Education-Only

Property Damage Insurance Guide

A clear, step-by-step playbook for organizing water, fire/smoke, or mold/IAQ claims—so your first call with the carrier is calm and productive.

This guide is for education only. It’s not legal advice and doesn’t replace your policy or your carrier’s instructions.

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10-Minute Checklist

Quick Start

  • Avoid standing water near outlets; watch ceilings for sag; shut off utilities only if safe.

  • Close water valves; cap supply lines; ventilate smoke as advised.

    • Photos: 10–20 per room (wide → medium → close).

    • Video: 30–60 second walkthrough stating date, address, and what happened.

  • Rooms, materials (drywall, baseboards, flooring), and contents (rugs, electronics, furniture).

  • Fans, filters, tarps, temporary repairs.

  • When you discovered the issue and how long it may have been active.

(Sample Script)

What to Say on the First Call

“Hi, I’m reporting [water / fire & smoke / mold or IAQ] damage found on [date/time] at [address].
I have photos, video, and an itemized list of affected rooms/materials.
Could you give me a claim number, the expected adjuster contact, and any mitigation steps you authorize now?”

Man with beard and short dark hair, wearing a light gray polo shirt, talking on a smartphone while sitting at a wooden desk with a laptop, notebook, and plants. In the background, a bicycle is visible against a gray wall in a modern living space.

Property

Documentation

Photo Prompts
(per room)

  • 2–3 wide shots showing context

  • 3–5 medium shots of walls, floors, baseboards, cabinets

  • Close-ups of visible damage (staining, buckling, soot, residue, microbial growth)

  • “Ruler shots” to show scale (place a tape measure in frame)

Video Prompt
(30–45 sec)

“Today is [date-time] -at [address].

We discovered [issue] in [rooms]. I’m showing visible damage and where water/smoke traveled.”

Contents List
(Non-Salvageable)

  • What Room?

  • Items damaged

  • Quantity

  • Description

  • Gather any receipts you may have.

Adjuster will request you start a list of damaged items that are non-salvageable. Adjuster will take notes of items that look to be non-salvageable.

Communication Log

Photos; before/after photos

Record of contractors, insurance adjusters, engineers, etc.

Keep a notebook of people who will be assisting you during this time with emails, and contact information. Take notes to remind yourself who they are and can get confusing.

Keep emails of conversations for your records.

Considering testing or moisture readings? See Mold Inspection & Testing

Education

Mitigation: What Carriers Often Expect

A blue outline of a water droplet.

Water

Stop source, remove standing water, begin controlled drying (LGR/desiccant dehumidifiers), verify with moisture readings.

A black icon of a flame enclosed in a water droplet shape.

Fire/Smoke

Residue-specific cleaning (dry/wet/protein), HVAC decontamination, BioSweep® odor deodorization.

Illustration of a virus or germ with circular shapes and spikes.

Mold/IAQ

Fix moisture source first; assess amount of damage, possible testing to determine mold spore levels or type if needed. Making informed decisions.

When BioSweep® Makes Sense

When to Consider Testing

  • Mold/IAQ concerns after >48–72 hours of dampness

  • Post-remediation verification (PRV) to confirm success

  • Fire residue questions (especially protein fires)

Learn more

Houston & Austin Notes

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Houston humidity accelerates secondary damage; drying targets and dehumidification matter.

Austin storms can drive wind-blown rain into attics/walls—trace moisture paths carefully.


Local help: Houston | Austin

Common Pitfalls (Avoid These)

  • A large, two-story house with a gray exterior and white trim, featuring a front porch, multiple windows, and a three-car garage, illuminated at dusk.

    Will this guarantee coverage?

    No. Policies vary. Use this guide to get organized and ask better questions.

  • A person wearing a respirator mask, yellow gloves, and a shirt with the logo 'RESTORE ME' is kneeling on the floor cleaning soot and smoke damage from a wooden kitchen wall with a scrub brush. Three buckets are nearby.

    Should I approve work before an adjuster visit?

    Follow your policy and carrier guidance. Ask what mitigation they authorize immediately (water extraction, drying, temporary protection).

  • A person working on installing a radiant floor heating system in a room, with yellow hoses and floor mats, and construction equipment around.

    How long does drying take?

    Typically 2–5 days, verified with moisture readings.

  • Close-up of a hand pressing a button on a device mounted on a tripod, with a small container on top of the device, inside a room with a door and a gray sofa.

    Do I need PRV testing?

    If significant mold cleanup occurred, PRV can document success.

Proven Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We offer fast local scheduling. Availability depends on city and project scope—contact us for the earliest slot.

  • We aim to dry in place when safe and practical. If materials can’t reach target moisture levels, we’ll discuss selective removal.

  • If conditions suggest risk, we can perform mold inspection & testing with lab-backed reports.

    Learn more

  • Not always. When odors persist after drying, BioSweep® can neutralize remaining odor molecules at the source.

  • We provide guides and education so you can talk confidently with your carrier. Start here

Ready to get organized?

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