What to Do After Storm Damage: 7 Steps to Help Protect Your Insurance Claim
- Adam Overmyer
- 3 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Summer storms are a fact of life throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Strong winds, hail, heavy rain, lightning, and fallen trees can cause significant damage to homes and businesses in just a matter of minutes.
If your property is damaged during a storm, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, taking the right steps immediately afterward can help protect your property, simplify the insurance claims process, and reduce the risk of additional damage.
Here are seven important steps every homeowner and business owner should follow after storm damage.
Please note:Â Every insurance policy is different. The information below is intended for general educational purposes and should not replace the terms, conditions, exclusions, or endorsements contained in your individual insurance policy.
1. Make Safety Your First Priority
Before inspecting your property, make sure everyone is safe.
Avoid entering damaged buildings if they're structurally unsafe, stay away from downed power lines, and use caution around standing water or broken glass. If emergency services have restricted access to your area, wait until it's safe before returning.
For business owners, ensure employees and customers remain out of hazardous areas until the property can be safely occupied.
2. Prevent Further Damage
Once it's safe to do so, take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage to your property.
Examples include:
Placing a tarp over a damaged roof
Boarding up broken windows
Shutting off the water if a pipe has burst
Removing belongings from active leaks
Hiring a mitigation company if water intrusion is significant
Most property insurance policies require you to take reasonable steps to protect your property after a loss. Acting quickly may help minimize further damage while your claim is being processed.
3. Document Everything
Before cleaning up, take plenty of photos and videos of the damage.
Be sure to document:
Roof damage
Broken siding or windows
Fallen trees
Water damage
Damaged personal belongings
Business equipment or inventory
Exterior and interior damage from multiple angles
The more documentation you have, the easier it can be to demonstrate the extent of the loss during the claims process.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company or Insurance Agent
Report the claim to your insurance company as soon as possible.
If you work with an independent insurance agent, they can help explain the claims process and answer questions about your policy. Reporting the claim promptly allows the insurance company to begin assigning an adjuster and moving your claim forward.
5. Save Every Receipt
Keep receipts for any emergency expenses related to protecting your property.
Examples may include:
Roof tarping
Emergency board-up services
Water mitigation
Temporary repairs
Hotel accommodations (when covered under your policy)
Emergency supplies purchased because of the loss
Depending on your policy, some of these expenses may be reimbursable.
6. Be Cautious of Storm Chasers
After widespread storms, it's common for contractors from outside the area to go door-to-door offering immediate repairs.
While many contractors are reputable, be cautious if someone:
Shows up uninvited
Pressures you to sign immediately
Requests a large upfront payment
Promises to "waive" or "cover" your insurance deductible
Wants you to sign insurance paperwork before your claim has been reviewed
Take your time, research the contractor, and make sure you understand exactly what you're agreeing to before signing anything.
Never feel pressured to hire the first contractor who knocks on your door. Reputable contractors understand that you may want to speak with your insurance company and obtain multiple estimates before making a decision.
7. Don't Sign Repair Contracts Until You've Spoken With Your Insurance Company
One of the biggest mistakes property owners make is signing a repair contract too quickly.
Before authorizing repairs:
Understand what your insurance policy covers.
Review any estimates with your insurance company.
Ask questions if something doesn't seem right.
Read every contract carefully before signing.
Taking a few extra minutes upfront can help you avoid misunderstandings and unexpected costs later.
Watch: Storm Damage Insurance Claim Tips
If you'd like a quick overview, watch our short video below where we walk through these seven steps after storm damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I wait for the insurance adjuster before making emergency repairs?
No. If it's safe to do so, you should take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage, such as tarping a roof or boarding broken windows. Just be sure to document the damage first and keep all receipts.
Should I throw away damaged items?
Unless they present a health or safety hazard, it's generally a good idea to keep damaged items until your insurance company advises that they can be discarded. Be sure to take photos before disposing of anything.
What if a contractor knocks on my door after a storm?
Use caution. Verify licensing, check references and online reviews, and avoid signing contracts or making commitments before speaking with your insurance company.
Does homeowners insurance cover storm damage?
Many homeowners insurance policies cover damage caused by wind, hail, lightning, and fallen trees, subject to the policy's terms, conditions, deductibles, and exclusions. Coverage can vary, so it's important to review your individual policy.
Should I make temporary repairs before the insurance adjuster arrives?
Yes. If it is safe to do so, you should take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage, such as covering a damaged roof with a tarp or boarding broken windows. Just remember to document the damage first and keep receipts for any emergency repairs.
Final Thoughts
Storm damage is stressful, but taking the proper steps immediately afterward can help protect both your property and your insurance claim.
Remember these seven steps:
Keep everyone safe.
Prevent further damage.
Document everything.
Contact your insurance company or insurance agent.
Save every receipt.
Be cautious of storm chasers.
Don't sign repair contracts until you've spoken with your insurance company.
If you're already a client of The Overmyer Insurance Agency and experience storm damage, please contact us as soon as possible. We'll help guide you through your insurance company's claims process and answer any questions you may have along the way.
If you're not currently insured through our agency, we hope these tips help you navigate the claims process with your insurance company.
If you're looking for an independent insurance agency serving homeowners and business owners throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, we'd be happy to review your current insurance coverage and see if we may be a good fit for your insurance needs.
Learn what information you'll need to get an accurate homeowners insurance quote.