Whatever was damaged — a home, a car, or personal belongings — the documentation logic is the same, and doing it before you file changes how smoothly the claim goes.
Photograph before you clean up or repair
Wide shots for context, close-ups for detail, taken as soon as it's safe to do so and before any temporary or permanent repairs begin. Photos taken after clean-up are far less convincing than ones showing the original state of the damage.
Gather invoices and proof of value
Original purchase invoices are strongest; bank or card statements are a reasonable substitute where they're unavailable. For items without a clear price record, an independent valuation supports a stronger claim than a self-estimated figure.
Establish ownership
Warranty documents, serial numbers, or photos showing the item in regular use all help confirm ownership, particularly for items without a surviving receipt.
Get repair or replacement estimates
Quotes from more than one source, where practical, support a fair valuation and give you a stronger position if the insurer's own assessment comes in lower than expected.
Build a clear timeline
Note the exact date and circumstances of the incident, and any immediate actions taken. A precise timeline makes it easier to demonstrate that damage occurred when and how you say it did, rather than leaving room for the insurer to question the sequence of events.
Sources
Related Kibbo Tools
- Insurance Claim Evidence Checklist — the full evidence checklist across incident types.
- Insurance Damage & Loss Inventory Workbook — itemize damaged or lost property with automatic value totals.