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Water & Fire Damage: Insurance Claim Checklist

14 steps — what to do, and when, to protect your claim from the first hour through the final settlement.

What’s inside

A two-page reference you can work through as the claim unfolds.

Most of the mistakes that limit recoveries happen in the first 48 hours — before the policyholder fully understands what is at stake. This checklist walks you through each phase of the claim in the order it matters, with the five most critical steps highlighted.

Right Away
First 24–48 hours
1 Put safety first. Shut off water or power to the affected area before entering.
2 Prevent further damage. Most policies require reasonable steps to protect the property. Don’t wait for the adjuster to start drying.
3 Report the claim promptly. Key Step Write down your claim number, adjuster’s name, phone and email.
4 Document before anything is removed. Key Step Photograph every affected room. Keep samples of removed materials until the adjuster has seen them.
The First Few Weeks
5 Keep every receipt. Key Step Mitigation, emergency repairs, hotel, meals — anything paid out of pocket.
6 Get the mitigation records. Moisture readings, drying logs, photos and invoice from the mitigation company.
7 Be there for the inspection. Walk the adjuster through every affected area. Take your own notes.
8 Inventory damaged belongings. List each item with description, age, and where purchased. Photograph before discarding.
When the Estimate Arrives
9 Check the estimate line by line. Key Step Compare rooms, measurements, quantities, and materials to the actual damage.
10 Understand how payment works. The first check is often Actual Cash Value. Recoverable depreciation comes later — and has a deadline.
Throughout the Claim
11 Confirm conversations in writing. Key Step After every call, send an email recap. Keep a contact log.
12 Know the Texas claim-handling deadlines. Insurance Code Chapter 542 sets statutory timelines for acknowledgment, response, and payment.
13 Read your policy. Duties after a loss, proof-of-loss requirements, coverage limits, and any mold or water-damage sublimits.
Before Repairs Begin
14 Don’t close the walls too soon. Once drywall and flooring go back in, the evidence is gone. Settle the scope before reconstruction covers it up.
Prepared by Bill Spell, Licensed Public Insurance Adjuster — Versa Public Claims Adjusting, LLC — Texas Agency License #3311808. This checklist is general information, not legal advice. Policy terms vary; refer to your policy.
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Water & Fire Damage: Insurance Claim Checklist
2-page PDF — print it or keep it on your phone. Free. You don’t have to fill out anything.
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