Glossary

First notice of loss

The first report you or your agent makes to the insurer that damage has occurred, which opens the file and starts the insurer's response deadlines.

Also called: FNOL, claim report, reporting a claim

First notice of loss, usually shortened to FNOL, is the moment an insurer first hears about a loss. It can be a call to the claims line, a report through the insurer's app or website, or a call to your agent. Most policies require "prompt notice," and the standard ISO homeowners form lists it first among your duties after a loss.

You do not need a repair estimate to report. Expect to give the policy number, the date and cause of the loss, what was damaged, and how to reach you. The insurer responds by assigning a claim number and an adjuster.

The date of FNOL matters. In many states it starts the insurer's statutory clock to acknowledge the claim and later to pay or deny it (see prompt payment law). It also tests whether you reported on time. Under the 2025 Florida statutes, for example, an initial claim must be reported within one year of the date of loss and a supplemental claim within 18 months (Fla. Stat. 627.70132). Late reports also let an insurer argue that delay made the damage worse. If you are unsure whether to file, ask your agent how a claim would be handled, but do not let a deadline pass while you decide. The guide on filing a homeowners claim walks through the steps.

Last reviewed October 10, 2026

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Related terms

Claim number The reference code an insurer assigns when it opens a file on your loss, used to track the adjuster's notes, estimates, payments and correspondence. 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. Supplemental claim A request for more money on a loss you already reported, usually for damage found or costs incurred after the first estimate was written. Adjuster The person who investigates a reported loss, decides what the policy covers and how much it will pay, and negotiates the settlement.

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Related tools

Home insurance claim checklist Work through the steps of a homeowners claim in order, with extra steps for water, wind, fire or theft, and tick them off as you go.