The first 48 hours
- Make your home safe — emergency tarps, shutoff of water/electric if needed.
- Document everything before cleanup: photos and short video walkthroughs.
- Save receipts for any temporary repairs.
- Notify your insurance carrier promptly. You don't have to commit to filing a claim during the first call.
Should you file the claim?
Not every reportable event should become a claim. If the loss is below your deductible, a claim only adds to your loss history without producing a payment. For wind/hail and water losses, a professional inspection before filing is almost always worth it.
Working with adjusters
- Be factual and brief. Stick to what happened and what's damaged.
- Provide photos with timestamps and a written list of damaged items.
- Ask for the adjuster's estimate in writing, with line-item detail.
- You can request a re-inspection if the estimate seems incomplete.
Working with Minnesota contractors
- Verify a current Minnesota contractor license.
- Get an itemized scope of work. Compare it line-by-line to the carrier's estimate.
- Avoid signing "assignment of benefits" forms without understanding them.
- Never pay the full job up front. A reasonable deposit + progress payments is standard.
Common reasons claims are underpaid
- ACV/schedule depreciation on older roofs
- Cosmetic exclusions on metal components
- Matching limitations on siding
- Insufficient documentation of damaged personal property