Step 1
Ensure safety and evacuate if necessary
Shut off water, turn off electricity to affected areas. If structural or fire danger exists, get everyone out and call 911.
Insurance Claims Guide
The First 60 Minutes After Property Damage: Your Action Plan
What you do in the first hour after discovering property damage determines how your entire claim plays out. Safety first, then document, mitigate, and report — in that order. This guide gives you the step-by-step plan.
- Safety First
- Document Fast
- Begin Mitigation
- Report Immediately
Key Steps
What you need to know
Step 2
Document everything BEFORE touching anything
Once safe, grab your phone. Take hundreds of photos and a narrated video walkthrough. Photograph the source of damage, every affected room, and all damaged items.
Step 3
Begin emergency mitigation immediately
Start water extraction, tarp the roof, board up windows. Don't wait for the adjuster. Your policy REQUIRES you to prevent further damage. Save all receipts.
Step 4
Call your insurance company
Report within the first hour if possible. Get your claim number. Write down the representative's name and direct contact.
Step 5
Start your claim diary
Note the time damage was discovered, every action taken, every call made, and every person spoken to. This record is invaluable for disputes.
Key Takeaways
Safety always comes first — shut off utilities before entering damaged areas
Your policy requires you to mitigate further damage — never wait for the adjuster
Document everything with photos and video before anyone touches anything
Report to your insurer within the first hour if possible, always within 24 hours
Emergency mitigation costs are reimbursable — save every receipt
A claim diary tracking every call and decision is your most underrated tool
Visual Reference
Insurance and restoration in practice
Real-world examples of the documentation, coordination, and processes involved in insurance claims.
Emergency Response
The first hour is critical. Safety, documentation, mitigation, and reporting — in that order.
Document Immediately
Before anyone touches anything, photograph every angle of every affected area.
Begin Mitigation
Professional restoration teams extract water and deploy drying equipment immediately upon arrival.
Step-by-Step
How the process works
Understanding each step gives you leverage and helps prevent common problems.
1
Minutes 0-10: Safety and source control
Evacuate if needed. Shut off water supply or electricity. Address immediate hazards.
2
Minutes 10-25: Document the damage
Photographs, video walkthrough, inventory of visible damage. Capture the cause and the result.
3
Minutes 25-45: Begin emergency mitigation
Water extraction, tarping, board-up. Call a professional restoration company for immediate response.
4
Minutes 45-60: Report and organize
Call your insurer, get a claim number, start your diary, and secure any important documents or valuables that can be moved safely.
State-specific notes
South Florida
During hurricane season, expect delays in adjuster response. Begin mitigation immediately and document everything. Palm Build responds 24/7.
Charlotte / NC
Pipe bursts from freezing are common in winter. Shut off the main water valve immediately and begin extraction before calling insurance.
Coastal SC
Storm surge and wind damage may involve both homeowners and flood policies. Document both exterior and interior damage separately.
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