Property Disaster Preparedness Before Water, Fire or Storm Damage

Create an emergency information file

• Insurer, broker and policy contact details.
• Property address, utility account information and emergency contacts.
• Locations of water, gas and electrical shutoffs.
• Building manager, landlord or tenant contacts where applicable.
• Current photos of major rooms, finishes and valuable contents.
• Names of people authorized to approve emergency access and work.

Know what should happen first

Life safety comes before property. Call emergency services for fire, gas, electrical, structural or medical danger. Do not enter standing water where electricity may be involved, and do not disturb suspected asbestos or other hazardous materials.

When it is safe, stop the source only if you can do so without exposure, then document the conditions and call the appropriate insurer, plumber, restoration contractor or utility.

Prepare the building

• Maintain roofs, eavestroughs, sump systems and drainage.
• Replace aging appliance hoses and know the main water shutoff.
• Keep furnace, electrical and plumbing areas accessible.
• Use leak detection or monitored alarms where practical.
• Store irreplaceable records above basement floor level.
• For cottages, document opening, closing and winterization steps.

After a loss: preserve information

Record discovery time, source, rooms affected, weather, shutoff time and every important call. Take wide and close photos before moving items when safe. Do not discard property that may be part of an insurance claim until it is documented and the decision is clear.