What to Do in the First 72 Hours After Property Damage

A practical guide for homeowners and property managers to act fast and avoid claim delays.

When disaster strikes—whether it’s a fire, flood, windstorm, or burst pipe—your first instinct is often survival: protect what you can and get everyone to safety. But once the immediate danger passes, what you do in the hours that follow can significantly impact the success of your insurance claim.

At Carbon, we’ve seen firsthand how the right steps in the first 72 hours can be the difference between a full recovery and months of frustration. Here’s what we recommend:

1. Ensure Everyone’s Safety First

Before anything else, make sure all occupants are safe and out of harm’s way. If necessary, contact emergency services or building inspectors to assess structural hazards. Safety always comes first—property can be restored, people cannot be replaced.

2. Notify Your Insurance Carrier

Even if you plan to work with a public adjuster, notify your insurance company that damage has occurred. This starts the clock on certain timelines within your policy. Keep your communication brief and factual—avoid guessing or admitting fault.

3. Document Everything

Start capturing as much visual evidence as possible:

• Take wide and close-up photos and videos of the damage.

• Record timestamps and keep notes on the sequence of events.

• Don’t throw anything away yet—even damaged items may be required for inspection.

This documentation becomes foundational to your claim.

4. Prevent Further Damage

Most policies include a “duty to mitigate.” This means you’re responsible for preventing additional loss after the initial damage. Examples:

• Tarp over exposed roofing

• Shut off water or electricity to prevent secondary issues

• Board up broken windows

Save all receipts and log who performed the work.

5. Review Your Insurance Policy (or Let Us Help)

This is where many property owners feel overwhelmed. Your policy contains complex terms around coverage limits, exclusions, and timelines. A licensed public adjuster—like Carbon—can help interpret your policy and build a smart claim strategy from day one.

6. Don’t Rush to Settle

Insurance companies often send adjusters quickly—but remember, they represent the insurer’s interests, not yours. Avoid signing anything or accepting an early payout before a thorough review of your full damages has been conducted.

7. Contact a Public Adjuster Early

The sooner you bring in an advocate, the more strategic your claim can be. At Carbon, we manage the entire process—damage assessment, documentation, valuation, negotiation, and resolution—so you can focus on restoring what matters most.

Final Thoughts

The first 72 hours are critical—but you don’t have to navigate them alone. With Carbon on your side, you’ll have a trusted partner advocating for every dollar and every detail.