How to Document Evidence After Wildfire Damage

Wildfire is a destructive and unpredictable force that can sweep through a community and leave it in ruin. It can also brush up against a neighborhood and cause residual damage from smoke and ashes. In extreme cases, residents are forced to evacuate without any guarantee they’ll be able to return to their homes and find them in the same condition as when they left.

If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of dealing with any level of wildfire damage to your home, it is essential that you document it properly in order to fortify your eventual insurance claim. Along with that document, you could also get support from an experienced Reno wildfire insurance lawyer.

We have helped many Nevada residents with their wildfire insurance claims. Our goal is to help our clients meet all their filing deadlines and ensure they deliver the kind of relevant documentation that will help them receive the maximum compensation they are allowed.

The following post details the best approach for documenting evidence after wildfire damage to support your insurance claim.

Prioritize Safety Before Beginning Documentation

Your first trip back to your property after you’ve been given the “all clear,” but the firefights might be just an initial drive-by. If the structure is still standing, you want to make sure it is stable. There could be lingering hot spots that could flare up.

There might also be toxic ash or smoke residue that could pose health risks, and compromised utilities, such as downed power lines, can pose serious risks as well.

Bottom line: Just because the fire is out doesn’t mean the danger is completely gone.

Before you get out of your car to inspect your property, you should consider the following protective gear:

• N95 or respirator masks
• Gloves
• Boots
• Long sleeves and long pants

Even though you are entering into the familiar environment of your home, you could be exposed to unfamiliar hazards that you need to fortify against.

Capture Visual Proof of Structural and Landscape Damage

When you file a wildfire insurance claim, you will be able to submit photo and video evidence of your damages. These should be high-resolution images you can capture with your smartphone.

Here’s what you need to focus on:

• Exterior damage, such as any scorched area of your roof, siding, foundation, or windows
• Interior damage to walls, ceilings, flooring, and appliances
• Detached structures such as garages, sheds, fences
• Surrounding landscape

You’ll want to take photos and videos from multiple angles and distances to create a complete visual record. The wide shots help establish the geographic context of your property, while close-ups focus on the specific damage. It is also important that your images include timestamps.

If you’re recording video, provide a commentary on what you see.

It is important to remember that even though your home is the main focus, the scorched land around your property should not be overlooked. In many Nevada wildfire insurance recovery cases, environmental damage around the home can significantly impact the property value, and that can directly affect your claim.

Create a Comprehensive Personal Property Inventory

The best time to create a detailed inventory of personal property is before a wildfire. You should consider this inventory list as “ongoing.” Once you’ve created the initial inventory list, you can continue to add to it as you acquire other items of value.

The list should provide details that go beyond just the mention of the item, such as “stove, refrigerator, flatscreen, etc.” Your goal is to be as specific as possible.

Each item on your inventory list should include the following:

• Categories such as household goods, appliances, electronics, and personal items
• Description of the item
• Serial number and model number (if applicable)
• Approximate age
• Original purchase price
• Estimated replacement cost
• Condition before the fire

In addition to the written list, it is also helpful to have photos and videos of every item. Again, it is important to create this list before the fire so that you can show any damage in the aftermath.

It is also crucial that you don’t throw out any damaged or scorched items until your assigned insurance adjuster has had a chance to look them over.

You could pull the items out of your home and leave them on the property if you want to start cleaning up, but having the physical items to show the adjuster will go a long way towards supporting your claim and help you resolve any potential bad faith claim.

Document Hidden Damage From Smoke and Soot

When you think of damage from a wildfire, you might conjure up images of charred and scorched structures and items. However, not all wildfire damage is immediately visible. Smoke and soot from a wildfire can seep into areas that appear untouched, causing long-term structural and health-related issues.

You also need to document the following before cleaning up:

• Soot residue in HVAC systems and vents
• Smoke odors embedded in walls, carpets, and insulation
• Ash accumulation in attics, crawlspaces, and under flooring
• Discoloration on surfaces

You can take photos and videos of any visible residue. In the videos, note any persistent odors or air quality concerns.

In extreme cases, it may be helpful to request a professional inspection to assess your home’s air quality. While some insurance companies are reluctant to reimburse for those types of inspections, they are an out-of-pocket cost that can provide crucial evidence of the extent of your damage.

Track All Evacuation and Living Expenses

If a wildfire evacuation order is given, you might be granted temporary shelter.

After that, you might need to stay in a hotel or a rental property until your home is certified as habitable. From the moment you are displaced, you should keep track of any Additional Living Expenses (ALE). These expenses should be spelled out in your insurance policy and cover the following:

• Hotel or temporary housing costs
• Meals and groceries
• Transportation and fuel expenses
• Pet boarding or relocation costs
• Essential replacement of items such as clothing or toiletries

You’ll want to save all the receipts and categorize them by date and category. This type of documentation can prevent disputes over what qualifies as an essential expense related to the wildfire.

Maintain a Detailed Insurance Communication Log

In addition to all your photos, videos, and receipts, it is also important to document all your communications with the insurance company. That includes every interaction, however quick or minor it might be. If you enter any information online, be sure to take a screenshot and save it before submitting.

This is what you need to track:

• Dates and times of calls or emails
• Names and titles of representatives
• Summaries of conversations
• Promises or statements made by the insurer

You also have to look out for and document any delays, inconsistencies, or denials from your insurance agency representative. If a dispute does come up, your communication evidence can establish and prove bad faith practices.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wildfire Documentation

It is not hyperbole to state that the documentation you gather after a wildfire will make or break your claim. The stronger the evidence, the more likely the insurance company will provide a prompt payout. As you prepare the claim, you’ll undoubtedly have many questions. The Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp is ready to provide you with the answers, beginning with these FAQs:

Should I clean my home before the insurance adjuster arrives?

No, you should avoid cleaning or disposing of damaged items until the adjuster has performed a full inspection. Documenting the ‘as-is’ state of the damage with photos and videos is essential to ensure you receive full compensation for smoke, soot, and fire effects.

What if my receipts were destroyed in the wildfire?

If your physical receipts were lost, you can often reconstruct your spending history through bank statements, credit card records, and online shopping accounts. Many retailers can also provide duplicate receipts for major appliances or electronics if you contact their customer service departments.

How do I prove smoke damage if it isn’t visible?

Proving hidden smoke damage often requires professional testing or ‘wipe samples’ that detect soot particles and chemical residues. You should document any persistent odors and request that your insurance company pay for an industrial hygienist to evaluate the air quality and interior surfaces.

When Documentation Becomes the Foundation of a Bad Faith Claim

The evidence you gather in the aftermath of a wildfire does more than support your initial insurance claim. That documentation can become the foundation of a potential bad faith case. You know you’re experiencing bad faith insurance practices when your carrier delays, underpays, or denies what you are rightfully owed.

That’s when you want to talk with the Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp.

We are dedicated Reno wildlife insurance attorneys who have helped many Nevada wildfire victims recover what they are due from their insurance companies. If you can provide thorough, time-stamped records of your losses, expenses, and communications, you can help us present that as irrefutable evidence of the damages you need to be compensated for.

After a wildfire, it is understandable that multiple claims will come in at once, but that is no excuse for being underpaid. We can help prevent that from happening. We hold insurers accountable when they fail to honor valid claims.

Before you start any insurance claim, it might be helpful to schedule a free case review with our office. We can answer your questions and discuss your options.

We want to help you get your life back on track as quickly as possible.