Proving an insurance loss is the responsibility of the insured. You will need to document as much of the damage as possible; this should not only include all recent related damages but also include any pre-loss evidence you can gather showing the condition before the event occurred to help demonstrate the extent of your loss, pre-existing vs. event-related damages.
Take Photos and Video – all current damage of your home’s interior and exterior. Look for any pre-existing photos you may have taken in the recent past which can be used for “before and after” purposes. The carrier will not be able to claim the damage was pre-existing or normal wear and tear.”
Document The Damage – Keep track, and make duplicate copies of all estimates and receipts. Also, prepare a detailed inventory of all damaged possessions, with their approximate age, initial price, and estimated cost to replace.
Make Temporary Repairs – Don’t wait for the insurance adjuster to start making temporary repairs. Broken windows and leaking roofs should be fixed or tarped immediately so the insurance company can’t dismiss any claims as to the result of waiting too long to do act. Again, save all receipts and documentation and the insurer will most likely reimburse these expenses.
