STORM DAMAGE CLAIM KIT
What Every Homeowner Should Do Before, During & After a Storm
🧠 BEFORE YOU START
Read this first (it matters)
Insurance does NOT pay because something is damaged.
👉 It pays based on what CAUSED the damage
That means:
A storm = potentially covered
An old roof = not covered
This guide helps you protect your claim before it even starts
🚨 STEP 1 — RIGHT AFTER THE STORM
✔ Do this immediately (same day if possible)
☐ Walk around your property
☐ Take photos of everything (even if unsure)
☐ Look for visible changes — not just obvious damage
🔍 What to look for:
Missing or lifted shingles
Debris on the roof
Fallen branches
Gutters pulling away
Water stains on ceilings
Damp drywall or flooring
⚠️ Important
Even small signs matter.
👉 What looks minor now can become a major claim later
📅 STEP 2 — LOCK IN THE STORM DATE
Write this down immediately:
📍 Date of storm: ___________
📍 Time (if known): ___________
📍 What you noticed first: ___________
Why this matters:
This is one of the biggest reasons claims get approved or denied.
👉 No storm date = weak claim
👉 Clear storm date = strong claim
📸 STEP 3 — TAKE THE RIGHT PHOTOS
✔ Exterior Photos
☐ Wide shot of the roof
☐ Close-ups of damaged areas
☐ Missing or lifted shingles
☐ Debris or tree impact
☐ Gutters and downspouts
✔ Interior Photos
☐ Ceiling stains
☐ Walls with moisture
☐ Floors affected by water
☐ Attic (if accessible)
📌 Pro Tip:
Take more photos than you think you need.
👉 You can't go back and recreate this later
⏱️ STEP 4 — DON’T WAIT TO ACT
✔ Timeline matters
Report damage quickly
Don't wait weeks
❌ Waiting leads to:
“Pre-existing damage” claims
“Maintenance issue” denials
Reduced or denied coverage
🧾 STEP 5 — HOW TO DESCRIBE THE DAMAGE
✔ Say this:
“After the storm on [date], we noticed damage.”
❌ Avoid saying:
“We just noticed a leak.”
“The roof has been getting worse.”
“It's probably old.”
👉 The way you describe it shapes your claim outcome
⚠️ STEP 6 — COMMON CLAIM MISTAKES
Avoid these — they cost homeowners thousands:
❌ No documentation
❌ No storm date
❌ Waiting too long
❌ Assuming insurance will “figure it out.”
❌ Letting the adjuster inspect alone without context
💲 STEP 7 — UNDERSTANDING YOUR DEDUCTIBLE
Before filing, ask:
What is my deductible?
Does the damage exceed it?
👉 If damage is below your deductible, insurance won’t pay.
🧱 STEP 8 — WHAT INSURANCE IS REALLY LOOKING FOR
They are NOT asking:
👉 “Is the roof damaged?”
They are asking:
👉 “Was this caused by a covered event?”
✔ Strong claim:
Sudden damage
Clear storm connection
Visible physical impact
❌ Weak claim:
Old roof
Gradual wear
No visible cause
🧭 STEP 9 — KNOW YOUR COVERAGE STRUCTURE
If you have:
California FAIR Plan Association
a second (companion) policy
👉 Your coverage is split
⚠️ Important:
FAIR Plan handles storm damage
Companion policy usually does NOT
One policy does NOT back up the other
🤝 STEP 10 — WHEN TO CALL FOR HELP
If you're unsure about ANY of the following:
What caused the damage
Whether it’s worth filing a claim
How to document it properly
👉 Don't guess!
🛠️ HOW IMAGINEER REMODELING HELPS
We don’t just “look at damage.” We help homeowners:
✔ Understand what their policy actually covers
✔ Identify cause vs. condition
✔ Document damage properly from the start
✔ Avoid mistakes that lead to denied claims
✔ Navigate the process with clarity and confidence
💬 Why this matters
We’ve seen it too many times:
👉 Good claims denied
👉 Not because damage wasn’t real
👉 But because it wasn’t presented correctly
📞 NEED A SECOND SET OF EYES?
If something feels off after a storm, it usually is. We’re here to help you make sense of it.
💡 Final Thought
The goal isn’t to file more claims. It’s to file better ones. And the difference starts before you ever call insurance.