Upstate SC sees the full spectrum of severe weather — summer thunderstorms with damaging straight-line winds and hail, the occasional ice event, and the tail-end of Atlantic and Gulf hurricane systems that still pack 50–70 mph gusts by the time they reach Greenville. When one of those events damages your home, the steps you take in the first 48 hours often determine how smoothly your insurance claim goes and how much of the repair cost actually ends up covered.
1. Stop further damage (and document everything you do)
Your policy obligates you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage — tarping a roof, boarding up a broken window, extracting standing water. Keep every receipt for tarps, plywood, hotel stays, and emergency services; those are usually reimbursable under "additional living expense" or "mitigation" coverage. Photograph and video everything before you move it.
2. Call your insurance company before you call a contractor
File the claim through your carrier's claim line or app. You'll be assigned a claim number and (usually within a few days) an adjuster will schedule an inspection. Get the adjuster's name, direct line, and email — you'll need them.
3. Do not sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB)
This is the single most important sentence in this article. South Carolina has seen a wave of out-of-state restoration outfits that knock on doors after storms with an AOB contract — a document that legally transfers your insurance claim rights to them. Once signed, they control the claim, the money, and often the scope of work. Many disappear before finishing. Reputable local contractors do not need an AOB to do the work; they bill the carrier or invoice you for the approved scope. If a contractor leads with an AOB, send them away.
4. Get an independent contractor estimate before the adjuster's visit
Adjusters write claims in software that produces line-item estimates (Xactimate is the dominant tool). When your contractor uses the same line-item format, the scope conversation is much faster and you're far less likely to be under-scoped. A licensed local contractor will walk every elevation, photograph hidden damage, and give you a written scope you can hand to the adjuster.
5. Expect supplements when work begins
Water damage in particular hides behind drywall and under flooring until demo starts. When more damage is uncovered, your contractor submits a supplement request to your carrier with photos and an updated scope. This becomes part of the covered claim. A good contractor handles supplements as a normal part of the process — not as surprise change orders billed to you.
6. Pick a contractor who'll still be here next year
The trucks-with-out-of-state-plates that show up after every major storm are not who you want rebuilding your home. Look for: South Carolina general contractor license number on the proposal (the SC LLR database will confirm it's current), a real local address and shop, references from prior insurance jobs, and a workmanship warranty that survives the claim closing. Four Seasons Building & Remodeling (SC #BS24-000560) is one option in the Upstate — there are others. The point is, vet anyone you let on your property after a storm.
7. Know what your insurance probably does — and doesn't — cover
Usually covered: sudden wind, hail, fallen tree, lightning, fire/smoke, accidental water discharge (burst pipe, supply-line failure). Often not covered: flood (requires separate NFIP or private flood policy), gradual leaks, wear-and-tear, mold caused by long-term moisture rather than a sudden event. Coverage type matters: Replacement Cost Value (RCV) policies pay to rebuild with like-kind materials; Actual Cash Value (ACV) policies deduct depreciation. Most modern policies are RCV; older or budget policies may be ACV. Pull yours out and check before storm season.
If you've taken damage and want a free, no-pressure assessment with documentation you can hand straight to your adjuster, see our insurance repairs and storm damage restoration page or call (864) 270-4846. We'll tell you straight whether your adjuster's scope is reasonable or whether it's leaving repairs (and money) on the table.