Your policy doesn't just set out what your insurer will cover — it sets out what you have to do. These are your post-loss duties. They begin once you discover a claimable loss, and doing them well (and on time) is often what keeps a good claim on track.
1
Give prompt notice
Tell your insurer about the loss as soon as reasonably possible after it happens.
Why it mattersTimely notice is a standard policy condition. Reporting late can become grounds to dispute a claim, and it pushes back the inspection while the damage is still fresh.
What to do
- Report by phone, app, or online and get a claim number in writing.
- Note the date and time you reported it and who you spoke with.
- Report even if you're not sure it will exceed your deductible.
Watch out"Prompt" isn't a fixed number of days — it depends on your policy and the circumstances. Sooner is always safer.
Notice
2
Prevent further damage
Take reasonable steps to protect the property from getting worse — this is your duty to mitigate.
Why it mattersDamage that happens because you didn't take reasonable protective steps may not be covered. Reasonable temporary-repair costs, on the other hand, are usually reimbursable.
What to do
- Tarp the roof, board a broken window, shut off water, dry things out.
- Keep receipts for materials and any emergency service.
- Photograph the damage before and after the temporary fix.
Watch outMitigation means temporary protection — don't make permanent repairs before the adjuster has inspected, unless safety requires it.
Mitigation
3
Document the damage
Create a clear visual and written record of what was damaged before anything is cleaned, repaired, or thrown away.
Why it mattersOnce you clean up, the evidence is gone. Photos and video taken early are the strongest proof of the loss's true scope.
What to do
- Take wide shots (whole room/elevation) and close-ups (each damaged item).
- Capture video walking through the property with narration.
- Note the date each photo was taken.
Watch outYou don't need studio-quality photos — but obvious damage (a tree through the lanai, missing screens, water lines on walls) should be captured from several angles.
Documentation
4
Keep the damaged property
Hold onto damaged items and building materials until the insurer has inspected them or you've documented them thoroughly.
Why it mattersYour policy generally gives the insurer the right to inspect what was damaged. Throwing it out too early can undercut that part of the claim.
What to do
- Set damaged items aside rather than discarding them.
- If health or safety forces disposal, photograph it first and keep a sample or cutout if you safely can.
- Keep swatches of flooring, shingles, or fabric for matching.
Watch outAsk the adjuster before disposing of anything significant, and note who told you it was okay.
Preservation
5
Make an inventory
Prepare a list of the personal property that was damaged, destroyed, or lost.
Why it mattersA contents claim is built on the list behind it. An itemized inventory is straightforward to substantiate; a vague one is hard to support and easy to undervalue.
What to do
- List each item with a description, quantity, age, and rough value.
- Add photos, receipts, or model numbers where you have them.
- Don't guess wildly — but don't leave things off because you're unsure of the price.
Watch outUnderstand the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value — your policy decides which applies, and it changes the number.
Inventory
6
File your Proof of Loss
A sworn proof of loss is a signed — often notarized — statement of what you're claiming and what it's worth. It's one of the most important deadlines in the whole claim, and it's easy to miss because two different things can trigger it.
Trigger 1 — a deadline in your policy. Some policies require a proof of loss within a set time after the date of loss, on their own, with no request needed.
Trigger 2 — a written request from your insurer. Once they ask, a separate deadline (commonly 60 days) starts running from the request.
Why it mattersIt's frequently a formal condition of coverage, and missing either deadline can be used to delay or deny — so track both, not just the one you were reminded about.
What to do
- Check your policy now for any proof-of-loss deadline that runs from the loss itself.
- If your insurer requests one, calendar the deadline immediately and use their form.
- Attach your inventory, estimates, and support; sign it accurately — it's sworn.
Watch outIf you can't finish in time, ask in writing for an extension before the deadline rather than letting it lapse.
Proof of loss
7
Cooperate with the investigation
Your policy requires reasonable cooperation — which can include giving the insurer access to inspect the property, providing a recorded statement, producing records, and sometimes an examination under oath (EUO).
Why it mattersCooperation is a policy condition, and not cooperating — including refusing reasonable access to the property — can itself be a basis for denial. Cooperating fully is still compatible with taking the time to be accurate and asking questions when something is unclear.
What to do
- Allow the insurer reasonable access to inspect the damaged property, as often as they reasonably require.
- Answer honestly and stick to what you actually know.
- Produce the documents reasonably requested; keep copies of everything you hand over.
- For a recorded statement or EUO, it's fine to prepare and to have help.
Watch outAn EUO is a formal, sworn proceeding. If one is requested — or the claim becomes complex or disputed — consider talking to a licensed attorney or public adjuster.
Cooperation & property access
8
Track every expense
Keep records of the money the loss costs you — repairs, and additional living expenses (ALE) if you're displaced.
Why it mattersMany policies reimburse extra costs of living elsewhere while your home is uninhabitable — but only what you can document.
What to do
- Keep receipts for hotel, meals, mileage, and temporary rentals.
- Keep every repair invoice and estimate.
- Log dates and amounts as you go — reconstructing later is painful.
Watch outALE usually covers the difference from your normal costs, and is capped by your policy — check your limit.
Expenses / ALE
A word on deadlines
Two clocks tend to matter most after a loss: the deadline to report the claim, and the deadline to file suit if a dispute can't be resolved. There's also the proof of loss window once your insurer requests one.
Florida changed several of these timelines in recent legislative sessions, and the deadline that applies to your claim can depend on your policy and your date of loss.
Because these rules have shifted and vary by policy, we don't list specific day-counts here as if they were universal. Check your policy's conditions and declarations, and confirm the current law — this is exactly the kind of thing worth a quick call to a licensed professional.