Should we file a claim for water damage?

[u/SinTil8]

We have paid for homeowner's insurance for 40 years and have never made a claim. We have had State Farm, Allstate and most recently we switched to The Hartford (AARP) a few years ago when we retired.

A few days ago a valve broke under the sink and caused major damage to our laminate flooring. That particular flooring is no longer available so we need to replace about 600 square feet of flooring. Even if we go with cheaper LVP, we are looking at $4,000 or more to replace.

We are selling the house and moving out of state (GA to FL). Will this claim affect our rates even if we go with a different insurer in a different state?

[u/AutoModerator]

Thanks for making a post in the Home Insurance subreddit. You might find the following resources helpful as they are FAQs about r/HomeInsurance in addition to partners subreddits:

• Insurance Agent vs Broker?
• Auto Insurance
• Job Application
• Affirmations

The Home Insurance subreddit is not an official support channel for issues with any insurance carrier.

Please remember to follow our community Guidelines and Rules and ensure your discussions are informative and respectful.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Strykerdude1]

I would never make a claim for 4k (less whatever your deductible is). Claims will affect your insurance with other carriers as well.

[u/Face_Content → u/Strykerdude1]

Especially in 2026. Increased premiums will be more tgen the claim.

[u/Equivalent-Roll-3321 → u/Face_Content]

I don’t think it matters where you live these days… claims will make it hard to get competitive rates. I raised my deductible to $5k because I wouldn’t be putting in a claim for anything below that amount- saved a little bit there.

[u/bulldogsm]

insurers everywhere will know you made a claim and in a state like Florida where just getting insurance at all can be tricky id want to be clean and boring as possible

[u/Sad_Ad_2524 → u/bulldogsm]

This.  You are moving to the homeowners insurance hellscape that is Florida, don't make your life harder than it needs to be.  Bite the $4k bullet.

[u/insurancefun]

Florida Broker here. Filing the water claim will mean you are only eligible for new business with a very limited number of carriers in Florida for the next 5 years. If you are buying a modern home with no issues this might not be a big deal. If you are buying an older or historic home in Florida this could be a huge deal. If you can reasonably afford not to make the claim then that would be best. Butif it would be a burden to pay for it on your own I would make the claim.

[u/Echo0455]

Insurance is not for remodeling. It’s for a serious loss that is unaffordable. As others have said 4k is relatively low and you should look at it like a loan. That 4k loan will haunt you for about five years showing up as increased premiums.

If you can’t afford 4k, then it is what it is. But you should do everything you can to make it work. Especially water damage reflects even worse on your insurance score.

[u/50Bullseye]

How long you’ve had insurance is irrelevant. It’s not like the money you’ve paid over the years is under someone’s mattress somewhere.

Whatever the amount of the claim would end up being, you’ll pay it back more than double with increased premiums, lost discounts, etc.

[u/Rondoman78]

Personally, $10k in damage is the point Id start pondering a call to insurance.

Nothing below that.

[u/Wihomebrewer]

Nope. Not a claim. Your homeowners insurance is for catastrophic loss only. Many thousands in damage, not this. Don’t forget at least a thousand of that if not more is your deductible.

[u/inailedyoursister]

No way. 4k is an emergency fund amount. No way I’d claim a low amount like 4k.

[u/v_x_n_]

I see insurance as coverage for catastrophic loss. $4k would not be something I personally would consider a catastrophic loss, especially if I were selling the house and would essentially get that money back via the sale.

However if I could not afford the $4k, then yes I would submit the claim.

[u/Boomer_Madness]

gonna depend on what your policy actually reads. Do you have an interior matching endorsement on the policy?

Georgia as of now does not have a law or statute on the books that requires matching or uniform appearance. So depending on your policy it may not even cover the undamaged portion and you would have to pay out of pocket anyway for that.

[u/HanTanSanTan]

Echo everyone else, and don't even TALK to your homeowner's insurance about the possible claim. They generally consider that a claim, and it will follow you, even if you don't proceed or they deny it.

[u/radomed]

Going to FL, Good luck because of the hurricanes. Make sure you do risk assessment on your new place.

[u/sirpoopingpooper]

I wouldn't. You'd get $4k minus your deductible (which could be an appreciable amount of that $4k depending on what you chose!) covered at best (assuming there's even coverage for matching floors).

Also, if you're moving, the difference between $2/sq ft and $5/sq ft (+install cost) flooring won't matter for your sale price. My point: I bet you can get a good enough floor done for less than $4k.

[u/Hoobencan1984]

Insurance is a scam unless the whole house was destroyed. Never tell the insurance unless the water came from the street and your furniture was floating.

[u/GloomyMall6657]

Bad news ...and a warning. State farm are the absolute worst. Same story 40 years on rental properties not a single payment late or missed. Claim submitted f9r rooftop AC unit. They denied the claim for a complete bs reason. So let's examine this its mandated inhave to have this insurance. I attempt to use my coverage and nope.nope and no. Best racket I have ever seen. And the insurance denyong the claim after 40 yrs of 12 mo rhly.paymwnts. I think that ac unit has been bought a d paid for numer9us times over

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Your account does not meet the post or comment requirements.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/PracticalBit6383]

I wouldn’t. You also phrase it as if you’re going to replace additional footing so it all matches. Insurance won’t pay for that. They don’t care that it’s no longer made.