Interactive Toolkit — Malibu Public Adjusters
Claim Documentation Checklist What you document in the first hours and days after property damage determines what your insurance carrier pays. This interactive checklist walks you through every photo, document, and record you need — step by step, nothing missed.
Immediate Actions (First Hour) These steps protect your safety, your property, and your claim before the dust settles.
Check All Ensure everyone is safe — evacuate if necessary and call 911 first Call your insurance company's 24-hour claims line to report the loss Call your insurance agent and get your claim number Do NOT provide a recorded statement — say you will provide one after reviewing your policy Do NOT accept any settlement offer or sign any release on the spot Take a deep breath — you have rights, and nothing needs to be decided in the first 24 hours
Photo & Video Documentation Take more than you think you need. Carriers dispute what they cannot see.
Check All Photograph every damaged room from all four corners Photograph every damaged item individually — close-up and wide shot Photograph water lines on walls, floors, and baseboards (use a ruler or coin for scale) Photograph smoke/soot residue on walls, ceilings, and inside cabinets Photograph structural cracks, foundation displacement, and ceiling separation Photograph forced entry points, broken windows, and damaged door frames (theft) Video-walk through every room narrating what you see — open closets, cabinets, drawers Photograph serial numbers, model numbers, and brand labels on damaged electronics & appliances Photograph the exterior — roof damage, siding, chimney, landscaping Do NOT delete blurry photos — they may capture details a sharp one misses
Documents to Gather Paperwork proves what you owned, what it was worth, and what your policy covers.
Check All Locate your full insurance policy — declarations page, endorsements, and exclusions Obtain a copy of the police report (theft, vandalism, fire with suspicious origin) Gather receipts for major purchases — appliances, electronics, furniture, jewelry Pull credit card and bank statements showing purchases of damaged or stolen items Find warranty registrations, appraisals, and insurance schedules for valuables Download photos from your phone, cloud, and social media showing items in your home before the loss Collect contractor quotes and repair estimates you've received (even old ones) Save any emails, texts, or letters from your insurance company about this claim
Property Inventory The single biggest reason theft and fire claims are underpaid: incomplete inventories.
Check All Create a room-by-room list of every damaged or stolen item For each item, record: description, brand, model, purchase date, purchase price Note where each item was purchased (store name, website) Estimate the current replacement cost for each item — look it up online Group items by category: electronics, furniture, clothing, jewelry, tools, appliances Note items that were gifts — who gave them to you and approximately when Do NOT throw anything away — bag damaged items if needed but retain for inspection List items in storage areas: attic, basement, garage, shed, off-site storage unit
Additional Living Expenses Log ALE coverage pays for displacement costs. Every receipt is money your policy owes you.
Check All Save every hotel or temporary housing receipt Save all restaurant, takeout, and grocery receipts while displaced Save gas and mileage records for extra driving due to displacement Save laundry, dry cleaning, and storage unit receipts Save pet boarding or pet care receipts if your pets are displaced with you Save receipts for emergency supplies: tarps, plywood, locks, cleanup materials Track increased utility costs at your temporary residence Log every expense in a spreadsheet or notebook with date, amount, and purpose
Carrier Communication Records Document every interaction. Insurance companies record you — you should record them.
Check All Start a claim diary — date, time, who you spoke with, and what was discussed Save every voicemail from your adjuster — transcribe the key points Keep copies of every email sent and received regarding your claim Note every missed call, delayed response, or rescheduled inspection Do NOT post about the damage or your claim on social media If an adjuster visits, take your own photos of what they photograph Request all communications, estimates, and reports from the carrier in writing If you hire contractors for temporary repairs, get itemized invoices
Documentation is leverage. Let us help you use it. Bring your completed checklist to a free consultation and we'll review your documentation against your policy — identifying what's covered, what's missing, and what the carrier will likely dispute.