Insurance inspection checklist
Insurance inspections come in two flavors: proactive (documenting condition before a claim ever occurs) and reactive (documenting a loss after it happens). Both benefit from the same evidence structure — dated photos, systematic coverage, and a clean PDF an adjuster will actually read.
Who it's for
Property owners preparing for policy renewal, owners after a loss event (water, storm, fire), and public adjusters preparing claim packets.
Key facts
- Works for pre-loss (renewal) or post-loss (claim)
- Adjuster-accepted evidence structure
- Mitigation documentation included
- Repeatable annually for insurance history
The full checklist
- 1Policy reference and property identification
Photograph policy number, effective dates, and property address.
- 2Exterior overview
Full building exterior, all elevations. Wide shots first.
- 3Roof condition (from ground)
Any visible damage or wear. Age of roof if known.
- 4Interior overview per room
Wide shots per room documenting general condition.
- 5Major systems
HVAC, water heater, electrical panel. Age plates photographed.
- 6Fire and life safety
Every smoke and CO detector tested. Extinguishers in-date.
- 7Loss-specific documentation (if applicable)
Cause of loss, extent of damage, wide + close-up per damaged item, adjacent-area photos.
- 8Mitigation evidence (if applicable)
Photos of shutoffs, tarping, dehumidifiers, contractor invoices for immediate mitigation.
- 9Repair estimates (if applicable)
Attach contractor estimates or bids.
- 10Packet submission
Export the PDF and submit to the carrier or adjuster with any carrier-specific forms.
Pro tips
- Annual pre-loss documentation is the single most valuable insurance record you can build.
- Mitigation not documented is often mitigation not covered.
- Keep the packet for the policy period plus the state's statute-of-limitations window on claims.
Frequently asked
Does this replace a professional inspection for insurance?⌄
It complements one. Some carriers require a licensed inspection for high-value or older properties.
How does this help with claims?⌄
Adjusters accept dated photo evidence in PDF form. This structure matches what most carriers request.
Should I share the PDF with my agent?⌄
Yes for pre-loss documentation, then again per claim event. Agents can flag anything the carrier will want elaborated.
Run this checklist in DoneTrace
Every step is a photo-backed proof point. Get an audit-ready PDF the moment you finish.