What to Do in the First 48 Hours After Storm Damage

Your first job is to create a visual record of the damage — before any cleanup, before any temporary repairs, before anything is moved. Insurers often dispute claims where the damage isn't well-documented at the time of loss.

• Walk every room, every exterior surface, every affected area with your phone camera on video. Narrate as you go — note water height marks, structural shifts, broken seals.
• Photograph from multiple angles and distances. Wide shots establish context; close-ups show detail.
• Document the date and time by including a photo of a clock or newspaper in the same frame, or by checking that your phone's camera metadata is enabled.
• If you have pre-loss photos (from real estate listings, prior claims, or social media), save them now. Before-and-after comparisons are powerful.

Your policy requires you to mitigate further damage. That means tarping an exposed roof, boarding a broken window, or extracting standing water. It does not mean replacing materials, repainting, or making the home look like nothing happened.

• Tarp, board, and secure — but photograph every emergency step you take.
• Keep every receipt for emergency services, materials, and contractor costs. These are reimbursable expenses.
• Do not allow contractors to begin permanent repairs until your claim is documented and an adjuster has inspected.

Florida law requires you to give your insurer notice of a claim "as soon as practicable." Don't wait days to call — file immediately, even if you're still assessing the damage.

• Call your carrier's claims line and get a claim number. Write it down.
• Note the name of every person you speak with and the time of the call.
• Ask for the expected timeline for an adjuster visit and get it in writing (email is fine).
• Do not provide a recorded statement without first understanding what you're agreeing to.

Most homeowners have never read their insurance policy. Now is the time. You don't need to read all 80 pages — focus on the declarations page and the coverage sections.

• Coverage A (Dwelling): Your structure limit. Is it enough to rebuild at today's material costs?
• Coverage B (Other Structures): Fences, detached garages, sheds — often separate from the dwelling limit.
• Coverage C (Personal Property): Your belongings. Know whether you have ACV or replacement cost for contents.
• Coverage D (Loss of Use / ALE): If your home is uninhabitable, this covers hotel and living expenses.
• Deductibles: Florida policies often have a separate hurricane deductible (typically 2–5% of your insured value). Know yours before you're surprised.

The insurance company will send their own adjuster. That adjuster works for — or is paid by — the carrier. Their job is to assess the claim; their employer's interest is to keep payouts low. Getting your own independent estimate before their visit gives you a benchmark.

• Contact a licensed contractor in your trade area and ask for a repair scope and estimate. Our provider directory lists vetted contractors by county.
• If the damage is significant (over $10,000), consider engaging a licensed public adjuster before the carrier's adjuster arrives. A PA documents the damage independently and advocates for your interests throughout the claim.

Every dollar you spend as a direct result of this loss — temporary housing, meals while displaced, storage, emergency repairs, replacement of essential items — is potentially reimbursable.

• Start a dedicated folder (physical or digital) for all receipts.
• Log every phone call, every visit, every contractor quote — date, time, who you spoke to, what was said.
• If you must leave your home, keep hotel receipts, restaurant receipts, and any documentation of your Additional Living Expense (ALE) claim.