Storms can move fast, and the first hours after one cause more damage than the storm itself when steps are missed. This page walks through what to do right away, what to document, and how to file your claim quickly so repairs can begin.
1. Make sure everyone is safe first
- If anyone is hurt, call 911.
- Stay away from downed power lines, broken glass, sagging ceilings, and anything sparking or smoking.
- If the home isn’t safe, find somewhere else to stay before you do anything else. Most homeowners policies include Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage that helps with hotel and food costs while your home is being repaired.
- If gas, water, or electricity is compromised, shut them off at the main and call the utility.
2. Stop the damage from getting worse
Your policy expects you to take “reasonable temporary measures” to prevent further damage. That can include:
- Tarp roof holes or broken windows so rain doesn’t keep coming in.
- Move undamaged items away from leaks.
- Remove standing water if it’s safe to do so.
- Board up openings against further weather or theft.
Save every receipt for tarps, plywood, hotel stays, and emergency repairs — these are usually reimbursable under your policy.
3. Document everything
The more you can show your carrier, the faster the claim moves. Before any cleanup that goes beyond the temporary fixes above:
- Take wide photos and short videos of every affected room or exterior area.
- Take close-up photos of damaged items, especially anything expensive.
- Note the date and approximate time of the damage.
- If trees or branches caused damage, photograph them where they landed before removal.
- Keep damaged items if it’s safe to — carriers sometimes want to see them.
4. File the claim
You have two ways to get a claim started:
- Call us at (734) 525-9450 during business hours. We’ll walk through the situation with you and help you get the claim filed with your carrier.
- Go straight to your carrier outside of business hours — the fastest option after a major event. Carrier claim phones and websites are listed on our File A Claim page.
5. Before the adjuster arrives
- Keep your documentation organized — one folder of photos, one folder of receipts.
- Make a list of damaged items with rough estimates if you have them.
- If a contractor has already given you a written quote for repairs, keep it.
- Don’t sign anything from a “public adjuster” or “contractor” who shows up door-to-door without checking with us first — storm chasers target affected areas after big events.
A few things people get wrong
- Don’t fully clean up before documenting. Wide photos and videos first, then cleanup.
- Don’t throw damaged items away too quickly. The adjuster may want to see them.
- Don’t accept a fast cash settlement before you’ve had time to estimate the full repair cost. Hidden damage often shows up days or weeks later.
- Flooding is usually NOT covered under a standard homeowners policy — that’s a separate flood policy. Wind-driven rain through a damaged roof typically IS covered. Call us if you’re not sure which applies.
