For high-rise condominium property managers
High-Rise Claim: First 24 Hours Checklist
A building-wide loss creates competing demands immediately. Use this guide to support a safe, documented and coordinated first response while professional and carrier requirements are confirmed.
Protect people and operations
- Follow emergency, evacuation and life-safety procedures
- Address active water, fire, electrical, structural or access hazards
- Document emergency decisions, vendors, timing and affected areas
- Preserve building access and continuity for residents and essential personnel
Notify and organize
- Notify the appropriate carrier, agent or broker under the established reporting plan
- Establish one internal point of contact and one current stakeholder list
- Record loss timing, discovery, weather or event details and initial observations
- Create a central location for photographs, invoices, reports and correspondence
Preserve the factual record
- Photograph and video affected areas before material conditions change when safe
- Preserve damaged components or samples when practical and appropriate
- Track mitigation labor, equipment, materials, access and daily activity
- Gather plans, maintenance records, prior inspections, contracts and warranties
Coordinate building systems
- Identify envelope, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, elevator and life-safety impacts
- Confirm which systems or areas require specialized inspection
- Track unit, common-area and association responsibilities separately
- Keep the board informed with concise facts, actions, open questions and next decisions