Property Claim Help Center
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What to Do Immediately
Your safety comes first. Do not enter an unsafe building, touch exposed electrical wiring, walk through standing water near electricity, or attempt repairs that place you in danger.
Leave the property when necessary. Follow instructions from firefighters, police officers, utility companies, building officials, and emergency personnel.
1. Confirm Everyone Is Safe
Check all occupants and pets. Call emergency services immediately when anyone may be injured or in danger.
2. Stop the Source When Safe
Turn off a water supply, electricity, or another source only when it can be done safely and without entering a hazardous area.
3. Prevent Additional Damage
Use reasonable temporary measures such as covering a broken window or placing a tarp over an exposed area when it is safe.
4. Document Before Cleanup
Take photographs and videos before moving, cleaning, repairing, or disposing of damaged property whenever possible.
5. Protect the Property
Secure doors, windows, and accessible areas to reduce the risk of theft, weather exposure, or additional damage.
6. Contact the Carrier
Report the loss to the insurance carrier promptly and write down the claim number and assigned representative’s information.
Different Losses Require Different Steps
Guidance by Type of Property Damage
Use the section that best matches what happened. Always prioritize safety and follow instructions from emergency personnel and your insurance carrier.
Fire or Smoke Damage
Do not reenter the property until emergency personnel say it is safe. Photograph fire, smoke, soot, water, and structural damage. Do not operate damaged appliances or electrical systems.
Water Damage
Stop the source when safe, move undamaged items away from water, and begin reasonable drying measures. Photograph standing water, damaged materials, and the suspected source.
Wind or Storm Damage
Stay away from downed power lines, unstable trees, broken glass, and damaged roofing. Photograph the exterior, interior water entry, fallen objects, and surrounding conditions.
Theft or Vandalism
Call the police before disturbing the area. Photograph forced entry, damaged doors or windows, vandalism, and affected rooms. Prepare a list of missing or damaged items.
Fallen Tree or Impact
Do not approach unstable trees, branches, walls, roofs, or power lines. Document the object that caused the damage, the point of impact, and all affected property.
Liability Incident
When someone is injured or another person’s property is damaged, do not admit fault or promise payment. Record the facts, collect contact information, and report the incident promptly.
Document the Loss
Pictures and Videos to Take
Take both wide and close-up photographs. A video walkthrough can also help show the full scope of the damage.
Photograph the property before cleanup or temporary repairs whenever possible. Do not delay emergency action when waiting could make the damage worse.
The Entire Property
Take wide photographs of the front, back, sides, roofline, rooms, and surrounding property.
Close-Up Damage
Photograph cracks, stains, broken materials, damaged contents, and visible points of entry.
Source of the Damage
Document the leaking pipe, broken appliance, damaged roof, fallen tree, or other suspected source.
Damaged Personal Property
Photograph furniture, electronics, clothing, appliances, tools, inventory, and other affected items.
Serial and Model Numbers
Photograph labels, serial numbers, model numbers, receipts, packaging, and warranty information when available.
Temporary Repairs
Take before-and-after photographs of tarps, boards, water extraction, cleanup, or other emergency measures.
Save These Records
Keep documents connected to the loss in one folder. Clear records can help the carrier understand the damage and expenses related to the claim.
Emergency-service reports
Police or fire report numbers
Temporary-repair receipts
Hotel or temporary housing receipts
Cleanup and mitigation invoices
Contractor estimates
Damaged-item receipts and photos
Claim emails and correspondence
Important Mistakes to Avoid
Do Not Enter an Unsafe Area
Do not enter a building with structural, electrical, fire, gas, contamination, or collapse hazards.
Do Not Dispose Too Quickly
Do not throw away damaged items before documenting them and receiving instructions from the carrier, unless health or safety requires disposal.
Do Not Make Permanent Repairs Too Soon
Complete reasonable emergency measures, but speak with the carrier before authorizing extensive permanent repairs.
Do Not Sign Under Pressure
Review contractor agreements, assignments, financing documents, and repair authorizations before signing.
Do Not Exaggerate the Loss
Provide accurate information, photographs, receipts, and descriptions. Do not guess about facts you do not know.
Do Not Delay Reporting
Report the loss promptly and follow the carrier’s instructions for inspections, documentation, and repairs.
Reporting the Loss
How to Report a Property Claim
The insurance carrier shown on your policy is responsible for opening, investigating, evaluating, and resolving the claim.
1. Locate Your Policy Information
Confirm the insurance company, policy number, property address, and named insured.
2. Contact the Claims Department
Use the telephone number or online claims option provided by the insurance carrier.
3. Explain What Happened
Provide the date, time, location, type of damage, suspected cause, emergency actions taken, and whether the property is currently habitable.
4. Record the Claim Information
Write down the claim number, representative’s name, telephone number, email address, and inspection instructions.
5. Continue Documenting the Claim
Save photographs, estimates, receipts, invoices, damaged-item lists, and all communication with the carrier and contractors.
Need help identifying your insurance company? Call Best Formula Insurance at (888) 242-9922. We can help you locate the appropriate carrier and claims contact information.
Need Property Claim Assistance?
Best Formula Insurance can help you identify your insurance carrier and understand the next administrative steps. The insurance carrier makes all coverage, payment, liability, repair, and settlement decisions.