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DOCUMENTING YOUR PROPERTY IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE STORM

STEP 1 YOUR PROPERTY IS YOUR CRIME SCENE DO NOT MOVE ANYTHING UNTIL YOU DOCUMENT IT

Before you start cleaning up any of the debris or damage that has occurred to your property or contents it is important that you take photos and video of the property in the aftermath of the storm. This tells a story about the cause of the damage and the type of damage that has occurred. Obviously if you have to move debris for access to the property that is OK as long as you have taken photos prior to moving the items.

STEP 2 PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY

After the storm the damage to your property can leave your home with no protection from the elements. This could lead to further damage of your property and its contents. Most policies require that you try to mitigate these additional damages by making temporary repairs to your home. After making those repairs makes sure to take additional photos of the repairs made to show that you made the effort to mitigate from any further damage. Typical temporary repairs could include tarping a roof, boarding up windows and openings placing plastic over any other potential damaged areas where water could get in. Always keep the receipts for any repairs made as those are often recoverable from your claim.

STEP 3 DOCUMENTED DAMAGED CONTENT

Documenting contents that are damaged from water damage is important to recover the full value of those items. You should always document these items with the following

• Photo of the damaged item

• Year it was Purchased

• Approximate Purchase price (if you have receipt document that as well).

• Condition of the item prior to throwing it away. Damaged & Needs to Be Replaced, or Damaged but can be Repaired

DO NOT THROW ITEMS AWAY IF POSSIBLE: If you can store the item in a Garbage bag so that your Public Adjuster and the Insurance adjuster can examine it that would also be helpful in corroborating the extent of the damage of the item.

STEP 4 PREPARE FOR YOUR INSURANCE ADJUSTER

• File a Claim for Windstorm and if there was Flooding You will need to file a separate claim

• Call USA DAMAGE CLAIMS we can meet with your adjuster and make sure all of the items that need to be discussed with the adjuster is covered. This helps to cover the full extent of the damage caused by the storm and expedite the claims process.

• Keep the Property Minimally Repaired until Insurance Company Adjuster can see it. This is critical for your claim

• Keep any damaged contents available for the Insurance Adjuster to document

• Do NOT make any permanent repairs

• Look for alternate place to live and Request Additional Living Expenses to pay for the alternative housing until your property is inhabitable again.