How to Document Damage for Your Insurance Claim

Photograph everything immediately

Before cleaning up, moving anything, or starting any repairs, take photos and video of all damaged areas. Start with wide shots showing the full scope of the damage, then take close-ups of specific damage. Photograph every room that was affected, even if the damage seems minor.

Capture water lines on walls, staining on ceilings, buckled flooring, and any standing water. Take photos from multiple angles.

Document materials and quality

Take close-up photos of damaged materials that show their quality level. Photograph the grain pattern of hardwood floors, the construction details of cabinets (open the doors and drawers), the edge profile of countertops, and the brand names on appliances and fixtures. This documentation proves what grade of materials you had before the damage, which is essential for getting a like-kind-and-qualityLike-Kind-and-Quality Replacement in Insurance ClaimsYour insurance policy requires that damaged materials be replaced with materials of 'like kind and quality.' This means if you have solid hardwood ...
Read more → replacement.

Keep a written timeline

Write down what happened and when. Note the date and time you discovered the damage, what you did in response, when you called your insurance company, when the adjuster visited, and what they said. Keep a log of every phone call and email with your insurer, including the name of the person you spoke with.

This timeline becomes crucial if there are delays or disputes.

Save receipts and records

Keep every receipt related to the damage and repair. Emergency mitigation costs (water extractionProfessional Water Extraction and Drying: Why It Matters for Your ClaimAfter any water damage event, professional water extraction and structural drying is the first and most important step in the restoration process. ...
Read more →, temporary tarps), hotel and meal receipts for ALEAdditional Living Expenses (ALE) Coverage in Your Insurance ClaimWhen your home is uninhabitable during repairs, your insurance policy typically covers the additional costs of living elsewhere. This is called Add...
Read more → claims, contractor estimates and invoices, and any purchases you make to protect your property from further damage. Digital copies are fine, but keep organized folders so you can produce any receipt quickly when asked.

What to do

Start documenting the moment you discover damage. Use your phone camera with location and time stamps enabled. Take at least 50-100 photos for a significant claim.

Email copies to yourself so they are saved in the cloud. Do not delete any photos, even ones that seem duplicative. More documentation is always better than less.

If you hire a public adjusterWhen Should You Hire a Public Adjuster for Your Insurance Claim?A public adjuster is a licensed professional who represents you, the homeowner, in your insurance claim. Unlike the company adjuster who works for ...
Read more → or contractor, share all documentation with them.