STL Public Adjusting

What to Do After Property Damage in St. Louis: Your First 48 Hours

March 15, 2026

Whether it's a burst pipe in your Dogtown basement, a kitchen fire in Belleville, or a tornado tearing through St. Charles—property damage hits hard and fast. What you do in the first 48 hours can make or break your insurance claim. Here's your step-by-step playbook.

Step 1: Make It Safe (Minutes 1–60)

Your safety comes first. Before anything else:

  • Call 911 if there's any fire, gas leak, structural collapse, or ongoing danger
  • Shut off utilities—water main, gas valve, electrical breaker. If you're not sure how, call the utility company
  • Evacuate if the structure is unsafe. Don't re-enter until cleared by the fire department or a structural engineer
  • Arrange temporary housing if needed. Most Missouri and Illinois homeowners policies cover "Additional Living Expenses" (ALE) when your home is uninhabitable

Step 2: Document Everything (Hours 1–24)

This is the single most important thing you can do—and the most common mistake people make.

  • Photo and video everything. Wide shots, close-ups, every angle. Shoot before you touch, move, or clean anything
  • Open every door. Photograph inside closets, cabinets, attics, and crawl spaces—hidden damage is real
  • Record serial numbers for damaged electronics, appliances, and equipment
  • Save damaged items. Don't throw anything away until the adjuster has seen it (or you've documented it thoroughly)
  • Write a timeline of what happened, when you discovered it, and what you did next

Pro tip for St. Louis weather events: If the damage is from a storm, screenshot weather reports from that date. The National Weather Service archive at weather.gov is your friend. Timestamped weather evidence strengthens your claim.

Step 3: Mitigate Further Damage (Hours 1–48)

Your policy requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage. You're not expected to do permanent repairs—just temporary fixes:

  • Tarp a damaged roof to stop water intrusion
  • Shut off water and place buckets under active leaks
  • Board up broken windows or doors
  • Move undamaged property away from the affected area
  • Start drying out water-damaged areas with fans or a dehumidifier

Keep every receipt. Tarp, plywood, fan rentals, emergency plumber calls—these are covered expenses. Don't throw away a single receipt.

Step 4: File Your Insurance Claim (Within 24–72 Hours)

  • Call your insurance company's claims hotline. Most carriers have 24/7 lines. Get a claim number
  • Be factual, not speculative. Describe what happened and what you see. Don't guess at causes or downplay damage
  • Ask what's next. When will an adjuster come out? What should you have ready? What's covered under your policy?
  • Take notes. Write down the date, time, who you spoke with, and what they said. Follow up in email if possible

Step 5: Don't Sign Anything Yet

After a major event—especially storms in the St. Louis metro—roofing contractors and "claims specialists" will show up at your door. Be cautious:

  • Never sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) without understanding what you're giving up
  • Don't let anyone "file on your behalf" before you've talked to a licensed public adjuster or your own attorney
  • Get multiple estimates before committing to repairs
  • Verify contractor licenses through the Missouri Division of Professional Registration or the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Step 6: Consider a Public Adjuster

You have the right to hire your own licensed public adjuster—someone who works for you, not the insurance company. In Missouri and Illinois, a public adjuster can:

  • Review your policy and identify every coverage that applies
  • Prepare a detailed damage estimate that captures what the carrier's adjuster may miss
  • Negotiate directly with the insurance company on your behalf
  • Handle supplemental claims if additional damage is discovered later

The Bottom Line

The first 48 hours set the tone for your entire claim. Document thoroughly, mitigate quickly, file promptly, and don't sign anything under pressure. The more organized you are from the start, the stronger your position when it's time to negotiate.

Not sure where to start? Contact STL Public Adjusting for a free claim review. We serve homeowners and business owners across the St. Louis metro, Missouri, and Illinois. Call 314-922-3083.