What should you photograph after an East Tennessee storm?

Outside

• Every side of the house from the yard, with the address visible in one shot. On hillside lots, shoot from uphill and downhill.
• Gutters, downspouts and heat pump fins at an angle to show dents.
• Shingles that are missing, folded or bruised, using zoom from the ground.
• On metal roofs: loose or missing screws, lifted panel edges, bent trim and dents.
• Trees and limbs where they landed, and the broken stub or roots.
• Siding, windows, decks, fences and outbuildings.

Inside

• Stains and drips, with enough of the room to show where they are.
• The attic, if safe: wet insulation, water trails, light through the deck.
• Damaged belongings with model numbers.

Cabins and rentals

If you own a cabin in Sevier or Blount County, ask whoever checks it to photograph every side and room after a storm, with the date. Save guest reports of leaks. Note when the cabin was last occupied, since some policies limit coverage for long-vacant property.

Records for a Tennessee claim

• The storm date and the NWS Morristown warning or report from the Storm Center.
• Claim number, adjuster names and a dated call log.
• Receipts for tarps, tree work, fans, lodging and meals.
• Estimates, contracts and invoices, plus the roofer's written disclosures required by Tennessee's roofing law.
• The date of any denial letter, since Tennessee courts often start the suit clock from the denial.

Keep samples

Keep a few damaged shingles, screws or trim pieces until the adjuster has seen them. Photograph anything you have to throw away first.

Video is quick and convincing

Walk slowly around the house with your phone recording, saying the date and what you see, then go through each room. Keep the original file with its timestamp. For cabins, ask whoever checks the property to do the same and send you the file.