How to File a Flood Insurance Claim: Step-by-Step

Filing a flood insurance claim starts the moment it's safe to go back inside: document the damage before you touch anything, take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, and report the claim to your insurer as soon as you can. From there, you'll keep records of every expense and work with an adjuster who assesses the damage.

This article walks through each step of filing a flood claim, what to expect once an adjuster is involved, and how to start a claim if you have a policy with Sterling Flood.

Step-by-Step: How to File a Flood Insurance Claim

Step 1: Make Sure It's Safe Before You Go Back In

Floodwater can hide structural damage, electrical hazards, and contamination that isn't visible from the outside. Don't enter a flooded building until local authorities or your utility companies have confirmed it's safe, and don't restore power or gas yourself if either system may have been underwater.

Step 2: Document the Damage Before You Touch Anything

Once it's safe, photograph and record video of everything before you move, clean, or discard a single item. Walk through room by room, capture the water line on the walls, and get close-up shots of damaged belongings, flooring, and appliances. Open closets, cabinets, and drawers along the way, since contents hidden from view can be just as damaged as what's sitting out in the open. This record is what the rest of your claim will be built on.

Step 3: Prevent Further Damage Without Making Permanent Repairs

You're generally expected to take reasonable steps to stop damage from getting worse — covering an opening, removing standing water, running fans to reduce mold risk. Keep these measures temporary. Hold off on permanent repairs or replacements until the adjuster has had a chance to see the damage.

Step 4: Report the Claim Promptly

Contact your insurer as soon as you reasonably can after the flood. Reporting the claim is what starts the process of getting an adjuster assigned to your property.

Step 5: Keep Every Receipt

Save receipts for temporary repairs, any displacement costs, and anything else related to the flood. Keep these separate from your everyday expenses so they're easy to hand over when asked.

Step 6: Work With Your Adjuster

An adjuster will review your documentation and inspect the damage to determine what's covered. Be available to answer questions, provide your photos and video, and walk through the property with them if needed.

What to Expect From the Claims Adjuster Process

The adjuster's job is to assess the physical damage and compare it against your policy's coverage. Having clear photos, a room-by-room inventory, and organized receipts ready to hand over makes this part of the process easier for everyone involved. If anything about the inspection is unclear, ask directly — it's easier to resolve questions during the process than after it's finished.

Depending on the extent of the damage, an adjuster may inspect the property in person, review documentation remotely, or do some combination of both. Either way, the same preparation applies: the clearer and more complete your records are going in, the less back-and-forth is needed to sort out what happened and when.

Starting a Claim With Sterling Flood

If you have a Sterling Flood policy, you can start a claim from the "File a Claim" page on sterlingflood.com, or by calling (855) 227-2202.

Common Mistakes That Slow Down a Flood Claim

• Throwing away damaged items before they're photographed. Once an item is gone, there's no record of the damage it sustained.
• Making permanent repairs before the adjuster inspects the property. This can make it harder to verify what was damaged and how badly.
• Losing or mixing up receipts. Keep flood-related expenses separate from everything else starting on day one.
• Waiting to report the claim. Reporting promptly is what gets the process moving.
• Documenting only the structure and forgetting belongings. Contents matter just as much as walls and flooring.

Pro Tips from Sterling Flood Underwriters

Walk through with video before you touch anything. A slow, narrated video walkthrough captures context that individual photos can miss.

Keep a simple log of every call and email, with dates. It makes it much easier to answer questions about the timeline later.

Put temporary-repair receipts in their own folder, physical or digital. It saves time when you're asked to provide them.

Get a Quote

If reading this has you wondering whether your current coverage is enough, now is the time to look into it, not after the next storm. Get a flood insurance quote from Sterling Flood.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do first after a flood?

Make sure it's safe to go back inside before anything else. Once it is, document the damage with photos and video before you touch or discard anything.

Can I start cleaning up before the adjuster sees the damage?

You can take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, like removing standing water, but it's best to avoid permanent repairs until the adjuster has reviewed the property.

How do I start a claim with Sterling Flood?

You can start a claim from the "File a Claim" page on sterlingflood.com or by calling (855) 227-2202.

What records should I keep during a flood claim?

Photos and video of the damage, a room-by-room list of affected belongings, and every receipt related to temporary repairs or displacement.