The answer

Capture safe wide and close views of the exterior, source, every affected room, water lines, openings, debris, damaged and adjacent undamaged materials, contents, model and serial numbers, meters, weather, notices and access conditions before change. Keep originals, event time, discovery, actions, contacts, claim references, mitigation logs, moisture or specialist findings, inventories, estimates, invoices, receipts, permits, inspections, warranties and settlement correspondence.

Calgary-specific context

A useful file proves chronology, cause questions, original condition, work completed and money spent, not just the worst-looking damage.

What to do next

Use the downloadable evidence board and preserve private records in the insurer's or professional's approved secure channel.

Related guides

First-hour safety, evidence, mitigation, claim, repair, disclosure, and sale guideCalgary Property Damage, Insurance Claim, and Recovery DecisionsA Calgary-specific recovery system for hail, wind, roof, water, sewer backup, freeze, fire, smoke, structural, vandalism, tree-impact, and vacancy losses. Protect people, stop further damage where safe, preserve original conditions, notify the insurer, control emergency contractors, establish cause and responsibility, reconcile estimates and permits, manage temporary housing and financing, document repairs, resolve claim disputes, and protect future disclosure, value, and sale decisions.Decision playbookCalgary Property Damage, Insurance Claim, and Recovery PlaybookCalgary Property Damage, Insurance Claim, and Recovery Playbook for Calgary homeowners, condo owners, landlords, tenants, buyers, sellers, families, and investors responding to actual property damage or an open insurance claim: Choose protect, evacuate, notify, document, mitigate, investigate, estimate, repair, dispute, disclose, delay a transaction, sell as-is, or rebuild from safety, policy, property, contract, and value evidence.Interactive toolCalgary Property Damage, Claim, and Recovery PlannerTurn an actual Calgary hail, wind, water, sewer, freeze, fire, smoke, structural, vandalism, or vacancy-loss event into a safety, evidence, insurer, mitigation, repair, disclosure, and sale decision board.

Verify before relying

Official sources for this topic

These sources explain the rules and records relevant to this topic. Check the current requirements for your property.

City of Calgary emergency cleanup and repairsOfficial Calgary safety, restoration, damaged-item, structural repair, permit, licensed-trade, inspection, and insurer-coordination guidance after an emergency.City of Calgary basement flooding and seepageOfficial Calgary safety and 311 pathway for basement flooding, seepage, gas, electricity, and homeowner response.City of Calgary sewage backupsOfficial Calgary exposure-safety, 311, City-versus-private service, insurer, cleanout, and prevention pathway for sewage backup.City of Calgary disaster recoveryOfficial Calgary recovery starting point for property damage, returning home, cleanup, supports, and emergency contacts.City of Calgary hail guidanceOfficial Calgary hail preparation, damage, repair, permit, and contractor pathway.City of Calgary home-improvement permitsRead the current official guidance and confirm what applies to your property.Alberta steps after a disasterOfficial Alberta sequence for photographing damage, contacting the insurer, obtaining written coverage and exclusion information, and checking local or provincial support.Alberta insurance consumer informationAlberta Superintendent of Insurance consumer resources, company information, complaints, and property-insurance pathways.Alberta insurance consumer complaintsOfficial Alberta claim complaint, insurer escalation, ombudservice, proof-of-loss, loss-amount dispute, regulator, and legal-review pathway.Alberta insurance and disastersOfficial Alberta explanation of insurance-first recovery, available coverage, receipts, exclusions, and the boundary with public disaster assistance.Alberta Hazard Assistance and Resilience ProgramOfficial Alberta last-resort pathway for qualifying uninsurable natural-hazard loss after local authority approval.Alberta hiring a contractorOfficial Alberta consumer guidance for contractor identity, qualifications, insurance, written estimates, contracts, payment, and complaints.Insurance Bureau of Canada severe-weather recoveryCurrent consumer guidance for documenting severe-weather loss, starting a claim, additional living expense records, and claim recovery.Insurance Bureau of Canada hail guidanceConsumer guidance for hail coverage questions, claim stages, damage documentation, and insurer conversations.Alberta condominium informationOfficial condominium law, document, insurance, bylaw, reserve-fund, and ownership information.RECA property condition, disclosure and title guidanceRead the current official guidance and confirm what applies to your property.Law Society of Alberta lawyer directoryOfficial Alberta directory for checking lawyer status and searching by location, practice area, language, and other criteria.

Check the current information at the linked source. Ask the appropriate professional how it applies to your property.

Important

This is general information, not legal advice. Speak with a qualified lawyer about your specific situation.