Home / Storm checklist
What to do in the first 72 hours after a storm.
A checklist for homeowners, building owners and condo boards. What you do in the first few days can shape the whole claim.
1. Stay safe first.
Nothing on this list is worth getting hurt over.
Call 911 for any emergency
Fire, a gas smell, downed power lines or anyone injured. Call before anything else.
Stay off the roof
Wet or damaged roofs are dangerous. You can document a roof from the ground and with photos.
Keep out of damaged areas
If walls, ceilings or the structure look compromised, stay out until someone qualified checks it.
2. Protect the property from more damage.
Most policies require you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage.
Cover openings
Tarp roof openings and board up broken windows or doors, or have someone do it.
Stop water inside
Move belongings away from leaks, catch dripping water and start drying wet areas.
Keep every receipt
Tarps, lumber, fans, labor and hotel stays if you cannot stay in the home.
Keep damaged materials
Do not throw away damaged shingles, siding or other items until they are photographed and documented.
3. Document everything.
Photos taken right after the storm are some of the strongest evidence a claim can have.
Every side of every building
Take photos and video of each side, from far away and up close. Include detached garages, sheds and fences.
Hail and wind marks
Dents on gutters, downspouts, vents, window wraps and the fins of air conditioning units. Missing or lifted shingles. Damaged siding.
Inside the building
Water stains on ceilings and walls, wet insulation and damaged belongings.
The storm itself
Write down the date and time, and save weather alerts, news reports or texts that mention the storm.
4. Start the claim on the right foot.
Find your policy
Look for the declarations page. Note your deductible and the type of coverage you have.
Report the claim promptly
Most policies require prompt notice. Write down your claim number and the adjuster assigned to you.
Keep a claim log
Write down every call, email and visit: the date, who you talked to and what was said.
Read every letter for deadlines
Some decisions and requests come with time limits. Do not let one pass unnoticed.
5. Be careful before you sign.
Read before you sign
Do not sign anything you do not understand, from anyone. Ask questions first.
Choose your own contractor
You decide who works on your property. Check licenses and insurance, and get the scope in writing.
Do not accept the first estimate without reading it
Compare the estimate to your photos and notes. Look for missing sides, missing items and materials priced as standard.
For condo and HOA boards.
Name one point of contact
One board member or the property manager handles communication with the insurance company.
Tell owners what is happening
A short, consistent update keeps owners informed and cuts down on duplicate calls.
Document every building
Not a sample. Every building, every elevation and every common structure.
Check the master policy
Know the deductible, what the association covers and what unit owners cover. Record board decisions in the minutes.
Resolute Claims Group, LLC. Machesney Park, Illinois. (815) 706-5535. claims@resoluteclaimsgroup.com
This checklist is general information, not legal advice. Every policy and every loss is different. Read your own policy and follow any instructions from emergency officials.