Start a room-by-room inventory with descriptions, approximate ages and current replacement costs, using photos, purchase records and other available evidence. Missing receipts do not make documentation impossible, but the insurer may request more proof and payment still depends on your policy’s limits and valuation terms.
Have an estimate, denial or repair bill you want reviewed? Contact GB Claims at 845-456-6699.
The inventory is the claim
Contents claims live or die on the inventory. Go room by room and list every damaged or destroyed item: what it was, roughly when and where you bought it, what it cost then and what it costs to replace now. It is slow work, but an organized list is what turns a memory into a payable claim.
Proof beyond receipts
- Photos and videos: of the damage, and older photos showing items in your home.
- Bank and credit card statements showing purchases.
- Order confirmations and warranty emails.
- Manuals, boxes or serial numbers for electronics and appliances.
- Statements from family members who knew the home.
Know how your policy pays
Policies pay belongings at replacement cost or actual cash value, and special limits often apply to categories like jewelry, cash and collectibles. The valuation method and limits change what the same inventory is worth, so read those terms before pricing the list.
FAQ
Can photos help prove what I owned?
Yes. Older photos showing items in place are accepted evidence in most contents claims. Combine them with statements and any purchase records you can recover.
Should I list damaged items before disposal?
Yes. Photograph and list items before throwing anything out when it is practical and safe. Once items are gone, the inventory and photos are all that remain.
Next step
If you are facing a contents list after a fire, call us. We build these inventories for a living. 845-456-6699. More on fire claims: https://gbclaims.com/fire-damage-public-adjuster/
Have an estimate, denial or repair bill you want reviewed? Contact GB Claims at 845-456-6699 or Claims@GBclaims.com. We’re open 24 hours Sunday through Friday and closed Saturday.
GB Claims LLC is a licensed public adjuster serving New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Sources
This page is general educational information, not legal advice or a determination of coverage under your policy. Your policy and state rules control.
Reviewed by the GB Claims claims team, licensed public adjusters in NY, NJ, PA, CT. Last reviewed: October 8, 2026.