Should I make temporary repairs before the adjuster visits?

Most property insurance policies include a duty to protect the property from further damage after a covered loss. That means you are generally expected to take reasonable steps to prevent additional harm, even before the adjuster arrives. Common examples include covering a damaged roof with a tarp, boarding up broken windows, or extracting standing water to prevent mold. If you do nothing and secondary damage results, the carrier could argue that the additional harm was avoidable and decline to cover it.

Before you begin any temporary work, photograph and video the original damage from multiple angles. This documentation is the foundation of your claim, and it should capture conditions before any materials are moved or covered. Once you have your documentation, proceed with the minimum necessary work to stabilize the property.

Keep every receipt related to temporary repairs, including materials, labor, and any emergency contractors you hire. Most policies reimburse the reasonable cost of protective measures, and your adjuster will want to see an itemized record. If you hire a contractor for emergency services, get a written invoice that separates labor from materials.

What you should not do is begin permanent repairs or restorations before the adjuster has inspected the damage. Replacing damaged structural components, installing new flooring, or repainting walls before the adjuster can evaluate the original condition may make it harder to document the full scope of loss. If permanent repairs are truly urgent for health or safety reasons, photograph the area exhaustively and notify your carrier before proceeding.

When in doubt about what qualifies as a reasonable temporary repair, call your carrier’s claims line and ask for guidance. Getting verbal or written confirmation can protect you if there is a later dispute about the scope of covered emergency work.