No receipts? How to prove what you owned for an insurance claim

Updated October 20, 2026

Few people keep a receipt for everything they own, and a fire or flood can destroy the ones they did keep. When you make a claim, it's up to you to prove your loss, and your insurer can ask for the information it needs to confirm what you owned and what it was worth^[1]. Receipts are one way to do that. Sometimes they're required, but in other cases a written inventory or photographs are enough^[2], so ask your insurer exactly which documents it needs^[3].

Start with photos and videos

• Photos or video taken before the loss may help you document your claim^[1]. Photographs are especially helpful when an item is hard to describe, or when you can't get a receipt^[4].
• Look through your phone for pictures taken in your home that show your things in the background^[5].
• Ask family and friends for photos taken inside your home. They can help you remember, and serve as proof for your insurer^[6].

Records that can stand in for receipts

• Card and bank statements. If you paid by credit or debit card, your card company or bank can send past statements^[5], which show what you bought and the price you paid^[7].
• Store records. Stores where you often shop may have records of your purchases through a rewards program or a store credit card^[7].
• The receipts and appraisals you do have, with makes, models and purchase dates where you know them^[8].
• Other people's descriptions. Descriptions from family, friends and neighbors who saw your things can support your own^[6].

Show what it would cost to replace

• Find the same or a similar item from an online retailer to estimate its cost^[9].
• Keep a record of each price: type the web address into your list, or print the page showing the item's description, picture and price^[7].

How the value is worked out depends on your policy: see replacement cost vs. actual cash value.

If there's nothing to go on

Work from memory^[9]. Sketching each room can help you remember what was in it^[5]. There are more ways to jog your memory in after a house fire: how to list what you lost.

While your claim is open

• Tell your insurer promptly. The time you have to report a claim varies by state^[9], and your policy sets time limits for other steps too^[1].
• Fill in any proof-of-loss form promptly if your insurer asks for one^[1]. In Texas, it may need to be signed and notarized^[10].
• Keep damaged items, and photograph them, until your insurer has inspected them or tells you that you can throw them away^[1][8].
• After a theft or vandalism, report it to the police and give them a copy of your list of what was stolen^[1]. Keep a copy of the police report to file with your claim^[8].
• Keep the receipts for what you buy to replace things. To get full payment, you may need to show your insurer that you replaced what was destroyed^[10].
• After a flood, a National Flood Insurance Program policy has its own steps: keep samples of damaged carpet or flooring to show your adjuster, and send your documents within 60 days of the flood, or within the time your adjuster or insurer gives you^[11].
• If your insurer denies all or part of your claim, ask it to explain why in a letter^[1]. If you think it's wrong, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance department^[6].

Make it easier next time

An inventory made before anything happens will help you prove the value of what you owned, which could speed up your claim. Keep a copy away from home, such as with a trusted relative or friend^[12]. See how to record a video home inventory.

How ii360 helps

If you have videos filmed inside your home before the loss, ii360 can list the items it sees in them, each with a photo from the video and an estimated replacement cost, which you can then edit and add to. And for next time, record a short video of each room: ii360 turns it into an itemized inventory, with room for each item's brand, model, serial number and notes. It's stored online, away from your home, and you can download a PDF report whenever you need one.