IMPORTANT TIP:  Always ensure that the images captured are clear and that the lighting is sufficient in the area being photographed.  Photograph the property in the following sequence:

EXTERIOR

1. Start with the exterior of the property.
2. Capture the street address of your property from street elevation.
3. Proceed with the front, all side- and rear-exterior walls of the property.

INTERIOR

1. Next photograph the interior of the property in the following sequence, Entryway/Foyer, and work your way to the Living room, Dining room, Kitchen, Den, Master Bedroom, Master bathroom, remaining bedrooms, and bathrooms.
2. When taking pictures of a room, begin by taking a wide overview of the room. Next, take pictures of the ceiling, walls then floors. The first picture is a reference for the images taken thereafter, the order in which the photos are taken matters. For example, if you have the same type of flooring throughout the house, you won’t be able to tell based on the image what room the photo was taken in. The ceiling is another example, most homes have the same-colored ceiling throughout the home.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

1. Once you have taken photos of the ceiling, walls, and floors of a particular room, make sure to take individual photos of personal property in the room. Examples are artwork, furniture, appliances…etc.
2. This method of taking pictures applies to both Pre-Loss inspections and Post Loss inspections. The reason for taking pictures of the entire property post-loss, when only one room suffered a “loss” is that damages develop over time. For example, if your roof is damaged due to a storm, the ceiling will not show water damage immediately at the time of the loss. Over the next several weeks water stains will begin to show. It is not uncommon to have damages appear some time after the date of loss for storms and other claims.  Once damages are observed, it is important to report the damage immediately.