Water damage claim checklist

Stop the water if you safely can. Shut off the main water valve, and turn off power to wet rooms if you can reach the panel without standing in water.

Take photos and video of every wet room, the source of the leak and damaged belongings before anything is moved or thrown out.

Get drying started. Most policies expect you to prevent more damage, and drying within 24 to 48 hours is what stops mold.

Report the damage to your insurance company and write down the claim number.

Keep the part that failed: the burst pipe section, the split hose or the old water heater.

Get your adjuster's name, phone number and email.

Keep every receipt: hotel, meals out, fans, plumbing repairs and emergency services.

Make a room-by-room list of damaged items with what it is, how old it is and what it cost.

Ask the drying company for copies of its moisture readings and drying logs.

Don't throw out damaged items until the adjuster has seen them or says in writing that you can.

Read the water damage sections of your policy and find your deductible on the declarations page.

Keep a claim log: the date, who you talked to and what they said.

Follow up every phone call with a short email that sums it up.

Get the adjuster's estimate in writing and compare it line by line with your contractor's.

Watch for musty smells or stains. Mold can show up weeks later if drying was rushed.

If anything is denied or cut, ask for the reason in writing, with the policy language it relies on.

Your policy and its declarations page

Photos and video of the damage

Receipts and invoices

Contractor estimates and drying logs

Every letter and email from the insurance company