The best claim documentation happens before the storm. Spend an afternoon building this kit and you'll never wish you had it — you'll just have it.
The folder
Create a single cloud folder (Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, doesn't matter) named with your address. Inside, four subfolders: Roof, Exterior, Interior, Documents.
Roof
- Ground-level photos of every slope from every angle.
- Drone footage if you have access — top-down of every plane.
- Close-ups of gutters, flashing, vents, and any prior repairs.
Exterior
- Each elevation of the house, garage, and outbuildings.
- Fence, deck, AC units, pool equipment.
- Vehicles parked at home, with VIN photos.
Interior
- Walk every room with video, narrating what's on the walls and ceilings.
- Open closets, cabinets, and storage areas.
- Photograph any pre-existing water stains or cracks so they don't get blamed on the storm later.
Documents
- PDF of your full policy and declarations page.
- Receipts and invoices from any prior roof work.
- Contact info for your agent, carrier claims line, and your roofer.
Update it once a year
Set a calendar reminder for March 1st, before peak hail season. Ten minutes, every year. That's the whole system.