — the amount above what you'd normally spend to live at home. Depending on your policy, that can include:

Temporary housing — a hotel, apartment, or furnished rental home
Meals beyond your normal grocery costs (for example, when staying somewhere without a kitchen)
Extra transportation costs to and from work or school
Furniture rental for a temporary residence
Storage and relocation expenses
Pet boarding and other necessary added costs

How ALE works, in plain terms

If a covered loss forces you out of your home, your insurer reimburses the reasonable, necessary extra expenses you incur to maintain your normal standard of living while repairs or rebuilding are underway.

A few things to know:

ALE applies only to covered losses. Fire and sudden water damage are typically covered — but confirm your specific loss is covered under your policy before counting on ALE.
It's usually capped, either as a dollar limit or a time limit, so ask your adjuster what your limit is.
Keep all receipts. Reimbursement is based on documented, actual expenses.
Ask for an advance. Many insurers will provide an advance payment on ALE so you're not paying out of pocket while you wait.

Don't leave this money on the table. Many families stay with relatives or in a cramped hotel without realizing their policy would have paid for comfortable temporary housing. Ask your insurer specifically: "What is my Loss of Use / ALE limit, and does it cover a furnished rental home?"

Finding a Comfortable Place to Stay While You Rebuild

When your home is being repaired after a fire or water loss, where you live in the meantime matters more than people expect. A hotel room for a family — with kids, pets, and no kitchen — gets exhausting fast, especially when repairs stretch on for weeks or months. That's why many displaced families ask their insurer whether their ALE / Loss of Use benefit will cover a fully furnished rental home instead. It usually will, and it can make a hard season far more livable.

When you look for a temporary home, it helps to find one that's set up for real day-to-day living — not just a short hotel stay. The most comfortable options tend to offer:

Fully furnished interiors, so you can move in with just a suitcase
All utilities included — electricity, water, internet, and more
Real kitchens, bedrooms, and living space — room for the whole family
Flexible lease terms that match the timeline of your repairs
Insurance-friendly documentation, with itemized invoices your adjuster can process for ALE reimbursement

If you're in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, Staywell Furnished Housing is one local option that specializes in exactly this kind of stay — fully furnished homes across the DFW metroplex (Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Flower Mound, and nearby communities) with utilities included and the insurance-ready paperwork adjusters need for ALE-covered placements. If you'd like to check availability while your repairs are underway, you can reach the team at 214-699-1233, email info@staywellfh.com, or browse homes at [staywellfh.com](https://www.staywellfh.com).

Quick Checklist: What to Do After Home Damage

1. ✅ Get everyone safe — call 911 if needed; shut off utilities if safe.

2. ✅ Call your insurance company right away and start the claim.

3. ✅ Document everything — photos and video before you clean up.

4. ✅ Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage; save receipts.

5. ✅ Work with your adjuster and show them all the damage.

6. ✅ Save every receipt, including hotels, meals, and housing.

7. ✅ Ask about ALE / Loss of Use coverage and your limit.

8. ✅ Secure comfortable temporary housing that fits your family and your repair timeline.

9. ✅ Know your Texas rights — insurers face a 15-day acknowledgment deadline; free help at TDI 800-252-3439.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does homeowners insurance cover fire and water damage?

Standard homeowners insurance typically covers fire and smoke damage, plus sudden and accidental water damage such as a burst pipe or appliance overflow. Gradual leaks and maintenance-related water damage are often excluded. Always confirm the specifics of your loss with your carrier.

How soon do I need to file a claim after fire or water damage?

As soon as possible. Most policies require prompt notice of a loss, and filing quickly helps your claim move faster.

What are my rights after filing a claim in Texas?

The Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act sets deadlines for insurers: after you report a claim, the company generally must acknowledge it, start investigating, and request documents within 15 days, then accept or reject the claim in writing within 15 business days of receiving everything it needs, and pay promptly once it accepts. An insurer that has accepted or been found liable for a claim and misses these deadlines can owe interest and attorney's fees. For free help, contact the Texas Department of Insurance Help Line at 800-252-3439 or the Office of Public Insurance Counsel at 1-877-611-6742.

Will my insurance pay for a hotel or rental while my home is repaired?

If your home is uninhabitable due to a covered loss, your Additional Living Expenses (ALE) / Loss of Use coverage typically pays for temporary housing and related extra costs — up to your policy's limit. Ask your insurer what your limit is and whether a furnished rental home qualifies.

What counts as an "additional living expense"?

The extra costs of living away from home above your normal expenses — temporary housing, added meal costs, extra commuting, furniture rental, storage, and similar necessary expenses. Keep all receipts.

Can Staywell help if my insurance is paying for temporary housing?

Yes. Staywell Furnished Housing provides fully furnished homes in the Dallas–Fort Worth area and can supply the itemized documentation your adjuster needs for ALE-covered stays. Reach the team at 214-699-1233 or info@staywellfh.com.

This article is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Coverage varies by policy — always confirm the specifics of your claim and your ALE/Loss of Use limits with your own insurance carrier.

Staywell Furnished Housing