Generally your home insurance company would not cancel your insurance just because you filed a single claim. But filing a few claims over a period of three to five years could raise a red flag as far as the insurer is concerned and lead to non-renewal or a premium hike, depending on the insurance company and the state where you live.

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That's why consumer advocates advise homeowners to rely on their insurance for major issues and to avoid filing small claims. You'll actually be financially ahead in many cases by paying out of pocket for small problems versus collecting a few hundred dollars from the insurance company, only to be hit by a premium increase at renewal time.

Some states restrict insurance companies from dropping customers because they filed too many claims. In Pennsylvania, for instance, home insurance companies can't cancel a policy because of the property damage claim history, but they still can hike the premium. Other states say insurance companies can raise home insurance premiums due to the claim history only after a certain number or size of claims has been filed. Still other states restrict home insurance companies from penalizing customers for simply reporting a claim. Check your state's insurance department website for details on the laws in your state, and talk to your home insurance agent to learn more.

Beware, too, that your claim history will dog you when you get home insurance quotes from other companies. Car and home insurance companies submit information about claims into a national database known as CLUE, which is operated by ChoicePoint and stands for the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange. The claim record, and in some cases even your inquiries about potential claims, stay in the database for seven years. Insurance companies check the database and can learn about claims you filed with other insurers. The more claims you filed, the riskier you look and the more you pay for insurance.

1. A creek flows through the back yard of a home I am purchasing. Do I have to buy flood insurance?
2. A neighbor's tree fell across my fence. Whose insurance pays?
3. Are new manufactured homes safer than older models?
4. Can I buy insurance to cover my new diamond engagement ring?
5. Can installing a home security system reduce a home insurance premium?
6. Could my home insurance company cancel my policy after I file just one claim?
7. Do I need to buy flood insurance even if I don't live near water?
8. Does home insurance cover all exterior elements?
9. Does home insurance cover jewelry and fine art?
10. How can insurance protect me if my luggage is lost, stolen or damaged?
11. I own a historic home. Do I need special insurance?
12. I'm building a house. How do I insure it while it's under construction?
13. The laptop my company provided to me was stolen recently. Whose insurance policy pays?
14. What are the insurance issues to consider if I decide to rent out my home?
15. What insurance do I need to cover my laptop computer?
16. Will home insurance cover a stolen bike?
17. Will homeowners insurance cover a gun collection?
18. Will insurance cover my valuable coin collection?
19. Will my home insurance cover falling trees and damaged shrubs?
20. Will my home insurance policy cover an in-law apartment in my house?
21. Will my home insurance policy cover hurricane damage?
22. Do I need flood insurance if I live in a condo?
23. Do I need title insurance if I'm buying a condominium?
24. If damages in my condo spread to a neighbor's unit, will my home insurance pay for repairs?
25. What type of home insurance should I purchase for my condo?
26. Will a roommate's renters insurance policy cover my possessions, too?