After-storm checklist for commercial property
What to do after hail or high wind at a commercial or apartment property: people first, then photos and records, temporary protection and notice to the insurer.
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Safety first
Lightning can still strike after the rain eases, which is when many people go back out too soon.3
Treat every power line as live.4
Don't go into a damaged building if anyone smells gas, floodwater remains or officials have not cleared it.
Shut the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company; only a qualified professional turns it back on.
Wet equipment can shock anyone who touches it or stands in water near it.
A damaged roof can give way under a worker.
A tarped roof is very slippery when wet, and tarped skylights are hard to see.
Generator exhaust carries carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can kill.7
Document the damage
Photos and video taken before cleanup are the main proof of what the storm did.
Roof damage often shows first as stains on top-floor ceilings or damage to rooftop units.
The adjuster may need to see damaged items before they go.
The standard commercial property form lists this among the insured's duties, if feasible, so the property can be examined.1
The standard commercial property form requires giving the insurer that description as soon as possible.1
On request, the standard form requires complete inventories of both, with quantities, costs and values.1
A record of who said what helps if questions come up later.
Protect from further damage
Temporary repairs keep rain from adding to the damage.
OSHA says cleanup and drying within 24 to 48 hours will prevent or limit mold growth.6
Floodwater can carry sewage and toxic substances.
The standard form requires reasonable steps to protect the property and a record of what they cost, for use in settling the claim.1
Permanent repairs can hide damage the adjuster needs to see.
Notify
The standard commercial property form requires prompt notice of the loss, with a description of the property involved.1
TDI says its Help Line, 800-252-3439, can give contact information for an insurance company.2
Only the utility can shut off and ground the lines.
Phone lines are often down or busy after a storm; save calls for emergencies.
The adjuster needs to find the building and reach you, so give them a current phone number.
General guidance, not legal advice. Follow local officials after a storm.
What the standard form and TDI say
The Insurance Services Office Building and Personal Property Coverage Form (CP 00 10, October 2012 edition) lists the insured's duties in the event of loss or damage.1
| Duty | What the form says |
|---|---|
| Police | Notify the police if a law may have been broken |
| Notice | Prompt notice of the loss or damage, with a description of the property |
| Description | How, when and where the loss happened, as soon as possible |
| Protection | All reasonable steps to protect the property from further damage, with a record of the expenses |
| Damaged property | Set aside in the best possible order for examination, if feasible |
| Inventories | Complete inventories of damaged and undamaged property, on request |
| Inspection | Access to inspect the property, take samples and examine books and records |
| Proof of loss | A signed, sworn proof of loss within 60 days after the insurer's request |
| Cooperation | Cooperation in the investigation or settlement of the claim |
The form says "prompt" notice rather than a number of days. TDI's storm page says to call the insurance agent or company as soon as possible to report property damage.1,2
Questions
- What should I do first after a hailstorm hits my commercial property?
- Wait 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder, keep people 10 feet from downed lines and off a damaged roof until it is checked, then photograph the damage, cover openings and report the damage to the insurer.3,4,5,2
- Can I make repairs before the adjuster comes?
- Yes, temporary repairs that prevent more damage, such as covering broken windows and holes; keep the receipts. Hold off on permanent repairs until the adjuster has seen the damage.
- How soon do I have to tell my insurer about storm damage?
- The standard commercial property form, CP 00 10, requires prompt notice and does not set a number of days. TDI says to call the agent or company as soon as possible.1,2
- How fast does water damage turn into mold?
- OSHA says a prompt response, within 24 to 48 hours, of cleanup, drying or removal of wet materials will prevent or limit mold growth.6
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Sources
Checks are kept in this browser only and sent nowhere. Each item is from the published sources below.
- 1. Insurance Services Office (copy hosted by Independent Insurance Agents of Texas): Building and Personal Property Coverage Form, CP 00 10 10 12
- 2. Texas Department of Insurance: Help after a storm
- 3. National Weather Service: Overview: Lightning Safety
- 4. Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Keeping Workers Safe during Disaster Cleanup and Recovery, FS-3698
- 5. Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Roof Tarping (Blue Roof) Safety, FS-3926
- 6. Occupational Safety and Health Administration: A Brief Guide to Mold in the Workplace, SHIB 03-10-10
- 7. Ready.gov, Federal Emergency Management Agency: Power Outages