In recent years, insurance companies have changed their policies on how they issue home owner's insurance policies. They have linked their data bases into a national system and input information on YOU and YOUR claim history into that system. The result is a rating system that is similar to what they have been doing for auto insurance for many years. If you have put in claims on your home owner's policy, no matter how small, the insurance companies, yes, ALL of them, have that informtion. Not only do they change your rates because of claims made, but they may refuse to insure you. Not only may they refuse or cancel your insurance, other companies may also not insure you. BEFORE, PLEASE, for your own protection, BEFORE you put in a claim on your home owner's policy, check not only what it will do to your rates, but also how it will effect YOUR ability to keep or get insurance. Also, check to see how it will effect the marketability of your home. Yes, it could effect the sale of your home. The records not only show your claim history, but also the claims history of the home. If it has had water damage, it may not be insurable for several years. Though I have not been able to get an insurance agent or company to give me a direct answer on why water damage is so severe, it is my assumption that the insurance companies are concerned about mould problems. If it does not have problems within a certain number of YEARS!, then they will insure it again. Be sure to check before you put in a claim. Check to see what it will do to your rates; it may be cheaper to just pay the damages yourself. Check to see how it will effect your ability to get insurance. Check to see how it will effect the insurability of your home. If you are considering buying a home, check to see if the insurance company will insure THAT home. It may have a history that the companies object to. It may NOT be insurable, or not at rates you can afford. Don't assume that just because you have not put in any claims on your policy that insurance will not be a problem.