When severe weather hits, the aftermath can be overwhelming—damaged roofs, downed trees, and flooded interiors are just the beginning. Filing an insurance claim after storm damage shouldn’t add to your stress. Whether you’re a homeowner, HOA board member, or property manager, knowing exactly what to do in those critical first hours can make all the difference. In this guide, we break down a step-by-step storm damage insurance claim checklist to help you protect your property, maximize your coverage, and avoid costly mistakes.
First – Survey the storm damage. At the moment that you’re certain the horrific trouble is over, you’ll need to evaluate the storm damage for yourself.
Check whether or not your home has endured basic damage after a storm– this could be hazardous, so it is ideal to get the experts in as quickly as time permits and have them do their job(s).
Filing an Insurance Claim – Exterior Checklist:
You’ll need to see whether you can see proof of missing shingles or broken drains.
Maybe there’s an undeniable hole in your rooftop, or sections of roofing or gutters spread around the lawn.
Air Conditioner Unit
Check your cooling unit for damages. Note: while it probably won’t appear to be critical to check the AC unit during winter, you’ll be irritated if your cooling doesn’t work appropriately when you need it in the late spring.
Other Damages
You’ll have to attempt to recognize all the storm damage while you’re doing your appraisal.
Check for damage brought about by your trees, or by neighbors’ trees, or by fencing that could have been carried away by the force of the storm.
Interior Checklist:
Indications of storm damage on the inside of your home will probably be crystal clear– you’ll notice them!
Pay special attention to water leaks/puddles on walls and floors, particularly on ground floors.
Check your windows for any leaks, and also check your storage room for any problems.
Contact your insurance agency
You’ll need to contact your insurance agency either by phone or their website/email. You should keep the agency’s phone number in a place where you’ll find it easily, such as your purse or wallet.
Take pictures
Make sure to take photos of any damage you can find.
From a damaged rooftop to a messed up air conditioner unit or overflowing kitchen sink, a couple of pictures can have a significant effect with regards to making your home insurance claim.
Try not to discard anything
Don’t discard any damaged things, as they might be required by your insurance assessor for your case.
If you can’t keep a waterlogged wet floor covering or broken TV at your home, then at least take pictures, and keep samples if possible. For example, a small little square of your wet floor covering ought to be sufficient to demonstrate that it was all wet.
Find a contractor
When your insurance agency gives you the thumbs up, you’ll need to find a contractor who can evaluate your home and make the essential fixes.
The contractor you pick should be experienced and available to help right away.
Shield your property from further damage
If your property is exposed to damage, you’ll have to shield it from any further harm. Get some canvas and cover any undeniable gaps or broken windows in the event that you can.
Move things that are in the way of harm… for example, kitchen appliances, PCs and other electrical hardware… and any resources and individual things you care about.
What’s Next?
Storm damage is stressful, but being prepared with the right information puts you in control. By following this checklist for filing an insurance claim, you can move quickly, meet policy requirements, and give your insurance company everything it needs to process your claim effectively. And if your claim becomes complicated or undervalued, don’t hesitate to reach out to a licensed public insurance adjuster like Gavnat—we’re here to ensure you get the fair settlement you deserve.