What to Document After Storm Damage

After thunderstorms, high winds and tropical storms, good photos and notes make an insurance claim easier. This is a general checklist, not insurance advice. Your policy and your insurer's instructions come first.

Before you clean up

• Take wide photos of each side of the home, then close-ups of each damaged spot.
• Photograph the roof edges, vents and any lifted or missing pieces from the ground. Don't climb on a damaged roof.
• Photograph skirting, steps, decks, carports and sheds.
• Inside, photograph ceiling stains, wet floors, soft spots and damaged belongings.
• Take a short video walking around the outside and through each room.
• Include something for scale, like a tape measure, and make sure the date is saved on the files.

Write it down

• The date and time of the storm and when you noticed the damage
• What was damaged and where
• Anything you did to stop more damage, such as tarps or shutting off water, with receipts
• Who you spoke to and when (insurer, park office, provider)

Keep it safe

Back up the photos to email or cloud storage. Keep damaged items until your insurer says you can throw them out. Ask the repair provider for a written description of the damage they find.

Ready for repairs? See emergency repairs or call (828) 860-2401.