What is my duty to make temporary repairs?
Protect the property from further damage. If repairs to the property are required, you must make reasonable and necessary repairs to protect the property and keep an accurate record of repair expenses. Prepare an inventory of damaged personal property showing the quantity, description, date of purchase, actual cash value and amount of loss. Attach all bills, receipts and related documents that justify the figures in the inventory. If you do not take reasonable steps to stop damage from spreading and do not prove your costs for making temporary repairs, the insurer may reduce the settlement or deny the claim. If your claim is not covered, this documentation is valuable when you file your income tax return, which provides for deductions based on property losses. Furthermore, if you live in a federal disaster area, you may qualify for reimbursement for uninsured losses.
