Should I Clean Up Before the Adjuster Comes?
No. Take photos first, remove only what's causing further damage, and leave the rest for the adjuster to see.
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Why the order matters here
The adjuster is building their assessment off what they see, so the damage needs to still be there in a form that tells the story. Photograph everything first, from a few angles, before anything gets moved. After that, you can clear out what's actively making things worse, like standing water or a tree branch through the roof, since drying out a flooded room or tarping a hole isn't optional while you wait. Keep anything you remove, like soaked carpet or broken fixtures, until the adjuster has seen it or told you it's fine to toss. Keep receipts for any temporary repairs too, since those are usually reimbursable under your policy. What you shouldn't do is start full repairs or haul away debris before the visit, since that's what gives the adjuster room to question the claim later.
If the adjuster's estimate comes in low, the documentation decides what happens next. Photos taken before cleanup, receipts for temporary repairs, the items kept instead of tossed, all of it backs up a case for more if the offer doesn't cover the rebuild. Comparing what your policy actually pays against what another insurer would offer is worth doing before you sign off on anything.
What if the adjuster wants to meet before I've documented anything
Sometimes the adjuster shows up faster than expected, before there's been time to photograph the damage properly. If that happens, say so. Ask for a few minutes to walk the property and take pictures before the inspection starts, or ask to reschedule by a day if the damage is extensive. A reasonable adjuster won't mind. Their job is to assess the loss accurately, and your photos only help that.
It also helps to have your own notes ready, separate from whatever the adjuster writes down. Jot down when the damage happened, what caused it, and anything you've already done, like calling a plumber or tarping a roof. If there's a point of disagreement later about the cause or extent of the damage, your own timeline written close to the event carries more weight than something reconstructed from memory months afterward.
During the visit itself, walk through the property with the adjuster rather than letting them go room to room alone. Point out damage that might not be obvious, like water that traveled under flooring or into a wall cavity. Ask questions as you go. If the adjuster says something is not covered, ask which policy provision they're relying on and write it down. You're entitled to see how they're reasoning through it, and a vague answer is worth following up on later.
After the visit, ask when to expect the written estimate and what the next step looks like if you disagree with it. Some policies have an appraisal process built in for exactly this situation, where a disputed estimate gets reviewed by a neutral third party instead of being left to the adjuster's word alone. Your declarations page or policy booklet will say whether that option exists for you. Knowing it's there before you need it means you're not scrambling to find it after an offer comes in low.
What should I ask the adjuster while they're there
The visit is the one chance to get answers in person, so it helps to go in with questions rather than just watching the adjuster work. Ask how they're calculating the damage, whether they're using actual cash value or replacement cost, and which one your policy pays out on. Those two numbers can be far apart, especially on roofs and older systems, and the gap is often where disputes start later.
Ask what documentation they're using beyond what they see that day. Some adjusters pull weather records, prior claims history, or contractor estimates after the visit, and those can shift the number up or down without you knowing it happened. If they mention bringing in a specialist, like an engineer for a foundation issue or a roofer for storm damage, ask when that happens and whether you'll see that report before the final offer.
It also helps to ask about the scope directly. Adjusters sometimes write an estimate for the visible damage without accounting for what a contractor would need to do to actually complete the repair, like matching materials, code upgrades, or tearing out more than what's damaged to do the job right. If something seems missing from the scope, say so while they're still standing there instead of catching it after the estimate arrives in writing.
Before the adjuster leaves, ask for their direct contact information and a rough timeline for the written estimate. Find out whether the number they give verbally that day is final or still being reviewed internally. Some adjusters have authority to approve certain amounts on the spot while larger claims go through additional review. Knowing which situation applies to the claim sets expectations for what happens next and how long it reasonably takes.
Before you sign anything
Check your policy for actual cash value versus replacement cost, and look for an appraisal clause. Knowing which one applies to your claim, before the written estimate arrives, tells you what the number should actually look like.
