Do not file a claim on your homeowner's insurance. (may very well not be covered anyway on the homeowner's policy). Small claims on homeowner's policies can adversely affect not only your insurance rates, but your ability to even get homeowner's insurance. I know it's lousy to not get the benefit of what you paid for, but it's reality. Better strategy is take a really high deductible on your homeowners, like $5,000, and only file major claims like when the house burns down.