How to Handle an Insurance Claim After an Oregon Disaster

If a wildfire, flood, windstorm, or other disaster damaged your home or belongings, dealing with insurance can feel overwhelming. 

This guide gives you quick tips and trusted resources to help after a disaster—whether you rent or own a home or manufactured home. 

If you need urgent help with shelter, food, or safety, start with Finding Help After a Natural Disaster. 

What’s covered by my insurance policy? 

After a disaster, you probably have questions about what your insurance will pay for. Each policy is different, but here’s what is usually covered: 

• For homeowners and manufactured home owners: Your home, your belongings, and extra costs if you can’t live at home. 

• For renters: Your belongings and, if your policy includes it, extra costs if you can’t live at home. Learn more in the FAQ section below. 

To find out what your policy covers: 

• Review your “declarations” page. This part of your policy shows your coverage limits (the most the company will pay) and your deductible (what you pay before insurance starts to pay). 

• Contact your insurer. Call your insurance company or agent to ask what is covered and what to do next. Tell them you want an “information-only” call, not a formal claim, until you decide to file. 

• Talk to a consumer advocate. Oregon’s Division of Financial Regulation has consumer advocates who can help for free. Find out how to contact a consumer advocate here. 

Types of Insurance Coverage 

Home repairs and rebuilding 

If you own a home or manufactured home, your dwelling coverage helps pay for repairs or rebuilding. This is usually based on the cost of restoring your home to its previous condition. 

Other structures  

If your property has detached structures, such as a shed, garage, or fence, this coverage helps replace or rebuild them. 

Personal property 

Most insurance policies cover the cost of replacing items you lose in a disaster, such as furniture, electronics, and clothes. This is called contents coverage or personal property coverage. 

Claiming personal property loss (Oregon’s new 70 percent rule): In the past, you had to make a detailed list of all the items you lost to get a payout. Starting in 2024, a new law changed that. If your home was completely destroyed in a declared disaster, you can use Oregon's Model Attestation for Personal Property Loss Coverage Payment. This form requires your insurance company to pay you 70 percent of your personal property coverage right away—without listing every item. 

Additional living expenses (ALE) 

If you can’t live at home after a disaster, ALE (also called loss of use) coverage pays for things like: 

• Temporary housing 

• Extra food or restaurant meals 

• Laundry 

• Pet boarding fees 

• Storage of household items 

Learn more in this FAQ from the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation.

Flood or earthquake coverage 

Flood or earthquake damage is not usually covered by a standard policy. You need a separate policy for that. Check your declarations page or ask your agent if you have this coverage. 

Understanding insurance deductibles 

Your policy includes a deductible. This is the amount you must pay before your insurance starts paying. 

Tip: If the cost to fix the damage is close to or less than your deductible, filing a claim might not make sense. If you are unsure about your deductible, talk to a consumer advocate at Oregon’s Division of Financial Regulation. 

How to file an insurance claim 

Start by contacting your insurance company. You can file a claim online or by phone. 

Tips for filing a claim: 

• Document first. Take photos or video of the damage, make a list of what was lost, and save receipts for temporary fixes or extra costs. 

• Keep records. Save copies of all emails and letters. Write down notes after each conversation with your insurer. 

• Ask about an adjuster. An adjuster looks at the damage and writes a report for the insurance company. You may not see one, or you could work with several adjusters. Read more about adjusters. 

• Make only temporary repairs. Do this to prevent more damage. Document any repairs, and don’t throw away items until your insurer says it’s okay. 

Learn more in the Post-Disaster Claims Guide from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. 

Additional reading 

• United Policyholders Claim Guidance Library: A nonprofit that helps consumers navigate insurance. Find tips on starting a claim, finding temporary housing, debris removal, documenting losses, and more.   

• Oregon Division of Financial Regulation Insurance Help: A state office that helps with insurance and other financial issues. 

• Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center Insurance Guide: A nonprofit site with information on insurance and other disaster topics. 

Frequently Asked Questions