My apartment suffered smoke damage. I sent the adjuster a PDF export of my StockX portfolio showing a total value of $42,000. The adjuster replied: “This is a list of internet asking prices, not a proof of ownership or value.” He then offered to use the “Depreciated Cost” based on MSRP. I realized that my fancy app portfolio was legally useless.
Key Takeaways
- Possession vs. Value: An app screenshot proves the price of a shoe, but it doesn’t prove you own the shoe. Anyone can add “Red Octobers” to their StockX portfolio.
- “Asking” vs. “Sold”: Adjusters care about “Sold” data. A StockX “Ask” of $10,000 means nothing if the last sale was $6,000.
- Date Stamps Matter: You need photos of the shoes in your house with a date reference (like a newspaper or phone screen) to link the digital portfolio to physical reality.
- Spreadsheet is Better: A manual Excel sheet with “Date Purchased,” “Purchase Price,” and “Condition” is often taken more seriously than a generic app screenshot.
The “Why” (The Trap): The Evidence Standard
In 2026, AI claims processing is standard.
- What works: Purchase receipts, bank statements, photos of the item in your home.
- What fails: StockX Portfolio, Goat “Wants” list, generic internet photos.
The adjuster needs to verify Ownership + Condition + Current Value. The StockX app only provides Estimated Value. It fails the first two tests.
The Investigation (I Called Them)
I asked adjusters what format they accept for a 100-pair claim.
1. The Lazy Way (App Export)
- Reaction: “We can use this as a guide for pricing, but we need proof you actually had these items.”
- Outcome: They will ask for photos of every pair. If you don’t have them (because they burned), they might deny 50% of the list as “unverified.”
2. The Pro Way (The “Binder”)
- Method: A Google Drive folder containing:
- The StockX Portfolio export (for pricing).
- A folder of photos labeled by shoe name.
- PDFs of email receipts.
- Reaction: “This is perfect. We can process this in 48 hours.”
- Outcome: Full payout.
3. Wax / Specialized Apps
- Method: Wax has a built-in collection manager where you upload photos when you buy the policy.
- Reaction: Since the carrier already has the photos, the claim is instant.
- Outcome: The gold standard.
Comparison Table
| Evidence Type | Proof of Ownership | Proof of Value | Adjuster Acceptance |
| StockX App Export | Zero | High | Low (Needs backup) |
| Excel + Receipts | High | Medium | High |
| Video Walkthrough | Very High | N/A | High (For existence) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
Don’t wait for the fire.
- The “Sunday Scan”: Once a month, take a slow 4K video of your shelves. Open the expensive boxes.
- Export the Data: Export your StockX/Dragon/Goat portfolio to CSV (Excel).
- Merge Data: Add a column to that CSV called “Proof.” Paste a link to the receipt or the photo of that specific shoe in your Google Drive.
- Email it to Yourself: Subject line: “Sneaker Inventory – [Date].” This creates a time-stamped record that holds up in court.
FAQ
Q: I bought cash locally. No receipt. What now?
A: Bank Withdrawal Record. Find the bank statement showing “$400 Withdrawal” on the day of the release. Match it with a photo of the shoe. It’s circumstantial, but better than nothing.
Q: Does the adjuster use “Lowest Ask” or “Last Sale”?
A: Usually “Replacement Cost.” This means what it would cost to buy it now. This is usually the “Lowest Ask” + Shipping + Taxes. You must fight for the tax/shipping inclusion!
[IMAGE: Split screen: Left side shows a StockX Portfolio total. Right side shows an Adjuster’s “Depreciation Calculation” spreadsheet with much lower numbers.]