- Exterior lap first. Roof from the ground, ice damage at eaves, siding, foundation cracks, critter entries. Photograph anything suspicious before touching it — fresh damage documents; disturbed damage argues.
- Water on, slowly. Pressurize the system valve by valve, listening at each. A winter split announces itself immediately if you're listening — and floods a crawlspace if you're not.
- Sniff test everything. Musty means moisture found a way in; find it now while it's a repair, not a mold argument.
- Systems shakedown. Water heater, furnace test-run, detector batteries, extinguisher dates, chimney check if the stove ran hard.
- Dock & hoist install. Inspect hardware before it goes in — and confirm they're actually covered; Coverage B defaults don't always reach waterline gear.
- Update the file. New roof over winter? Renting weekends this year? Bought a pontoon? Each changes coverage — one message updates all of it.
Found winter damage? Photos first, mitigation second, then call us before cleanup goes far: (989) 275-5555. Sequence protects the claim.