How do you claim storm damage inside your house?
Connect inside to outside
The adjuster will ask how the water got in. A stain under a spot where shingles blew off, a soaked wall below a window broken by hail, or a ceiling hole where a limb came through are straightforward. A stain under an old pipe boot or a valley clogged with leaves may be called maintenance. Your roofer's inspection should identify the entry point with photos from the roof and the attic.
Dry fast
Wet drywall and insulation can grow mold within days. Pull back wet carpet, run fans and dehumidifiers, and call a water mitigation company for larger losses. Many policies limit mold coverage, so speed protects you. See interior water damage coverage.
Document room by room
- Wide shots of each room, then close-ups of stains, sagging ceilings and wet flooring.
- Attic photos of wet insulation and decking.
- Moisture readings, if a mitigation company takes them.
- A list of damaged belongings with age, original cost and replacement cost.
What usually belongs on the claim
- Drywall, texture, paint and trim.
- Insulation and attic decking.
- Flooring and padding.
- Lights, fans and wiring damaged by water.
- Furniture, electronics, clothing and other contents.
- Hotel costs if rooms are unusable, under loss of use.
Order of repairs
Fix the roof first, then the interior, so new drywall is not soaked again. See emergency tarping and mitigation.