My car burned to the ground. Total loss. I told the adjuster about the $3,000 turbo, the $2,000 seats, and the $1,500 ECU. He said, “Do you have proof?” I had no receipts (bought cash/used) and no recent photos of the interior. I got paid for a stock car.
Key Takeaways
- Burden of Proof: You must prove the loss. If the car is ash, you can’t prove what seats were in it without photos.
- The “Walkaround” Video: Once a year, take a 2-minute video walking around and inside the car. Open the hood. Open the trunk. Zoom in on mods. Upload it to the cloud.
- Metadata Matters: Digital photos have dates. A photo from 2021 doesn’t prove the part was there in 2026. You need recent proof.
- Spreadsheet: Maintain a Google Sheet with Part Name, Date Acquired, and Estimated Value. Share it with your agent before the loss.
The “Why” (The Trap): Post-Loss Speculation
Adjusters are trained to be skeptical. Everyone claims they had a “brand new engine” in their burnt car.
Without evidence, they default to the VIN decode: Stock.
Receipts are great, but Photos are undeniable proof of condition and installation.
[IMAGE: Screenshot of a Google Drive folder named “Car Insurance Proof” containing videos and PDFs]
The Investigation: I Called Them
What proof do they accept?
1. State Farm
- Standard: Receipts preferred.
- Alternative: “Clear, dated photographs showing the equipment installed on the vehicle.”
2. Hagerty
- Standard: They ask for photos when you buy the policy.
- Advice: “Update us if you change things. If we have the photo on file, there is no argument.”
3. Independent Appraiser
- Advice: “I can’t appraise a pile of ash. I need to see the quality of the build. A video is worth $10,000 in a total loss negotiation.”
Comparison Table
| Evidence Type | Strength | Effort |
| Memory / Word | Weak (Denied) | None |
| Credit Card Statement | Medium | High (Digging) |
| Itemized Receipt | Strong | High (Filing) |
| Dated Video/Photo | Very Strong | Low (5 mins) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Do It Now: Stop reading. Go to your car. Take a video. Narrate it: “Here are the Recaro seats, here is the Haltech ECU…”
- Upload to Cloud: Don’t keep it on your phone (which might burn in the fire/crash). Google Drive / iCloud.
- Email Your Agent: Send the photos to your agent. “Just for your file.” This creates a timestamped record that they received the info.
- Photograph Part Numbers: When installing parts, take a photo of the part number stamped on the metal. It proves it’s a Garrett Turbo, not an eBay clone.
FAQ Section
Does social media count?
Yes! Instagram posts are dated. I have seen claims paid because the owner showed an Instagram post from the car show 2 weeks prior showing the new wheels.
What if I don’t have receipts for used parts?
Use “Comparable Listings.” Find the same part used on eBay and print the listing to establish market value.
Can I claim my own labor?
No, but you can claim the value of a finished car (which includes labor) if you have an Agreed Value policy.