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There are comprehensive lists in the archives here and on Claimsmentor. I made my own list for the first storms I did. I had everything I needed and a bunch of stuff I did not need. As time went on, I pared down my list. I travel lighter now. Make your own list from all those you see in the archives. As you survive the first storms, take out the things you didn't use. Nobody can really tell you what will be right for you. Whatever list you decide on, you will adjust. In this business you are always adjusting everything.

I spent a lot of time thinking about my list. I mentally went through the process of travel to a storm and back. I had everything I needed, but the experience. Go ahead and put your list together, but spend as much time as you can reading policy. Know those policies until the words no longer seem like legalese. Don't memorize them, just be comfortable with the words, you'll be reading them often. Know your software. There will be no time to learn on your first storm. Being a contractor is good, but you need to develop consistent workflow of your scope from your initial interview where you ask and answer the right questions to your scope. You will be interrupted. Know how to get back on track without leaving out anything.

This is what you need to take to your first storm:

Stuff (Think it through and write it down)
Money to buy what you break, lose, or find out you need that you didh't know you needed even though you thought of everything.
Policy knowledge and comfort with reading through them.
Scope procedure that includes looking at everything in a set order that is seldom changed. Scope some of those repo houses that are everywhere or tax sale props.
Skill in whatever software you will be using. You have to be good at this before you face the other problems that happens on your first claims.
Determination to do whatever it takes to solve one problem after another. You will be amazed at how overwhelmed you will feel by the third day, but you can get through it if you are determined to do so.

Randy Cox

Thanks so much! I thought there would probably be a list somewhere, I just had not been able to find it. And thank you Randy for the hints on the intangible things you need to take with you. I am doing whatever I need to do, and this gives me some good direction!

ryoungblood, Email me any question you might have that you wouldn't want to ask here. I had a lot of those questions. I asked most of those questions, so I just might have the answer. :-)

Randy

I know there are no dumb questions, but I sure feel dumb after asking some of them, especially the "duh!" ones!

RandyC

One major item needed is at least three months of expense money to live on while you wait for the first check from who you are working for. Some pay very quickly while others drag it out as they do not have a line of credit to pay you with. This has been brought up many times by Ray.

Hail:
Know your company first and what they suppply and then what you have to supply.
Ladder, at least 16', light and easy to use and 28' if you plan on doing 2 story. Will need vehicle to properly transport and have access to these.
Tape Measures, 2, 100' and 35'. Also a laser measurer such as "Disto".
Cougar Paws
GPS device.
Hat, gloves, Pitch measuring device, bungy cord for ladder (for hooking on to gutter)
Good converter matched to your vehicle and computer/printer (SF supplies computer, printer and converter as well as camera)
Good digital camera with device for transfer to computer.
Proper business work attire.
Extra batteries for any of above. Extra ink for printer. Extra paper for printer.
Small ice chest for water and snacks.

This may not be all you need but can be a starter. Have all this ready to go. Make sure you know how to use all of it and that it is all functional.
Last, make your self fit and ready. Practice your computer, scoping skills at home to be ready. Also, get ready physically. Get outside and get used to the heat.