06/03/2026
What happens in the first 24 hours after a loss often matters as much as the policy itself. The right moves protect the claim. The wrong ones quietly shrink it.
Call your carrier or agent first, before you touch anything. Photograph and film the damage before you move or clean a single item. Prevent further damage where it's safe, since most policies require it, but hold off on permanent repairs until the adjuster signs off. Save every receipt for emergency costs. Write down a timeline while the details are still sharp.
Cleaning up too soon, tossing damaged property before it's documented, and starting repairs before approval. Any one of those can sink part of the claim. The policy may cover the loss. What gets paid depends on what happens in the first day.