This step is crucial in ensuring all bases are covered as you move forward with your claim:

Thorough Policy Review:

• Examine Documents: Start by reviewing your insurance policy, including the deck sheet and all endorsements. Your professional claims representative will help discern the full scope of your coverages.
• Identify Coverages: Determine all available insurance coverages, extensions, and potential hidden coverages that might apply to your claim.
• Analyze Exclusions: Understand what exclusions apply to your structure, which can affect the extent of your claim.

Property Assessment and Documentation:

• Structure Appraisal: Conduct a detailed room-by-room appraisal, noting amounts of tear-out required and the ability to match materials.
• Document Costs: Establish and document square footage and linear footage unit costs specific to your structure.
• Photographic Evidence: Take thorough pictures room by room to solidify visual documentation of the structural damages.
• Big-Ticket Items: Gather supporting documents for high-value structural items to ensure they are included in your claim.

Depreciation and Estimation:

• Depreciation Assessment: Work with your public adjuster to determine line-by-line depreciation of the structure and document this thoroughly.
• Second Opinions: Obtain a second opinion on the structural estimate to validate the repair or replacement costs.
• Mechanical Documentation: Document all mechanical estimates to align with insurance requirements.

Contents Inventory and Valuation:

• Initiate Inventory Process: After an initial inventory list, start the detailed contents inventory process.
• Room-by-Room Content Listing: List all contents room by room, establishing both quality and quantity.
• Depreciation on Contents: Document depreciation of each item through collaborative work between your public adjuster and insurance agent.

Valuations and Projections:

• Cash Value & Depreciation: Establish the actual cash value and recoverable depreciation for each content item on a line-by-line basis.
• Landscaping Estimates: If applicable, obtain estimates for damaged landscaping.
• Utility Projections: Prepare projections for construction-related utilities during the repair period.

Agreements and Documented Costs:

• Packout Costs: Establish an agreed cost for the packout process, which you might decide to retain.
• Refinishing and Storage: Agree on costs for hard good refinishing, re-upholstery, storage, moving, and resetting contents back in place.

Receipt and Deadline Management:

• Document New Purchases: Keep all receipts and supporting documentation for new items purchased during recovery.
• Check Deadlines: Scrutinize all policy deadlines to ensure compliance and prevent any lapses in your claim.

Strategic Financial Decisions:

• Evaluate Options: Consider your options to cash out, repair, or replace off-site. Assess whether you will undertake repairs yourself or through hired professionals.

With a clear Plan of Action in place, you’re poised for the next stages of your property damage claim. Accurate documentation and strategic planning are paramount here. Stay tuned for Part 3, where we will continue to guide you through each subsequent step on your path to recovery.