When disaster strikes your home, the first hour matters more than most homeowners realize. What you do, and what you do not do, during those first 60 minutes can directly affect your safety, the amount of damage to your home, and how smoothly your insurance claim goes.

In this episode of the Happy Homeowners Hub Podcast, Fred Turner breaks down exactly what homeowners should focus on during the first critical hour after a disaster like water damage, fire, storm damage, or a major loss. Drawing from over 15 years of real-world experience in property claims and restoration, Fred walks through the priorities that can help protect your family, your home, and your claim.

You will learn how to stay calm, avoid common mistakes, and make smart decisions when emotions are running high. Fred also shares real-life examples of homeowners who acted quickly and wisely, and others who unintentionally made the situation worse by panicking or waiting too long.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why the first hour after a disaster is so important
• The immediate safety steps every homeowner should take
• How to prevent additional damage to your property
• What documentation you should start right away
• When to contact your insurance company and when to wait
• Mistakes homeowners often make during the first hour
• Real-life claim stories and lessons learned

This episode is part of the Claims series and is designed to help homeowners feel more confident and prepared when the unexpected happens.

Books available from Happy Homeowners Hub and sold on Amazon.com

For more details on these books, check out HappyHomeownersHub.com

Click on the Amazon book links below

The Happy Homeowners Handbook for Navigating Property Claims

The Happy Homeowners Property Claim Documentation Booklet

The Happy Homeowners Handbook for First-Time Homebuyers

The Happy Homeowners Handbook for Selling Your Home by Owner

The Happy Homeowners Home Maintenance Journal

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Thanks for listening to the Happy Homeowners Hub Podcast.

I’m Fred Turner, and my goal is to help homeowners become happy homeowners with no regrets through clear, practical education and real-world experience.

You can find my books, resources, and more homeowner guidance at HappyHomeownersHub.com. You can also sign up for my newsletter, which comes out in March of 2026, by filling out the contact form on my website and putting the word "Newsletter" in the subject line.

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Until next time, take care of your home and yourself.

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