In the aftermath of a disaster, especially one that has caused significant damage to your property and community, the prospect of dealing with your homeowners insurance may seem overwhelming.

However, once you and your family are safe, you'll want to begin working with your insurance company as quickly as possible to avoid delays in the approval, processing, and payout of your claim and the rebuilding of your property. (Especially if there's another storm on the way.)

Here's how to get that process started.

Protect your home from additional damage

If you weather the storm at home or are able to return quickly (and safely), prevent any further critical damage to your property, such as boarding up broken windows or covering exposed parts of your roof with a tarp. Your homeowners insurance policy likely requires you to take "reasonable" steps to limit additional losses in order to be eligible for coverage.

Be sure to save receipts for any temporary or emergency repairs made to submit for reimbursement, which should also cover materials used to prevent further damage (but may not apply to items purchased before the storm). As this will be factored into your final settlement, the Insurance Information Institute (III) cautions against paying large sums to contractors for extensive repairs in the immediate aftermath of a disaster before your insurer has assessed the damage.

Call your insurance company immediately

As soon as you can—ideally within the first few days of the incident—contact your property insurance agent or company. While you may be able to file a claim online, the best way to start is by calling. You can begin this process from anywhere (if you've evacuated, for example) if you know your home has suffered major damage. You will need to provide your insurer with some details initially, but they will also conduct a formal inspection later. Have your policy number handy if possible when you call.

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) detailed guide to post-disaster claims, you should discuss the following when you call:

• How long you have to file your claim

• What your policy covers

• What your deductible is

• The timeline for meeting with a claims adjuster

• Whether your policy will reimburse for additional living expenses, such as food or lodging

• Whether you need to submit estimates for repairs

• How long the claims process will take

• What to expect next

You should also write down the names and phone numbers of everyone you speak with and any claim or reference numbers you receive.

Document everything

Any time you are dealing with insurance of any kind, documentation is key:

Keep all receipts for expenses related to the disaster, including hotel and restaurant bills if you aren't able to live at home due to the damage and any emergency repairs.

Review your personal property inventory and document any damaged or destroyed items in written and visual form. If you don't have an inventory, look at photos you've taken and search through your email for receipts to create one as best you can.

Thoroughly document structural damages to your property and list everything to provide to your claims adjuster. You may need to get professional inspections, which most insurance companies will cover, and bids from licensed contractors to support your claim.

Documenting damage as quickly and thoroughly as possible—and contacting your insurance company as soon as you are able—is even more critical when your home is at risk of damage from back-to-back storms. Insurers may push back on your claim and coverage if they cannot determine what caused the specific damage.

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