Claims · Insurance Term
Mitigation of Damages (Duty to Mitigate)
Definition
Mitigation of damages means taking reasonable steps after a loss to keep the damage from getting worse, such as tarping a roof or shutting off water. Property policies generally require it, and damage that grows because you did not act may not be covered.
In Plain English
Most property policies list mitigation among your duties after loss. If a pipe bursts, you are expected to stop the water, dry the area and protect contents. Insurers usually pay the reasonable cost of these steps as part of the claim, and many policies include preservation of property provisions for moving property to safety.
Mitigation is especially urgent with water damage, because mold can start within days. Emergency water removal, temporary roof covers and boarding broken windows are common examples. Keep it reasonable: do what is needed to stop further harm, not the full repair, until the insurer has had a chance to inspect.
Document everything. Take photos before and after, keep damaged items if you can, and save invoices. Report the loss promptly, using a first notice of loss, so the insurer can send someone quickly.
Not sure how your policy handles this? Have us review it, or get a quote.
Example
Hypothetical: a storm tears roofing off a warehouse at night. The owner pays a contractor $4,000 to tarp the roof the next morning and photographs the damage. The tarp prevents rain from ruining $200,000 of stored goods, and the $4,000 is submitted as part of the claim.
Why It Matters for Texas Property Owners
After Winter Storm Uri in February 2021, frozen and burst pipes caused many costly Texas commercial claims. Commercial property was about 10% of claims but about 53% of incurred losses in TDI's data call. Shutting off water quickly and drying the building are classic mitigation steps that limit this kind of loss.
What to Watch For
- Know where every water shutoff valve is at each property.
- Keep a list of emergency contractors for water removal, roofing and board-up.
- Photograph damage before and after emergency work, and keep every invoice.
- Call your agent or insurer before starting permanent repairs.
Sources
Last updated October 14, 2026 · Primesure editorial team · How We Write