Emergency Repairs: Your Duty to Protect Your Property
Your policy requires you to prevent further damage. Learn what emergency repairs are covered.
After a loss, your policy requires you to take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage. This is your "duty to mitigate." The good news: your policy also pays for these emergency repairs.
What's Covered
- Board-up and tarping after fire, wind, or break-in
- Water extraction and emergency drying after a water loss
- Emergency plumbing to stop active leaks
- Tree removal if a fallen tree is causing ongoing damage
- Temporary fencing for security
- Emergency electrical work to prevent fire hazards
Critical Rules
- Document before you mitigate. Take photos and video of the damage before any cleanup or temporary repairs begin.
- Keep all receipts. Every dollar you spend on emergency repairs should be documented and submitted to the carrier.
- Don't make permanent repairs until the adjuster has inspected. Emergency repairs protect the property; permanent repairs wait for the claim process.
- Don't throw away damaged materials until the adjuster has seen them or you have thorough documentation.
Don't Wait for the Adjuster
You do not need to wait for the insurance company's adjuster before making emergency repairs. In fact, waiting could be used against you — if additional damage occurs because you didn't act, the carrier may deny coverage for that additional damage. Act promptly, document thoroughly, and submit your receipts.
Need Help With Your Claim?
If your insurer is giving you trouble, a licensed Public Adjuster can review your file and represent you in negotiations — at no upfront cost.
Request a Free Claim Review →