Already dealing with a claim?
This guide applies at any stage — use it now to organize what you have. For post-loss-specific steps, see After the Storm.
Prepare your claim before disaster strikes
Adjusters need proof. A complete pre-loss record speeds settlement, reduces disputes, and gets you what your policy promises.
Free claims preparation checklist
Branded printable PDF — room-by-room prep, high-value focus list, and what to do in the first 72 hours after a loss.
Or download directly without email.
Don't have your inventory ready?
This checklist tells you what to do — Cadastre Home helps you build it. Shoot 360° panoramas room-by-room; AI suggests an inventory you confirm.
Join the waitlistEssential checklist
Room prep lives on the Capture Guide. Gear picks: recommended cameras & gimbals.
- 1. Document every room including closets, garage, and attic.
- 2. Capture serial numbers on appliances, electronics, and HVAC equipment.
- 3. Scan or photograph receipts for items over $100.
- 4. Shoot 360° panoramas annually — AI builds your inventory.
- 5. Tag portable items, record critical document locations, generate an evacuation prep PDF (Basic+), download a full vault backup, and store off-site.
- 6. Share read-only voluntary disclosure links with your insurance agent or attorney pre-loss — full inventory and coverage analysis when you choose.
- 7. If your claim is disputed or underpaid — connect with a local disaster attorney.
Claim lifecycle — what happens next
Before you file
Complete a notice of loss with your carrier when required. Have your policy number, date of loss, and a pre-built inventory ready — scrambling for photos after the fact slows everything down.
What adjusters ask first
Proof of ownership and condition before the loss: room lists, serial numbers, receipts, and where items lived. A structured export beats a phone album when contents are disputed.
ACV vs documented RCV
Many policies settle personal property at actual cash value unless you can support replacement cost. Itemized documentation with retailer links and verification scores strengthens an RCV conversation.
When to involve an attorney
If coverage is denied, underpaid, or delayed past reasonable timelines, a local disaster attorney can review your file. Our directory helps you find vetted counsel where available.
Room-by-room camera prep: Kitchen · Living room · Family room · Exterior · full Capture Guide
Gulf Coast claim prep guides
Peril-specific checklists for Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas — export formats and adjuster handoff.
Alabama
- Alabama hurricane claims prep — Pre-season documentation checklist for Alabama Gulf Coast homeowners before June 1.
- Alabama tropical storm claims prep — Document wind and inland flooding for Alabama tropical storm watches along Mobile Bay and the coast.
- Alabama tropical depression claims prep — Document rainfall and inland flood risk for Alabama tropical depression events.
- Alabama flood claims prep — Baseline contents and utility documentation for Alabama surge, river, and flash-flood risk.
- Alabama tornado claims prep — Sudden-loss documentation checklist for Alabama Dixie Alley and Gulf Coast tornado seasons.
Florida
- Florida hurricane claims prep — Pre-season documentation for Florida homeowners before June 1.
- Florida tropical storm claims prep — Wind and inland flooding documentation for Florida tropical storms.
- Florida tropical depression claims prep — Heavy-rain and flood documentation for Florida tropical depressions.
- Florida flood claims prep — Baseline contents documentation for Florida flood and surge risk.
- Florida tornado claims prep — Sudden-loss documentation for Florida tornado seasons.
Louisiana
- Louisiana hurricane claims prep — Pre-season documentation for Louisiana Gulf Coast homeowners.
- Louisiana tropical storm claims prep — Wind and flood documentation for Louisiana tropical storms.
- Louisiana tropical depression claims prep — Rainfall and inland flood documentation for Louisiana tropical depressions.
- Louisiana flood claims prep — Baseline contents documentation for Louisiana flood risk.
- Louisiana tornado claims prep — Sudden-loss documentation for Louisiana tornado seasons.
Mississippi
- Mississippi hurricane claims prep — Pre-season documentation for Mississippi Gulf Coast homeowners.
- Mississippi tropical storm claims prep — Wind and flood documentation for Mississippi tropical storms.
- Mississippi tropical depression claims prep — Rainfall documentation for Mississippi tropical depressions.
- Mississippi flood claims prep — Baseline contents documentation for Mississippi flood risk.
- Mississippi tornado claims prep — Sudden-loss documentation for Mississippi tornado seasons.
Texas
- Texas hurricane claims prep — Pre-season documentation for Texas Gulf Coast homeowners.
- Texas tropical storm claims prep — Wind and flood documentation for Texas tropical storms.
- Texas tropical depression claims prep — Rainfall documentation for Texas tropical depressions.
- Texas flood claims prep — Baseline contents documentation for Texas flood risk.
- Texas tornado claims prep — Sudden-loss documentation for Texas tornado risk from Gulf Coast counties to inland plains.
Nationwide peril checklists
Documentation steps for every disaster type we cover — use these when a regional Gulf guide does not apply.
- Hurricane claims prep — Nationwide documentation checklist for hurricane claims — room-by-room proof before loss.
- Tropical storm claims prep — Nationwide documentation checklist for tropical storm claims — room-by-room proof before loss.
- Tropical depression claims prep — Nationwide documentation checklist for tropical depression claims — room-by-room proof before loss.
- Flood claims prep — Nationwide documentation checklist for flood claims — room-by-room proof before loss.
- Wildfire claims prep — Nationwide documentation checklist for wildfire claims — room-by-room proof before loss.
- Tornado claims prep — Nationwide documentation checklist for tornado claims — room-by-room proof before loss.
- Hail claims prep — Nationwide documentation checklist for hail claims — room-by-room proof before loss.
- Freeze & ice claims prep — Nationwide documentation checklist for freeze & ice claims — room-by-room proof before loss.
- Earthquake claims prep — Nationwide documentation checklist for earthquake claims — room-by-room proof before loss.
- Severe thunderstorm claims prep — Nationwide documentation checklist for severe thunderstorm claims — room-by-room proof before loss.
- Tsunami claims prep — Nationwide documentation checklist for tsunami claims — room-by-room proof before loss.
- Volcano claims prep — Nationwide documentation checklist for volcano claims — room-by-room proof before loss.
- Winter storm claims prep — Nationwide documentation checklist for winter storm claims — room-by-room proof before loss.
Export formats adjusters expect
- Basic PDF — Free Starter tier
- PDF + CSV — Basic tier
- Forensic PDF + Excel + adjuster contents CSV — Pro & Concierge
- Schedule of Loss with retailer links — Pro & Concierge
Adjuster exports are structured spreadsheets for handoff. Your adjuster may import or re-key line items into their estimating workflow — steps vary by carrier and software.
Before you file — and after you're denied
Cadastre Home connects you with vetted local professionals — an agent to protect you before disaster, and an attorney to fight for you after.
Pre-loss
Find a local insurance agent
Review your coverage before disaster season — with an agent who knows what you own.
Find an agentFree to browse · No account required
Post-loss
Find a local insurance attorney
If your claim is disputed or underpaid, connect with an attorney who specializes in your disaster type.
Find an attorneyFree to browse · No account required
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See what adjusters get
Cadastre Home exports structured documentation — not a folder of random photos. Every forensic report includes a verification hash you can validate on our public verify page.
Without documentation
- ✗ Memory-based item lists after a loss
- ✗ No timestamps or proof of pre-loss condition
- ✗ Adjusters re-key everything from photos
- ✗ Disputes over missing serial numbers and receipts
With Cadastre Home export
- ✓ Room-by-room inventory with capture dates
- ✓ Tamper-verified SHA-256 report hashes
- ✓ Forensic PDF , Excel, and adjuster CSV exports
- ✓ Schedule of Loss with replacement cost links
- ✓ Pre-loss floor plan in agent share and forensic PDF appendix
- ✓ Full vault backup ZIP for off-site storage (all plans)
Reports include a public verification URL. Learn how tamper verification works →
Continue exploring
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Free Starter includes 25 items and basic PDF export — no credit card required.
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