Submitting Your Claim: Checklist

Give your name, address, policy number, and the date and time of your loss.
Make sure to tell your insurance agent where you can be reached, especially if you are unable to stay in your home.
Follow up the call with a letter detailing the problem. Keep a copy of the letter.

Make a detailed list of lost or damaged property.
Videotape and/or photograph damaged property before beginning any repairs.
Do not throw away damaged property without your adjustor’s approval.
Try to document the value of each object lost. Bills of sale, canceled checks, charge account records, and insurance evaluations are good evidence. If you have no such records, estimate the value, and give purchase place and date of purchase. Include this information with your list.
List cleaning and repair bills, including materials, cost of rental equipment, and depreciation of purchased equipment.
List any additional living expenses you incur if your home is so severely damaged that you have to find other accommodations while repairs are being made (this includes motel bills, restaurant bills, home rental, and/or car rental).

Patch roofs temporarily. Cover broken windows with boards or plastic.
If household furnishings are exposed to weather, move them to a safe location for storage.
If your home has been flooded, protect your family’s health by cleaning up your home right away.