5 Times It Doesn’t Pay to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim

Great insurance policies help homeowners sleep better at night. If something bad happens, at least you can call your insurance company, right?

Unfortunately, not being careful with your homeowners insurance claims could turn a real-life disaster into a financial catastrophe. Submit too many claims? Your premiums might rise. Submit the wrong claim? Again, your premiums might rise—and you’ll still have to cover the cost of the damage.

Truth be told, homeowners insurance isn’t as simple as “Submit claim, get paid.” To save money in the long run, you need to think carefully about whether you want to file that claim. Here are five scenarios that might end up costing you.