Where do we start? Below is information on steps you should take as you embark on the road to recovery.

SUMMARY

CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE AGENT(S) AND FILE A CLAIM

CONTACT FEMA ALSO

DAMAGE TO YOUR VEHICLE

DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME AND PROPERTY

• DOCUMENT THE DAMAGE

• MINIMIZE FURTHER DAMAGE

• CONTRACTORS: BEWARE AND PREPARE

• REMEDIATE WATER DAMAGE

• YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM

• WORKING WITH YOUR ADJUSTER

• ONCE THE WORK STARTS

Contact the City of Houston notifying them you’ve flooded. This helps all of us get national funding. Please report ALL home flooding to the City’s 311 hotline.

IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY, FILE YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM(S)

• Notify your insurance company as soon as possible if you have a claim.
  • If you have flood insurance, great.
  • If you only have homeowners insurance, you may still have damage you can claim.
  • Homeowners insurance sometimes can cover losses caused by wind, storms, or broken water pipes.
• If you have a flood policy with the National Flood Insurance Program, file a flood claim with your agent or insurer.
• Contact FEMA also. https://www.disasterassistance.gov

VEHICLE DAMAGE

• You’ll need to file a separate claim for your car, if it suffered damage.
• This will also give you the ability to get a rental.
• The demand will be huge, so start looking for one early.

DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME AND PROPERTY

ASSESS THE DAMAGE

• Take pictures and videos of all damaged property.
  • All rooms, floors, ceilings, windows, and all of your possessions that were affected, including furniture.
  • Be sure to take these pictures/videos before you make repairs.
  • If you take these photos/videos with your phone, back up to the cloud or email them to yourself.
• Take inventory of your home.
  • List as many damaged or lost items as possible that you can see or recall.
  • Record the serial and/or model numbers of electronics, large and small appliances, audio and video equipment tools, etc. Don’t forget small appliances like blenders, coffee machines,
  • Include any receipts you can find.
  • Include items such as art, jewelry, collectibles
  • If possible, don’t throw away damaged items until an insurance adjuster can review them.
  • Organizing them in piles, if possible, can help the adjuster distinguish items, like furniture from sheetrock.
• Take steps to minimize further damage.
  • Only make repairs necessary to protect your home and property from further damage,
  • Cover broken windows and holes to keep rain out and prevent theft.
  • Don’t make structural or permanent repairs until instructed by your insurance company.
  • Write down everything you spend on repairs.
  • Save all repair receipts.
• Keep receipts for lodging and meals, since some insurance policies will offer reimbursement.
• Contractors: Beware if contractors contact you directly. Be wary of signing right away with anyone who approaches you unsolicited. When it comes to contractors, referrals from friends and your local realtor, Angie’s List or BBB will be your friend.
  • Get all estimates in writing.
  • Preventing contractor fraud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upqmuWlT8o8&feature=youtu.be
• Fire and Water Damage Restoration: https://www.consumeraffairs.com/business/fire-and-water-restoration/

REMEDIATE WATER DAMAGE

• Precautions: Read these precautions from the CDC BEFORE YOU ENTER ANY MOLDY SITE:
  • People with breathing problems like asthma or who have weakened immune systems should stay away from moldy sites.
• Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.