After a loss, the insured's job is to report it, protect what is left and document everything. Under the standard duties after loss condition, the insured must:
give prompt notice to the insurer;
notify the police in case of theft;
protect the property from further damage and make reasonable and necessary repairs to protect it, keeping a record of the costs;
cooperate in the investigation;
prepare an inventory of damaged personal property;
show the damaged property as often as reasonably required.
Trap: the duty is to make protective repairs, not to finish permanent repairs before the insurer can inspect. Early permanent repairs could keep the insured from showing the damaged property.
Proof of loss: the California standard fire form gives the insured 60 days after a loss to file a sworn proof of loss. For a loss related to a state of emergency, an insurer may not require proof of loss less than 100 days after the loss, and it must give one or more three-month extensions for good cause when a delay is beyond the insured's control.