Catastrophe Claim Field Inspection Protocol

It covers the core facts needed on a CAT loss visit: claim and site details, life-safety hazards, exterior damage, interior damage, temporary mitigation, and sign-off. The structure is built for fast documentation when multiple properties need to be assessed in a short window. It is meant to produce a clear field record that supports claim handling, contractor dispatch, and next-step decisions.

Use it after storms, wind events, hail, flood, fire, smoke, or other catastrophe losses when a field visit is needed to document conditions on site. It is especially useful when access is limited, hazards may still be active, or the property is only partially safe to enter. It is not a replacement for a full engineering evaluation when structural failure or major instability is suspected.

A field adjuster, CAT adjuster, independent adjuster, or trained inspector can complete it, provided they are qualified to recognize obvious hazards and document observable damage. If the site presents structural instability, electrical exposure, gas odor, or other active danger, a competent person or specialist should be involved before entry. The template is designed to capture what the inspector can safely observe, not to diagnose hidden conditions.

It is typically used once per initial field visit and then repeated if the property changes materially, such as after mitigation, re-entry, or worsening weather. In a large event, teams may use it across many properties in the same day to keep documentation consistent. If the loss evolves, a fresh inspection record is better than trying to amend a single stale report.

Ad-hoc notes often miss critical items like access restrictions, utility concerns, or whether temporary protection was already in place. This protocol forces a consistent walk-through order so the inspector does not skip from exterior damage to interior contents without recording life-safety conditions first. That makes the file easier to review, compare, and defend later.

It is compatible with general safety documentation practices used under OSHA, NFPA fire-life-safety guidance, and insurer claim workflows. Where hazards are present, the inspector should note conditions that affect safe access, PPE, and immediate mitigation rather than trying to certify compliance. If the loss involves fire, flood, or utility damage, local authority requirements and emergency response guidance may also apply.

Yes. You can add event-specific prompts for hail, wind uplift, flood contamination, smoke migration, or vehicle impact without changing the core flow. Many teams also add fields for adjuster assignment, contractor referral, moisture readings, drone photos, or engineering referral triggers.

The biggest mistakes are entering the property before checking for active hazards, using vague damage descriptions, and failing to mark unsafe areas or follow-up priorities. Another common issue is documenting only the obvious exterior damage and missing interior water intrusion, utility compromise, or contents loss. Good use of this template means recording what was observed, where it was observed, and whether the area was safe to access.