I never thought a storm would smash through my street like that, but it did—and it left a big mess behind. When your home gets wrecked from something wild like a hurricane or flood, you gotta act fast. That’s what I did. And while it wasn’t fun at all, knowing what steps to take made everything less of a nightmare.
So anyway, here’s how I got through the home insurance claim process after the disaster rolled through. Maybe this helps you if you’re ever unlucky enough to deal with it too.
The Aftermath: Step One’s Obvious (But People Skip It)
First thing, obviously, make sure everyone’s okay. Don’t go into a damaged house right away if it looks shady. Roofs can collapse. Electric wires, gas leaks… a lot of stuff you don’t want to play with.
Once it felt safe enough, I took a walk around the place—careful, slow—and started snapping pictures. Not everything was visible at first. Some damage shows later. Don’t trust your eyes only. Use your phone or camera like your life depends on it. Kinda does.
Reaching Out to My Insurer — Fast and With Details
I called my insurance right away. Literally next morning. They had a hotline that worked 24/7, so why wait? When I got through, I told them everything that happened—well, at least everything I knew at the time.
Make sure you have your policy number ready. I didn’t, and it wasted like 15 mins on the phone. It’s best to keep a digital copy saved somewhere like Google Drive. Or even in your email.
Document Everything (More Than You Think You Need To)
Here’s the part people really screw up on: documentation. Take photos, yeah, but do videos too. Walk through each room slowly. Show water damage, broken glass, ceiling cracks, soaked furniture. Narrate the video if you can. I did that part and the adjuster said it helped him “visualize” the situation better.
Every item I lost, I wrote it down. If you remember the price or have receipts, put that in there too. A lotta people don’t realize you can even use old emails or bank statements to prove what you bought.
Temporary Repairs: Do ‘Em, But Keep Receipts
I covered the broken window with a board and laid tarp over the roof. That’s what the insurer told me to do, so no further damage would occur. It’s part of your duty as the homeowner to prevent things from getting worse after the fact.
Pro-tip: every roll of duct tape, nail, tarp, whatever—keep the receipts. I had to submit ‘em later and got reimbursed. Don’t throw nothing away too fast either.
The Adjuster Visit: What I Told ‘Em
When the adjuster came by, I gave them a full tour. Showed all the damage, pointed out stuff from the video, gave them my spreadsheet of what I lost. That part was kind of awkward; like walking through your broken life with a stranger. But hey—they’re just doing their job.
I made sure to ask questions: “Is this covered?”, “What about the garage?”—things like that. They won’t always volunteer info, so you gotta be a bit pushy, in a polite way.
Insurance Jargon Is Annoying—Here’s What Mine Covered
Every policy is different, but mine covered wind and storm damage. But not flooding. Floods need separate insurance, which I didn’t have. Learned that the hard way. My neighbor did though. Lucky.
There’s something called a deductible too. Mine was $1,500. So I paid that part out-of-pocket before insurance kicked in. I also had something called ALE, or “additional living expenses,” that helped with hotel bills while my place got fixed up.
What I Tracked (You Should Too)
I kept a notebook. Just a plain spiral one. In it I wrote down every call, name, and promise. Who I spoke to. What they said. When they’d call back. That kind of thing.
Also, I made a separate folder for receipts and emails. The hotel stay, takeout food (since we had no kitchen), mileage for extra travel… all that can count toward ALE coverage.
Getting Estimates: Don’t Settle for One
I didn’t just take the first contractor’s word for it. I got three quotes. Sent them all to the insurer. They picked one of the mid-range estimates to base my payment on. Fair enough.
Make sure whoever you hire is licensed. Storm scams are real. Some guy in a van showed up offering “fast roof work, cash only.” Nope.
The Payout: Finally
After about 3 weeks, the check came in the mail. I had to endorse it and so did my mortgage company. Annoying but part of the process.
I split the money: part went to repairs, part went to replacing furniture. Not everything got covered, but enough did that I could move back in by the second month.
If They Lowball You — Fight Back
At first, they tried to deny coverage for some interior mold. I didn’t let it slide. Called them back, showed them time-stamped photos. I even filed a complaint with my state’s insurance department. It worked. They reopened that part of the claim.
Lesson: don’t just accept what they give if it feels off. Challenge it. Politely, but firmly.
What I’d Tell Anyone Going Through This
This isn’t just about money—it’s about peace of mind. Know your policy before anything happens. Get a home inventory together now, before it’s too late. Back up photos and receipts in the cloud.
When disaster hits, act quick. Take pics, call your insurer, board things up, document. Then keep at it. The process is long but if you’re organized and a bit stubborn, it’ll work out.
You never want to go through this, believe me. But if you do, I hope this mess I went through helps you get through yours smoother. Be safe out there.
Contact Info:
Website: InsureDirect.com
Office Address: 618 South Broad Street, Lansdale, PA 19446
Email: contact@insuredirect.com
Phone: (800) 807‑0762 ext. 602