Glossary

Examination under oath

A formal, recorded question-and-answer session under oath that an insurer can require of a claimant, usually led by the insurer's attorney.

Also called: EUO, EUO insurance

An examination under oath, or EUO, is a formal interview in which an insurer's attorney questions you about a claim while a court reporter transcribes your sworn answers. The standard ISO homeowners form lists it among your duties after a loss: as often as the insurer reasonably requires, you must submit to examination under oath, outside the presence of any other insured, and sign the transcript. You may also be told to bring records, such as receipts, bank statements and photographs.

Insurers use EUOs when something is unclear or does not add up: a large fire or theft claim, a contents list that conflicts with other records, a recent coverage change, or financial strain. Being asked does not mean you are accused of fraud, but it is a serious step, and the request may arrive alongside a reservation of rights letter.

Refusing or ignoring the request can be treated as a breach of the policy conditions and may cost you the claim. You can generally bring your own attorney. Ask for the request in writing, review what you submitted beforehand, answer truthfully, and ask for a copy of the transcript afterward. A recorded statement is a lighter tool: it is not under oath and is usually a short phone call. The guide on recorded statements and examinations under oath explains both.

Last reviewed October 10, 2026

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Related terms

Duties after loss The steps a homeowners policy requires after damage occurs: reporting it, protecting the property, documenting the loss and cooperating with the insurer. Proof of loss A signed, sworn statement of what happened and what you are claiming, which most policies require within a set number of days. Reservation of rights A written notice that an insurer is investigating or paying a claim but keeps the option to deny coverage or limit payment later if the facts warrant it. Contents inventory An itemized list of belongings that were damaged, destroyed or stolen, with quantity, description, age and cost, used to support a personal property claim. Bad faith An insurer's unreasonable claim handling, such as denying or delaying payment with no reasonable basis, that can bring damages beyond the policy benefits.

Related guides

Arson, staged losses and fraud investigations How insurers and fire investigators test a suspicious fire or theft, what the intentional loss exclusion does, and what to do if your claim is investigated. Policy conditions: your duties under a homeowners policy What a standard HO-3 requires of you after a loss, and what the insurer owes back: notice, proof of loss, suit deadlines, fraud and cancellation. Homeowners insurance fraud: what it is and how it's caught What counts as homeowners insurance fraud, hard versus soft fraud, how insurers investigate suspicious claims, and what an accusation means for you. The proof of loss form and its deadlines A proof of loss is a sworn statement of your claim. When insurers ask for it, what goes in it, how the 60-day clock runs and what a missed deadline can cost. Recorded statements and examinations under oath What an insurer can ask of you after a claim: the informal recorded statement, the sworn examination under oath, your policy duties, and when to bring a lawyer.