What documents and policy details should I prepare for my free inspection?
LA CONSULTING
Original Content
When you schedule a free inspection with LA Consulting, having the right documents and policy details ready can make the process smoother and more effective. While we handle the heavy lifting of evaluating your damages and interpreting your coverage, providing certain items up front allows us to hit the ground running. The more complete your documentation, the stronger the foundation for your claim. Preparing in advance helps ensure that no coverage opportunities are missed and that we can start protecting your interests immediately.
Your insurance policy and declarations page
The most important document to have ready is your insurance policy, particularly the declarations page. This section summarizes your coverages, limits, deductibles, and endorsements. By reviewing this page, we can quickly determine what protections apply to your situation and what exclusions might come into play. Having the full policy on hand is also useful, as it allows us to examine the fine print that insurers often rely on to deny or reduce claims.
Proof of ownership and prior condition
If possible, gather receipts, invoices, or records that show proof of ownership for valuable items that may be damaged. Photographs or maintenance records showing the condition of your property before the loss can also be extremely helpful. These documents allow us to counter any arguments from the insurer that the damage was due to neglect or pre-existing issues. Even if you do not have perfect records, providing whatever you can helps us build a stronger case.
Bank statements, warranties, and service records can also serve as proof of purchase and condition for high-value items like appliances, electronics, or roofing materials.
Damage documentation
If you have already taken photos or videos of the damage, bring them to the inspection. While we will perform a comprehensive inspection ourselves, your documentation provides valuable context, especially if conditions have changed since the loss occurred. For example, temporary repairs, weather changes, or safety concerns may alter the appearance of the damage. Your early photos help establish a clear timeline and support your version of events.
We also encourage clients to save receipts for any emergency repairs or mitigation work, such as tarping a roof or drying out water damage. These costs are often reimbursable under your policy.
Financial and living expense records
If the damage has forced you out of your home or disrupted your business, collect receipts for hotel stays, rental properties, meals, and transportation. These fall under additional living expense (ALE) or business interruption coverage. Having this information available during the inspection allows us to immediately account for these losses and include them in your claim.
For commercial properties, financial statements showing lost income can be invaluable in establishing the full scope of business interruption claims.
The bottom line
For your free inspection with LA Consulting, prepare your insurance policy, declarations page, proof of ownership, damage photos, receipts for emergency repairs, and records of living or business expenses. These documents help us create a strong, well-documented claim that insurers cannot easily dispute. While we will guide you through the process and conduct our own thorough inspection, bringing these details ensures we can maximize your claim from day one.
