A free, interactive checklist for anyone filing a water damage claim — ours or not. Check items off as you go, or print it for reference. No signup, no email required.
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Photos and video of all damage — walls, flooring, belongings — before moving or discarding a single item. This is the single most disputed part of any claim.
Shut off water at the main or the fixture. Don't enter standing water near electrical outlets or panels.
Most policies require notification within a specific window — often 24-48 hours. Delaying can genuinely jeopardize the claim, even if the damage itself is covered.
A licensed restoration company's documented, itemized estimate carries real weight with an adjuster — far more than a verbal description.
Emergency mitigation costs, temporary repairs, even hotel stays if the home's uninhabitable — many policies reimburse these separately from the main claim.
Your adjuster may want to inspect damaged belongings directly. Photograph first, and check with your adjuster before large-scale disposal.
When it happened, when you noticed it, when you called your insurer, when mitigation started — a clear timeline strengthens a claim and speeds up the process.
Most policies cover sudden, accidental damage (a burst pipe) but exclude gradual damage (a slow, long-term leak). Ask your adjuster directly which category applies.
You're entitled to request an independent adjuster or a second assessment if you disagree with the initial determination.
Dealing with real water damage right now?
Call (405) 433-7396