What should I do first after the emergency?
Safety comes before paperwork. Make sure people and animals are safe and that the danger has passed. Stay away from downed lines, damaged structures, floodwater and gas smells until officials say it is safe.
Once it is safe, begin recording. Do not wait for the perfect moment, because details fade and cleanup erases evidence.
If you have to leave the property, take essential papers, medicines and phones with you, and let family and your insurer know where you are staying. Never go back into a damaged building until an authority says it is safe to enter.
How do I document damage?
Take photos and video of every damaged area before moving anything, wide shots first and then close-ups. Describe aloud what you are showing and note the date and time. Make a written list of damaged items, with approximate age and where you got them if you remember.
Keep damaged items when you can until the insurer has seen them or said otherwise.
Go room by room and building by building, and include fences, equipment, stored feed, vehicles and animals. Take photos of serial numbers and of undamaged items too, since the contrast helps. Store copies in cloud storage or with a relative.
- Wide and close photos and video
- A written inventory of damaged property
- Dates, times and descriptions
- Receipts for emergency purchases
When should I contact my insurer?
Report the loss promptly, using the phone number or portal on your policy. Ask what the company needs from you, what deadlines apply and what emergency repairs it will cover. Write down the date, the name of the person and what was said.
Policies differ widely, and farm, home, vehicle and crop coverage can all be separate. Read yours, ask questions and ask for answers in writing.
Keep a call log for every conversation about the claim. A simple notebook works. If an adjuster visits, walk the property together and ask them to explain what they note. Ask for copies of anything you are asked to sign.
What temporary repairs can I make?
Protecting property from further damage, such as covering a hole in a roof, is often expected. Keep receipts and photos before and after. Ask your insurer before major repairs or disposal.
Hire cautiously. Disaster cleanup attracts people who take deposits and vanish, so verify credentials with official sources.
Livestock and crop losses may involve different offices. Ask your veterinarian to document animal injuries and deaths, and ask FSA what records they would need for losses to crops, feed or fences. Disposal of animals has its own rules, so ask first.
What official help might exist?
Local emergency management offices, FEMA through Ready.gov, the Farm Service Agency and the SBA may offer information or assistance after declared disasters. Whether any help applies depends on the event, your property and your circumstances.
Ask your county emergency management office and local FSA office what is available and what deadlines exist. Do not rely on rumors.
Beware anyone who contacts you offering to handle your claim for a fee or asks for personal details by phone or message. Use official websites and numbers you look up yourself, and never share account numbers with someone who called you.
What records should I keep?
Keep a folder, paper and digital, with the policy, claim number, adjuster contact, photos, estimates, receipts, notes and every message. Back up digital copies somewhere away from the property.
If the claim drags, polite regular follow-up with dates written down helps. If you feel stuck, contact your state insurance department or a licensed professional.
Know that taxes, legal liability and disaster aid can be complicated, and the rules are set by agencies, not by advice columns. A licensed accountant, an attorney or your state insurance department can answer questions about your own situation.
How do I look after myself?
Recovery is tiring and stressful. Eat, sleep when you can, accept help from neighbors and take breaks. Grief over lost animals, buildings and routines is normal.
If you feel overwhelmed or hopeless, talk to someone you trust or a doctor. In the US, you can call or text 988 at any time to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Children and animals feel upheaval too. Keep routines where you can, let children help with small tasks and keep talking. The county health department or school can point you to counseling resources if the family is struggling.
Key takeaways
- Make safety the first step, then record everything.
- Photograph and list damage before cleanup.
- Report promptly and ask about deadlines in writing.
- Check official sources for help and look after your own wellbeing.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.