When something goes wrong with your home — a flooded basement, a kitchen fire, storm damage from a weather event like the one hitting Utah this weekend — the insurance claim process can feel overwhelming on top of an already stressful situation. The good news: a little preparation and methodical documentation can make a huge difference in how smoothly your claim gets resolved.
Here's a practical, step-by-step guide to getting it right from the very first moments after damage occurs.
Step 1: Make It Safe First, Then Document
Before you reach for your phone, make sure it's safe to be in the space. Turn off electricity to flooded areas, don't enter rooms with structural concerns after a fire, and stay out of areas with active gas leaks. Once it's safe — then document, before you touch or clean anything. Insurance adjusters need to see the damage as it actually was, not after you've already started cleanup.
Step 2: Take Photos and Video — Lots of Them
Your smartphone is one of the most powerful claims tools you have. Here's how to use it effectively:
- Start wide, then go close. Begin with full-room shots showing the overall scope of damage, then work your way in to close-ups of specific damage points — water stains, burn marks, broken windows, warped flooring, damaged belongings.
- Photograph every room affected, even those with minor damage. An adjuster may visit days later when things look different.
- Capture entry points. If water came in through a window well, a crack in the foundation, or under a door, photograph that location specifically. It helps establish the cause.
- Don't forget the stuff. Personal property — furniture, appliances, electronics, clothing — needs to be documented too. Open drawers and closets if contents were affected.
- Record video walkthroughs. A slow, narrated video walkthrough of damaged areas can capture context that still photos miss.
- Note timestamps. Most phone cameras embed date and time in photo metadata automatically, but it's worth double-checking your settings.
Step 3: Create a Written Inventory of Damaged Items
For any personal property that was damaged or destroyed, make a list that includes: the item name, approximate age, original purchase price (look for old receipts or bank statements), and an estimated replacement cost. For major appliances and electronics, note the make and model if you can find them. This list doesn't need to be perfect on day one — you can add to it — but starting it early while details are fresh is important.
Step 4: Save Every Receipt Going Forward
From the moment damage occurs, save receipts for everything related to the loss: hotel stays if your home is uninhabitable, meals if you're displaced, emergency supplies, and any temporary repairs you make to prevent further damage (tarps, a plumber's emergency visit, etc.). Many homeowner policies include Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage and coverage for reasonable emergency mitigation costs — but only if you can document them.
Step 5: Write Down a Timeline
As soon as you can, write a brief factual account of what happened: when you first noticed the damage, what you observed, and what steps you took. This doesn't need to be a formal document — even a note in your phone is fine. It helps establish the sequence of events, which matters when an adjuster is trying to determine cause and timing.
Step 6: Contact Your Insurer Promptly
Most homeowner policies require you to report damage promptly — delays can complicate your claim. When you call, have your policy number ready, and ask your insurer specifically: what documentation they'll need, whether you need to get multiple repair estimates, and whether they'll send an adjuster or use a third-party inspection service.
One More Tip: Work With Your Restoration Company
A reputable water, fire, or mold restoration contractor — like The Disaster Repair Team — will produce a detailed scope of work and moisture readings that become part of your claim file. Professional documentation from your restoration team often carries significant weight with insurance adjusters because it's objective and technical. Make sure to request copies of everything your contractor produces for your own records.
If you're dealing with damage right now — especially with the current Flood Watch in effect across Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah, and Tooele counties — DRT is available 24/7. We'll help you get dry, get documented, and get back to normal.