Do I have to provide receipts to the Insurance company?

Question

So this lady ran into my house (bedroom to be exact) with her car because she passed out while she was driving and I am dealing with her insurance company now. Now that they have accepted liability they asked me to write a very specific list of what was in my bedroom which I just so happened to share with my kids. Well when she ran into my house, she not only ran into the bedroom, but my closet as well and ALL of my clothes (professional work clothes, i.e. business suits) as well as my two children's clothes were in there. Well I don't have receipts for any of that stuff for several reasons, but mainly because I was trying to hide my shopping habits and I paid with cash so that I would be found out by my husband. Well now the insurance company said that it was a pretty extensive list and that all of that totaled out to be over $10,000.

My questions is: Am I REQUIRED to provide receipts to account for my damaged items on the list that I am seeking reimbursement?

Answer 1

Asking for receipts for every single item is not realistic and the insurance company knows this.  If they won't work with you consider putting in a claim with your homeowner's or renters insurance company.  They can then get reimbursed (hopefully in full) from the woman's auto insurance.  Or you can try consulting an attorney but you'l incur somce decent legal fees taking that route.

Answer 2

You should be able to provide the damaged items to be inspected. If you can't do that....you have a problem.

As far as the clothing goes.....some may have been destroyed - a good bit of it should be able to be cleaned.  I'm surprised they did not send out a company to pick the clothing and shoes up and see what can be cleaned and what can't.

$10,000 worth of contents  in a closet?

That sounds a bit excessive. Unless every label in your closet is designer.....I don't blame them for taking a closer look at this.

Don't be surprised when the adjuster calls and says they are coming out to inspect each and every item on your list.

Answer 3

No, but you should be able to provide the DAMAGED ITEMS THEMSELVES, as proof of ownership.  

The receipts are necessary to prove value, but the items themselves are proof of ownership.  

If you don't give the adjuster what they want, you'll have to sue in court, and then you'll have to give the judge proof of value.  So one way or another, you need to prove the VALUE of the items.  Go back to the shops you got them from, see if you can get a notarized statement from someone there (you'll have to pay for it) attesting to the retail value that you probably paid for those items.

And if you can't do it, well, I guess that's the natural consequence of trying to hide things from your other half.

Answer 4

Either provide receipts or provide the damaged items to the claims adjuster as proof of your ownership.  If the items are salvageable by proper cleaning, that is all you can expect from those items.  The items which are damaged should be covered for their costs, but be prepared to provide evidence to the adjuster that these items are actually as costly as you claim them to be.

Answer 5

Nope you are NOT.  Contact your state Insurance board or a lawyer.  They should be able to help you.