Insured's Duty to Protect Property from Further Damage

Protecting all property from further damage

Each policy on the first-party property allows the insured to protect the property against further damage. The insured should also turn off any water flow to damaged appliances or pipes, plan for openings on covered roofs or walls to protect against rain damage, and request assistance from the adjuster (including advance payment) to protect the property from damages of all kinds. Any appropriate emergency steps must be taken by the insured to protect the building and personal property from further damage. Until the insurance company's approval is received in writing and the insured has reported the condition, the insured does not throw anything away.

The insured does not need to retain any damaged property that poses a risk to the insured's health or safety, the family of the insured, or the family or others. Suppose the insurer delays or refuses to approve steps to avoid more damages. In that case, the insured should confirm the insurer's delay by fax, email, and letter and make all reasonable attempts to secure the property that the insured can afford.

The insurance provider may also bear the cost of any necessary emergency steps taken by the insured to protect the property from future damages if the damage is covered. It is not rare for an insurer to refuse damage compensation after the initial claim because an insured declined to comply with the insurance requirement to protect the property from further damage, so it is reasonable for the insured to do what he can to demonstrate the attempts made to protect the property from other injuries.