Downloadable Property Damage Report Templates

Clearly describe and document damage to the property using free property damage report templates.

Property Damage Report Template

Download this free template to report the details of damages to property. Record a detailed description of what happened, what caused the damage, and if there were people involved during the incident. Using this report template, you can also do the following:

1. Fill in details about the property, witnesses, and injuries or accidents that happened during the incident.
2. Add notes and attach annotated photos and other files that help you provide more context on the property damage.
3. Before completing the report, include the digital signatures of relevant personnel for verification and acknowledgment.
4. Export it into a property damage report PDF, Excel, or Word file for recordkeeping and store it securely on the cloud.

What is a Property Damage Report?

A property damage report is a formal document that provides a detailed account of the damage sustained by a property. It serves as a comprehensive record of the incident, describing the extent of the damage, the cause or event that led to it, and any other pertinent information related to the incident.

They are essential for assessing the severity of the damage, determining liability, and facilitating the process of repairs, insurance claims, or legal actions.

What is Classified as Property Damage?

Property damage refers to any harm, destruction, or loss incurred by physical assets or property of an organization. It includes damage caused by various factors, such as the following:

• Accidental Damage – vehicle crashes or collisions, falls, fires, water leaks
• Natural Disasters – earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires
• Vandalism – graffiti, broken windows, property destruction
• Theft or Burglary – broken locks, damaged doors, stolen belongings
• Fire Damage – structural damage, burnt belongings, smoke damage
• Water Damage – structural deterioration, mold growth, damaged possessions
• Storm Damage – high winds, hail, fallen trees, damage from flying debris
• Environmental Factors – resulting from environmental factors
• Equipment Failure – caused by equipment malfunctions or failures
• Wear and Tear – leading to structural issues or functional problems

Why Create a Report for Property Damage

As part of property management, noting damages and even early signs of potential damages is crucial to help prevent them from occurring or happening again.

Aside from that, creating a report for property damage is essential for the following reasons:

• Documentation – serves as an official and comprehensive document that records the details of the damage and an accurate account of the incident
• Insurance Claims – provides evidence of the damage, helps determine the value of the claim, and assists in establishing the cause of the damage
• Assessing Liability – helps determine liability for the damage
• Repairs and Restoration – provides a detailed understanding of the damage sustained
• Historical Reference – acts as a historical reference, capturing the property’s condition before and after an incident
• Communication and Transparency – facilitates clear and transparent communication between all parties involved

What Should be Included in a Property Damage Report?

To ensure the accuracy and completeness of your report, it’s helpful to use a property damage report form with organized sections and fields. This way, you can document every key detail, including the following:

• Date and Time of the Damage
• Reporter’s Contact Information
• Property and Property Owner Information
• Description of Damage
• Cause of Damage
• Injury/Accident Report
• Visual Documentation/Evidence
• Witness Information
• Insurance Details
• Repair Costs/Estimates
• Other Relevant Documents (e.g., Police or Incident Report)

How Do You Write a Property Damage Report?

To guide you in writing a property damage report, it’s best to use a report form template. Carefully account for every important detail by following these steps:

1. Include your full name, address, phone number, and email address as the one reporting the property damage. This allows the recipient (e.g., insurance company or law enforcement agency) to quickly contact you for further communication.
2. Specify the date and time when the damage occurred or was discovered.
3. Describe the property, including its address, relevant identifiers (such as apartment number or unit), and any additional details that help identify its location.
4. Provide a clear and detailed description of the damage, including the affected areas, the extent of the damage, and any visible signs of destruction.
5. Explain what caused the damage, whether it was a specific incident (e.g., fire, flood, vandalism) or a gradual occurrence (e.g., water leakage, structural issues). If the cause is unknown, state that it is under investigation.
6. Attach photos or any other visual documentation that captures the damage.
7. If applicable:
   • include the names, contact information, and a summary of observations or statements of witnesses; and
   • provide the details of your insurance policy that will be used during your insurance claim processing.
8. Obtain repair estimates from qualified professionals experienced in addressing the specific type of damage.
9. Attach relevant supporting files (e.g., police reports, incident reports, invoices for temporary repairs, or correspondence with appropriate parties) to provide further context or evidence to support your claim.
10. Sign the report to confirm its authenticity and completeness.

Here’s a look at an accomplished sample report using a damage report form.

Remember to keep a copy of the property damage report for your records and provide the original to the appropriate recipient, such as your insurance company, property manager, or legal advisor, depending on the circumstances.

FAQs About Property Damage Reports

When should you file a property damage report?

It’s highly recommended to create and file property damage reports as soon as possible after the damage has occurred. These should be submitted to the insurance company or relevant authorities, depending on the nature of the incident. This way, prompt investigation and actions can be taken to address the damage.

Do you need to involve the authorities when filing a property damage report?

Some cases, such as accidents, vandalism, or incidents involving criminal activity, may require the involvement of the authorities. To understand such conditions, contact your law enforcement agency to report the incident and obtain an official report to support your property damage claim.

Should you include an estimate of the repair costs in the report?

While it’s not necessary to include them in the report, it can be helpful to attach any repair costs, estimates, or invoices as supporting documents. Including this information provides a clearer understanding of the financial impact of the property damage.

Improve the Process of Property Damage Reporting Using SafetyCulture

Why use SafetyCulture?

Creating and filing property damage reports for financial and legal purposes can be complicated due to the process of collecting evidentiary information. Hence, it’s important to take steps in improving and streamlining the overall process of property damage reporting in your organization.

For this reason, using tools and platforms like SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) toward operational improvement is highly recommended. Utilize the following features and functionalities of SafetyCulture’s app:

• Download and use checklists and templates from the Public Library when inspecting properties and reporting damages across various sites in your organization.
• Create comprehensive property damage reports in various formats, including PDF, Excel, Word, or Weblink, and store them on SafetyCulture’s secure cloud.
• Attach annotated photos and other supporting documentation to provide more context to the damage reported.
• Identify property issues during inspections and assign corrective actions for timely resolution.
• Train your employees and lone workers on maintaining properties and assets in your organization.
• Use the Analytics dashboard to identify recurring property issues and recommend preventive maintenance actions.
• Use Heads Up when sharing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and best practices on property management.

Related Property Damage Report Templates

Equipment or Property Damage Report

Using this free template, report equipment or property damage and attach media documentation to visually describe the incident. Record if there are people involved, to what extent the damage is, and how it occurred.

Incident Report Template

Download and use this free general incident report template to capture photo evidence of the incident and injury and document the signatures of the parties involved. You can also modify this template to suit your site or workplace needs.

Patricia Guevara is a content writer and researcher for SafetyCulture. With her extensive content writing and copywriting experience, she creates high-quality content across a variety of relevant topics. She aims to promote workplace safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement in her articles. She is passionate about communicating how technology can be used to streamline work processes, empowering companies to realize their business goals.

Explore more templates

Equipment or Property Damage Report

Using this free template, report equipment or property damage and attach media documentation to visually describe the incident. Record if there are people involved, to what extent the damage is, and how it occurred.

Incident Report Template

Download and use this free general incident report template to capture photo evidence of the incident and injury and document the signatures of the parties involved. You can also modify this template to suit your site or workplace needs.