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What to Do If Your Florida Home Is Damaged While You're Away
If your Southwest Florida home is damaged while you're away, get someone local to check it safely, stop the damage from spreading, document everything with photos, and contact your insurance company. Here's a step-by-step guide, and how we can help as your boots on the ground.
Last updated October 27, 2026
Step by step
1. Get eyes on the home safely
Have a trusted local person check the home as soon as it's safe. If you don't have someone, a home watch company can do this for you.
2. Stop the damage from spreading
Shut off the water at the main for leaks, keep the AC running to control humidity, and call a water mitigation company if there's standing water.
3. Document everything
Take photos and video of every room and every damaged item before anything is moved, cleaned or repaired.
4. Contact your insurance company
Report the damage promptly and follow their instructions. Check with them before throwing anything away or starting major repairs.
5. Use licensed, reputable contractors
Get written estimates, check licenses and reviews, and be wary of anyone going door to door after a storm.
6. Keep records and follow up
Save receipts, reports and correspondence, and follow up with every vendor until the work is finished.
How Sunshine Sentry can help
- Check your home inside and out and send you a photo report
- Meet insurance adjusters, roofers, plumbers and mitigation companies
- Let contractors in, follow up on the work and lock up afterward
- Coordinate and follow up on all your vendors so nothing falls through the cracks
- Keep checking weekly until repairs are done
Away when a storm hit? Request a one-time post-hurricane inspection. Existing monthly customers get priority.
Prevent it next time
Most damage to empty homes starts small: a slow leak, a failed AC unit or a storm-damaged screen. Regular home watch visits catch these early. Before you leave, use our closing-up checklist and hurricane season checklist.
This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Always follow your insurance company's instructions.
FAQ
What should I do first if my Florida home is damaged while I'm away?
Make sure someone safe can get to the home to check it, stop any ongoing damage such as shutting off the water, and document everything with photos before anything is moved or repaired.
Should I call my insurance company right away?
Yes. Report damage to your insurer as soon as you can, follow their instructions, and check with them before throwing away damaged items or starting major repairs.
Can someone meet the adjuster and contractors for me?
Yes. Sunshine Sentry can meet insurance adjusters, mitigation companies and contractors at your home, let them in, follow up on the work and keep you updated.
Can you check my home after a hurricane if I'm not a customer?
Yes. We offer one-time post-hurricane inspections to new customers who aren't on a monthly plan. Our existing monthly home watch customers get priority.
Need someone to check on your home now?
Call or text us, or request a check online.