Storm damage documentation checklist

Safety first

Don’t go into a damaged building until it’s safe, and follow what local officials tell you. Photos can wait; you can’t replace yourself.

Before you clean up or move anything

• Photograph every room: a wide shot from the doorway, then close-ups of each damaged area.
• Photograph the outside: roof, siding, windows, gutters, fences, sheds and any vehicles.
• Record a short video walking through the house, saying what you see as you go.
• If water came in, photograph the water line on walls and furniture, with something for scale.
• Write down when the damage happened and what you saw, while it’s fresh.

Damaged belongings

• Photograph each damaged item before it’s thrown out, including brand labels, model numbers and serial numbers.
• Ask your insurer before throwing out large items; some want to see them first.
• Start a list as you go: what the item is, which room, how many, brand and model, roughly when you bought it. The damaged property inventory guide has a full list of what to record.

Receipts and costs

• Keep receipts for emergency work, such as tarps, boarding up windows or water removal.
• Keep receipts for hotels, meals and other costs while you can’t live at home. The expenses and receipts guide explains how to keep them in order.
• Photograph paper receipts the same day; receipts printed on thermal paper fade.

Your claim

• Write down your claim number and your policy number.
• Write down your adjuster’s name, phone number and email.
• Keep a log of every call: the date, who you spoke to, what was said and anything promised.
• Keep every letter and email from your insurer, and mark any dates you’re asked to meet.
• Look for “before” photos of your home on your phone, old social media posts or a real estate listing.
• Back up your photos and records somewhere other than your phone.

Keeping it all in one place

Paper folders, a notebook and your phone’s camera are enough to follow this guide. If you’d rather keep it together on your phone, Claim Binder (now in beta testing on iPhone and iPad) holds your photos, items, receipts, contacts and deadlines in one place on your iPhone or iPad, even without electricity or cell signal. Once it’s out, install it before a storm so it’s ready when you need it.