At Green, Klein, Wood & Jones, we believe preparation isn’t just a good idea — it’s essential. In the world of property insurance claims, being proactive can mean the difference between a smooth recovery and a costly dispute with your insurer.
You may already be familiar with our earlier article, “Pre-Loss Inspections: Why They Matter.” That piece explored how documenting the condition of your property before damage occurs gives you a baseline for comparison, helps you identify risks early, and strengthens your insurance claim position when loss happens.
Today, we’re taking that concept further — because doing a pre-loss inspection is half the battle. Knowing how to document what you find matters just as much.
The Value of Doing a Thorough Pre-Loss Inspection
A pre-loss inspection is a systematic review of your property — inside and out — conducted before any damage has occurred. Its purpose is simple: to record the as-is condition of your home or commercial asset, down to the smallest detail.
Here’s why that matters:
✔️ Creates a Clear Baseline for Future Comparison
If you suffer a storm, fire, water intrusion, or another loss, your insurer will want to know what was damaged and what wasn’t. A detailed pre-loss inspection gives you an objective baseline — pictures, notes, and records of the condition beforehand — that supports your claim and limits disputes about whether damage was pre-existing or new.
✔️ Helps You Spot Risks Before They Become Claims
Inspections often reveal issues that everyday use doesn’t — from minor leaks and worn roofing to electrical or mechanical concerns. Fixing these proactively can prevent an otherwise avoidable claim.
✔️ Strengthens Your Position in a Claim Dispute
One of the biggest things courts look for in a property insurance dispute is whether the insured can demonstrate the pre-loss condition of the property. The ability to do so is crucial. The failure to do so can be devastating.
Texas law places the initial burden on the insured to establish coverage. And when multiple storms, excluded perils, or pre-existing conditions are involved, the duty to segregate covered from non-covered damage can determine whether a claim survives at all.
In Certain Underwriters at Lloyds of London v. Lowen Valley View, LLC, the Fifth Circuit held that the insured could not recover because there was no reliable evidence permitting a jury to determine which storm caused the damage. Multiple hail events occurred, but only one fell within the policy period. Without proof allocating damage to the covered event, recovery failed.
Similarly, in Landmark Partners, Inc. v. Western World Insurance Company, the insured’s expert admitted he could not differentiate damage from the claimed storm versus prior or subsequent storms. The court emphasized that when covered and non-covered events combine, the insured must present a reasonable basis for allocating damages. The failure to segregate was fatal to the claim.
These cases reinforce a critical reality:
- Courts require evidence.
- Courts require allocation when concurrent causation is present.
- Courts require proof of what the property looked like before the claimed event.
If you cannot demonstrate the condition of your roof, exterior, interior finishes, or systems before a storm, you may not be able to meet your burden when the insurer argues wear and tear, prior damage, or multiple storm events.
Pre-loss inspections and documentation directly address this issue. They create the record that courts later demand.
✔️ Supports Wise Insurance Coverage Decisions
Sometimes a pre-loss inspection will reveal that your current coverage may not fully protect your property’s replacement cost — prompting you to adjust to broader or higher limits while you still can.
Documentation: More Than Just Photos
A successful pre-loss record goes beyond a few snapshots. Ideally, it should include:
- Exterior and interior photos of all major systems and structures
- Video walkthroughs of each area of the property
- Annotated notes on condition and age of components
- Contents inventory for personal property, valuable items, and equipment
This is why we’re excited to soon share a step-by-step video guide that walks you through EXACTLY how to record your property’s condition like a professional — whether you’re doing it yourself or preparing to work with an expert.
Whether you own a single-family home in Texas, a commercial building, or an HOA property, having a thorough visual and written record before loss happens empowers you to:
✔️ Reduce guesswork in claims
✔ Support higher and more accurate recoveries
✔ Avoid insurer disputes over what was or wasn’t damaged
Conclusion: Preparation Is Protection
Insurance claims are often decided by documentation. When damage occurs, memories fade, evidence deteriorates, and questions arise. Property owners who can clearly demonstrate the condition of their property before a loss are in a stronger position from day one.
At Green, Klein, Wood & Jones, we routinely see the difference preparation makes. Pre-loss inspections and thorough documentation do not just simplify claims — they help protect the full value of what you have built.
The time to document your property is not after damage occurs. It is now.
If you have questions about pre-loss inspections, coverage concerns, or an existing claim dispute, our team is available to provide guidance and claim reviews. Proactive protection today can prevent costly conflict tomorrow.
