Step 1: Stay Safe Before You Assess
Before you re-enter your home, confirm the structure is safe. Hurricane damage can weaken load-bearing walls, compromise electrical systems, and create gas leaks that aren't immediately visible. Contact your local utility companies if you suspect gas or electrical damage.
Do not enter a home with significant structural damage without a professional assessment. The insurance claim can wait — your safety cannot.
Safety First
Wait for official all-clear from local authorities. Check for structural damage from outside before entering. Turn off main electricity and gas if you suspect damage. Document street-level conditions before entering your property.
Step 2: Document Everything Before Touching Anything
This is the step that most homeowners skip — and it costs them dearly. Do not clean up, move debris, or begin temporary repairs until you have thoroughly documented all damage.
Photograph and video every affected room from multiple angles. Get close-up shots of specific damage alongside wide shots that establish context. Include timestamps if your camera allows it. Document the exterior from all four sides.
Critical areas to capture:
- Roof damage — from inside the attic if safe, and exterior views
- Water intrusion points and standing water levels
- Damaged personal property, furniture, and appliances
- Structural damage to walls, floors, and ceilings
- Any visible mold or moisture staining
- Exterior damage — siding, windows, fencing, detached structures
Do not accept your insurance company's "quick assessment." Insurance adjusters often conduct initial inspections within days of a storm. Their early estimates frequently miss significant damage that becomes apparent over weeks — particularly water intrusion damage, mold, and structural compromise. Your documentation protects you from a lowball initial assessment.
Step 3: Make Temporary Repairs to Prevent Further Damage
Once you've documented all existing damage, you have a duty under your policy to prevent additional damage from occurring. This typically means tarping a damaged roof, boarding broken windows, or pumping out standing water.
Keep all receipts for temporary repairs. These costs are typically reimbursable under your policy. Do not make permanent repairs until your claim has been properly assessed and approved — permanent repairs before documentation can void coverage for underlying damage.
Allowable Temporary Repairs
Tarp damaged roofs. Board broken windows and doors. Pump or remove standing water. Cover broken skylights or vents. These protect against additional damage and are covered — but document them before and after.
Step 4: Contact Your Insurance Company — Carefully
Report the claim to your insurer promptly. Most policies require notification within a specific timeframe, often 30–60 days. Waiting too long can give the insurer grounds to deny your claim.
When you call:
- Report the storm event and that you have damage
- Get a claim number and the name of your assigned adjuster
- Ask for written confirmation of the claim opening
- Do not give a recorded statement until you understand your policy
- Do not accept a settlement offer on the first call
The insurance company's adjuster works for the insurance company. Their initial assessment is not the final word. Many homeowners accept the first offer not knowing it represents a fraction of what they're entitled to.
Step 5: Get an Independent Assessment
This is where most homeowners leave money on the table. Insurance company adjusters are experienced professionals trained to process claims efficiently — which often means settling quickly and below maximum value.
A public adjuster works exclusively for you. They conduct an independent damage assessment, review your policy language, identify covered losses the insurer may have missed, and negotiate on your behalf.
CARE Claims provides a free initial review with no obligation. We handle claims in Florida, Texas, Utah, Nevada, Oklahoma, Colorado, Idaho, and Illinois — the states most affected by hurricane damage.
Before you accept, let us review it. Free consultation, $0 upfront — we only get paid when you get paid more.
Step 6: Keep a Complete Records File
From the moment the storm passes, maintain a dedicated file — physical or digital — containing:
- All photos and videos with timestamps
- Receipts for every temporary repair expense
- All correspondence with your insurance company (written and notes from calls)
- Your policy documents and declarations page
- Contractor estimates for repairs
- Records of temporary housing or hotel costs if displaced
Insurance disputes can extend for months. A complete paper trail is the difference between a strong claim and a weakened one.
What Happens If You Skip These Steps?
The most common outcome: homeowners clean up quickly, accept the first settlement, and later discover that the water damage behind the walls caused mold — which isn't covered once the original damage wasn't properly documented.
Hurricane season in Florida and the Gulf Coast runs June through November. The patterns repeat every year. The adjusters who work for your insurer process hundreds of claims in the weeks following a major storm. Speed and documentation are your only defenses against a process optimized for efficiency over your interests.
If you've already been through a hurricane and aren't sure your claim was handled correctly, read our guide on the 5 most common filing mistakes — and contact us if any apply.
CARE Claims handles claims in FL, TX, UT, NV, OK, CO, ID, and IL. Free consultation. We only get paid when you do.