How to document property damage.
When so much has changed, a clear record can help you organize what comes next. Work at your own pace, and document only what you can safely see.
Keep the details together.
A useful record explains what you observed, where it was, and when you recorded it. You do not need to diagnose the cause of damage or decide what your policy covers.
Use this free checklist on its own, or bring it into a free project to return to it from your account. Check only steps you have completed; work only when conditions are safe.
Turn your checklist into a free project.
Keep your checklist in your account, then organize property records and next steps in your project workspace. You can still download and use this tool without an account.
When browser storage is available, your checked steps stay here while you sign in. Return on this same browser, then choose Save. No account copy is created automatically.
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Give every photo a place in the story
Start with a view that identifies the room or property area, then add a closer view of the condition you want to record. A close-up without context can be difficult to locate later. Use a short label such as “Kitchen, window wall, October 28” rather than making a conclusion about the cause.
Keep the original file and add your explanation separately. If the date you noticed a condition is different from the date you photographed it, record both. “Not yet checked” is more useful than a guess. Do not enter unsafe areas to complete the checklist.
Build a record you can return to
Group your photos, observations, item list, receipts and written questions around the same property project. Keep a separate copy of important original records. A project is an organizational workspace, not a claim submission or an inspection appointment.
Use the checklist on this page without creating an account. Download a copy for your own records, or choose the account-saving option to keep a checklist with your project. Saving to an account is a separate action; checking a box alone does not send your records to an insurer or professional.
Before the next conversation
Write down what you need answered: which areas should be inspected, what documents the recipient needs, where to submit them and when the next response is due. Keep the name of the person you spoke with and a brief note of what was agreed.
For belongings, use the home-inventory worksheet. For questions about the right professional, compare inspection types before requesting a service. You can start a project with the information you already have and add detail later.
Know what your record can—and cannot—do.
An organized record helps you explain what you observed. It is not a structural assessment, a diagnosis of damage, or a decision about insurance coverage or assistance eligibility. Ask the relevant qualified professional or provider to explain those questions.
Avoid putting personal records into a public comment, directory listing, or unfamiliar upload form. Use the recipient’s verified channel when sharing.
Keep your next steps manageable.
Local guidance
Check official instructions for your state, territory, and local area.
Professional help
Ask about scope, qualifications, timing, and written terms.
Official sources to keep close
- FEMA: documenting damage ↗
- USAGov: state emergency management agencies ↗
- USAGov: disaster financial assistance ↗
Sources checked October 19, 2026. This is general information. Always follow current local instructions.