What should I document after water damage for insurance?

The Documentation Checklist

• Wide photos of each affected room from multiple angles.
• Close photos of the source: split pipe, failed hose, backed-up drain.
• Slow narrated video walkthrough of the whole affected area.
• Photos of water lines on walls and of wet flooring boundaries.
• Contents inventory: item, description, brand, age, purchase price, photo.
• Moisture readings and the crew's daily monitoring logs.
• Scope of work, invoices, and dry standard verification.
• Receipts for emergency purchases, lodging, and meals if displaced.
• Communication log: adjuster name, claim number, dates, and summaries.

Practical Tips

• Photograph before moving contents, even in an emergency; thirty seconds is enough.
• Include something for scale in close photos, such as a tape measure.
• Video the contents of closets, cabinets, and storage areas.
• Save everything to cloud storage so nothing is lost with a damaged device.
• Keep damaged items, or photograph them thoroughly, until the adjuster has reviewed them.

What Adjusters Look For

Cause, date of loss, extent, and timeliness of mitigation. Documentation that establishes those four clearly resolves most questions quickly. Missing evidence on any of them is where claims stall, because the file cannot support the scope being requested.

Exceptions and Important Considerations

• Do not enter unsafe areas to document; a sagging ceiling or sewage-flooded room is not worth a photo.
• For sewage losses, document from the doorway rather than walking through contaminated water.
• Some carriers require a proof of loss form within a specific window; ask about deadlines.

Related Questions

Sources

• National Association of Insurance Commissioners: Homeowners Insurance
• Colorado Division of Insurance