What Homeowners Should Do in the First 24 Hours After Property Damage

A Complete Legal, Insurance, and Safety Guide for Fire, Water, Storm, Smoke & Catastrophic Losses

By Jasmine Daya, Geraci LLP – Property Damage Law Division

INTRODUCTION

Property damage is one of the most stressful experiences a homeowner can endure. Whether it’s a burst pipe flooding your home at 3 a.m., a kitchen fire filling your house with smoke, storm winds tearing shingles off the roof, or a catastrophic event like wildfire or hurricane, the first 24 hours will determine three things:

1. Your physical safety

2. The extent of damage to your property

3. Whether your insurance claim is approved, delayed, or denied

Most homeowners don’t realize how crucial these first decisions are—and insurers often rely on that lack of knowledge. At Geraci LLP, we see the same avoidable mistakes time and time again: homeowners discarding damaged items, failing to document the loss, giving premature recorded statements, or trusting the insurer’s initial instructions without verification.

This guide is designed to arm you with the exact steps you need to take immediately after property damage, from the legal, safety, and insurance perspectives. It’s the roadmap we wish every homeowner had.

1. ENSURE SAFETY FIRST — BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE

When disaster strikes, adrenaline takes over. Many homeowners instinctively rush to rescue valuables or start cleaning up. But the first step is always the same:

Protect human life.

Depending on the cause of the damage, hazards may include:

• Electrical shock

• Live wires

• Structural collapse

• Toxic smoke or fumes

• Gas leaks

• Rising water

• Mold spores

• Broken glass or sharp debris

Safety checklist:

• Evacuate immediately if fire, smoke, or electrical hazards are present.

• Shut off utilities only if safe:

  • Water (main shutoff valve)

  • Gas (outside meter)

  • Electricity (breaker panel)

• Do not re-enter a structurally compromised building.

• Contact emergency services if any hazard is active or unclear.

Your insurer cannot penalize you for leaving a dangerous situation. Your safety is protected under every policy.

2. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING BEFORE CLEANUP BEGINS

This is the step that will make or break your claim.

Insurance companies are counting on you to clean up quickly without documenting the initial state. Once you throw things away, mop water, or remove debris, you may unintentionally erase proof of:

• The severity of the damage

• The cause of the damage

• Costs of cleanup

• Items that were destroyed

• Secondary damage (mold, structural weakening, contamination, etc.)

Your rule: NOTHING gets thrown away yet.

How to document properly:

1. Take wide-angle photos of every affected room.

2. Take close-ups of all visible damage.

3. Record video walkthroughs narrating what happened.

4. Photograph damaged items individually—appliances, furniture, clothing, electronics.

5. Keep all debris in a designated area until the insurer approves disposal.

6. Save receipts for temporary repairs, mitigation, housing, food, supplies.

Document even what seems small.

A minor stain or warped baseboard can later reveal hidden mold, moisture damage, or structural issues.

If it isn’t documented, your insurer can claim it didn't happen.

3. TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE (YOUR "DUTY TO MITIGATE")

Insurance companies require homeowners to perform temporary actions that prevent more deterioration.

This is known as the duty to mitigate.

Failing to do so can result in:

• Reduced payouts

• Denials

• Claims that you caused additional damage

Examples of reasonable mitigation:

• Tarping or covering a damaged roof

• Turning off the water supply after a burst pipe

• Boarding up broken windows

• Placing fans or dehumidifiers temporarily

• Moving belongings away from standing water

• Cleaning contaminated water (sewage backup) with protective gear

But here's the key:

Do not perform permanent repairs until your insurer or lawyer approves.Anything that destroys evidence can harm your claim.

4. NOTIFY YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY — BUT WITH CAUTION

You must notify your insurer promptly, but you should do so strategically.

When you call the insurer:

• Provide basic facts (e.g., “A burst pipe caused water damage in the living room”).

• Request your claim number and the adjuster’s contact information.

• Do not speculate about the cause or extent of the damage.

• Do not provide a recorded statement yet.

• Do not answer “estimate” questions (“How much do you think repairs will cost?”).

Insurance adjusters are trained to gather information that limits your claim—not to help you maximize it.

Request everything in writing:

• Adjuster appointments

• Required documentation

• Requests for statements or forms

• Repair instructions

• Coverage positions

This protects you if the insurer later contradicts itself.

5. UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF INSURANCE ADJUSTERS

Not all adjusters represent you.In fact, none of the insurer’s adjusters do.

1. Insurance Company Adjusters

Employed directly by the insurer. Their loyalty is to the company, not you.

2. Independent Adjusters

Contracted by the insurer but still aligned with them.

3. Public Adjusters

Represent you, not the insurer.They help evaluate damage and negotiate claims.

4. Property Damage Attorneys (like Geraci LLP)

We ensure legal compliance, protect your rights, challenge underpayments, and escalate claims.

Who should you trust?

The people you hire, not those hired by the insurer.

6. KEEP ALL PROPERTY,  EVEN DAMAGED ITEMS, UNTIL YOUR CLAIM IS COMPLETE

This is one of the biggest areas where homeowners unintentionally ruin their claims.

Your instinct is to throw away burnt clothing, ruined furniture, soaked drywall, or destroyed electronics.

But everything damaged in a claim becomes evidence.

If you dispose of items prematurely, your insurer may claim:

• They were never damaged

• They were damaged previously

• They weren’t as valuable as you stated

• They cannot be reimbursed because they weren’t inspected

Your rule:

Keep all damaged items until:✔ They are photographed✔ They are inventoried✔ An expert has inspected them✔ Your lawyer says disposal is allowed

This protects your right to full reimbursement.

7. SECURE TEMPORARY HOUSING IF YOUR HOME IS UNINHABITABLE

Most homeowners do not realize they may qualify for ALE—Additional Living Expenses.

This includes:

• Hotel stays

• Temporary rentals

• Increased meal expenses

• Laundry costs

• Transportation

• Pet boarding

• Storage fees

Many policies cover these expenses for months, even years, depending on the policy.

Your insurer must:

• Provide equivalent living conditions

• Reimburse reasonable costs

• Not force you to live in unsafe conditions

Do not accept substandard housing simply because it’s cheaper for the insurer.

8. REQUEST A COMPLETE COPY OF YOUR INSURANCE POLICY

To understand coverage, exclusions, limitations, and deductibles, you need the entire policy—not just the declarations page.

Request the following:

• Full policy

• All endorsements and amendments

• Exclusions

• Coverage limits

• Personal property provisions

• ALE coverage terms

• Replacement cost (RCV) vs actual cash value (ACV)

This step is crucial. Most homeowners do not know what they are entitled to—and insurers take advantage of that.

9. WATCH FOR EARLY RED FLAGS OF AN INSURANCE PROBLEM

The first 24 hours often reveal whether your insurer plans to treat you fairly.

Common red flags:

• Long delays in assigning an adjuster

• Pressure to use “their contractor”

• Telling you cleanup is unnecessary

• Asking for premature recorded statements

• Discouraging you from getting your own estimates

• Minimizing damage without proper inspection

• Sending inexperienced personnel

• Misrepresenting policy terms

If you spot any of these, it’s time to contact a lawyer.

10. CONTACT A PROPERTY DAMAGE ATTORNEY EARLY (EVEN BEFORE A DENIAL)

Many homeowners believe they can only call a lawyer after a claim is denied.

That is absolutely false.

An attorney provides tremendous value before problems arise:

• Advising on documentation

• Reviewing policy language

• Preventing common mistakes

• Interacting with the insurer on your behalf

• Protecting your rights

• Ensuring fair valuation of damages

• Challenging lowball offers

• Preparing appeals before denial becomes final

Insurers have professionals working for them from Day 1.You should too.

11. WHY THE FIRST 24 HOURS DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF YOUR CLAIM

Insurance companies know that homeowners are overwhelmed and emotional right after a loss.

This is when:

• Evidence is lost

• Mistakes are made

• Statements are misinterpreted

• Damaged property is thrown away

• Deadlines are missed

• Adjusters shape the narrative

A well-informed homeowner is a powerful homeowner.

12. WHEN TO CALL GERACI LLP

You should contact us immediately if:

• Damage is severe

• The cause is unclear

• Your insurer is slow to respond

• You feel pressured or confused

• You’ve been asked for a recorded statement

• Cleanup companies are pushing contracts

• You suspect underpayment

• You received a partial denial or low offer

Our team handles everything from:

• Fire & smoke damage

• Water & flood damage

• Storm & hail damage

• Mold

• Structural and foundation issues

• Commercial and residential losses

• Total rebuilds and code upgrades

We fight for homeowners, not insurers.

CONCLUSION

The first 24 hours after property damage will shape your entire insurance journey. Your number one priority is safety—but immediately after, your priority becomes protecting your rights and preserving evidence.

By following this guide, homeowners dramatically increase their chances of a smooth, successful claim—and avoid falling into the traps insurers often set.

And if you need help, Geraci LLP is here to stand by your side.