Public adjusting
How public adjusters document contents in Massachusetts
How Massachusetts public adjusters document contents claims after ice dams, frozen pipes and storms: room by room, one item per photo, sourced prices.
Many Massachusetts contents claims start with water: an ice dam, a frozen pipe, a nor'easter. Here is how public adjusters document those losses, and where ClaimTime AI helps.
Why the inventory matters
The contents inventory is the claim's evidence for personal property. A complete, organized inventory helps in three ways:
- Valuation. Each item is described and priced, so the amount claimed can be traced line by line.
- Fewer disputes. A source behind every price and a photo behind every line leave less to argue about.
- An easier review. A reviewer can follow an inventory grouped by room far more easily than a list in no order.
Typical Massachusetts losses
- Ice dams. Meltwater backs up under the roof edge and leaks into ceilings, walls and upstairs rooms.
- Frozen pipes. A pipe in an exterior wall or an unheated space splits and soaks a kitchen, a bath or a basement.
- Nor'easters. Wind-driven rain gets in around windows, doors and roofs.
- Older homes. Triple-deckers and older colonials often store belongings in basements, where water collects first.
Water damage moves fast. Wet items get moved, dried or thrown away, and the evidence goes with them, so document early.
Steps to document a contents claim
1. Walk the property
Make a first pass through every affected room. Note the extent of the damage, the high-value items, and anything that has to move soon for drying or mitigation.
2. Photograph room by room
Take a wide photo of each wall, then a photo of each item, one item per photo, in place. Add close-ups of the damage and of any label, model plate or serial number.
3. Describe each item
Record what the item is (brand, model, size, material), how many there are and how old it is. Note its condition before the loss.
4. Price it, with the source
Price each item at what it would cost to replace today, and keep the source of every price so a reviewer can check it.
5. Organize and export
Group the inventory by room, check the totals, and export it in the format the carrier asks for, usually a spreadsheet.
Work with the policyholder
Policyholders know their homes better than anyone. Ask them for receipts, order history and photos from before the loss, and walk each room with them so nothing is missed. Keep everything they send with the claim.
How ClaimTime AI helps
- One photo, one drafted line item. ClaimTime AI identifies the item and drafts its title, description, category, quantity and age.
- Sourced pricing. Each price links to the retail listing it came from, so you can check it or pick another.
- Review flags. Items the AI isn't sure about are flagged for your review, so you know where to look.
- Organized by room. Room and claim RCV totals update as you work, and the inventory exports to Excel or an HTML report.
- The policyholder in the loop. On Pro, the policyholder portal collects photos, receipts and signatures.
See how it fits a public adjusting practice, or browse the product guides. For the full method, read how to build a contents claim inventory.
Frequently asked questions
How does ClaimTime AI handle unusual or rare items?
Unique and rare items are the hardest to identify and price, so ClaimTime AI flags the items it is unsure about for your review. You can edit the description, choose a different source or enter your own price.
Does it work for every kind of claim?
It's built for contents (personal property) claims, from a single room to a whole-home loss. High-value and unusual items still need your review before you export.
How do I try it alongside my current process?
Start with one claim. Create a free account, add the rooms, upload the photos you already took, and compare the draft inventory with how you work today. Export it to Excel when you're done.