Last Updated on September 24, 2026 by Darren Carter.
Dealing with an insurance claim after significant property loss or damage can involve a lot of information at an already difficult time. Knowing what to record, what evidence to retain and what to do after the damage occurs can make the process easier to manage.
In this article, based on insights from Michael Williamson of Independent Loss Adjusters, we look at practical steps that can help you prepare for a property insurance claim and provide useful evidence if a loss occurs.
Keeping useful property records before anything goes wrong can make it easier to identify belongings, provide supporting evidence and find important information after a loss.
Michael’s practical tips include photographing belongings, retaining useful documents and using digital storage so that important records remain accessible if the original paperwork or property is damaged.
Keeping a record of your belongings can be particularly useful after a major loss such as a fire or flood. Consider taking photographs of each room and storing copies somewhere that will remain accessible if your property or devices are damaged.
For higher-value possessions, useful supporting information may include photographs, receipts, invoices, valuations, model details or other evidence of ownership and value. You do not necessarily need every form of evidence for every item, but keeping what is reasonably available can make it easier to explain and support a later claim.
Once damage has occurred, photographs and videos can provide useful evidence of the condition of the property and affected belongings.
Only record damage where it is safe to do so. Do not enter floodwater, unstable rooms, fire-damaged areas or any part of a property where there may be a risk to your safety. If access is restricted, photograph what you can safely see and obtain further evidence later when appropriate.
Images taken on a smartphone can help establish what was damaged and its condition at the time. Where emergency or temporary repairs are necessary, photograph the damage beforehand where possible and keep relevant receipts and invoices.
Maintenance records can be useful where the condition of part of a property becomes relevant to an insurance claim. For example, invoices or photographs from previous roof repairs may help establish when work was completed and the condition of the roof before later damage occurred.
Home insurance is not a maintenance contract, and policies can exclude damage caused by wear and tear or a lack of maintenance. Some policies may also contain particular conditions relating to the property.
However, the effect on an individual claim will depend on the policy wording, the condition involved and whether it is relevant to the loss. A missing maintenance receipt does not automatically mean that an insurer can reject the claim.
Where practical, retain useful invoices, guarantees, contracts and maintenance records in a physical or digital file.
Digital tools can help create and retain useful records during an insurance claim. Depending on the circumstances, ILA may use 360° imaging to document the condition of a property and provide a visual record of affected areas.
Photographs and 360° images do not determine whether a claim is covered, but they can help record the condition and extent of visible damage for later reference.
You can also store copies of insurance documents, photographs, maintenance invoices and other useful records securely in cloud storage or another suitable backup location.
No amount of preparation can guarantee that an insurance claim will be straightforward or accepted. However, useful records can make it easier to explain what was present before the loss, what was damaged and what action was taken afterwards.
If you are making a property insurance claim now, our Property Insurance Claims Process guide explains the main stages you may encounter after reporting the loss.
If a property insurance claim becomes difficult to manage, Independent Loss Adjusters may be able to provide policyholder-side support.
When ILA is appointed, we work for the policyholder rather than the insurer. Depending on the claim, our support can include:
Professional claim support does not guarantee that a claim will be accepted, progress within a particular timescale or result in a higher settlement. The outcome will depend on the policy wording, evidence and circumstances.
Our Insurance Claims Management page explains ILA’s service, scope and applicable fees in more detail.
What Our Clients Say After Working With ILA
When your property claim feels uncertain, it can help to hear from people who have already been through the process. These testimonials show how Independent Loss Adjusters has helped clients deal with insurers, evidence, delays, settlement concerns and the practical steps needed to move a claim forward.
“Mike and his team are an essential if you have to make a claim against your insurance. I have engaged ILA on a number of occasions and they have delivered every time.”
“What can I say about this Company, nothing but AMAZING. We felt like they were our friends, totally on our side. The communication is just fantastic and they just keep going and going to the end.”
“The insurer was being a nightmare and dragged the case on for months, but in the end, with Glenn’s help and guidance, we received the payout needed to rectify the damage. Without Glenn, we would have only received 20% of the actual costs to restore the damage!”
“ILA have been fantastic throughout this process. I would highly recommend them.”
“Michael will do the job to the end he is a professional in his work. Thanks to his team all my problems were solved.”
“We were at the end of our tether with the communication problem with the insurance and their appointed assessor. We contacted ILA and got an independent assessor Glenn Weatherall and his assistant, they couldn't do enough for us."
These testimonials describe individual clients’ experiences. Outcomes depend on the policy wording, evidence and circumstances of each claim.
Michael Williamson discusses contents insurance valuation, replacement cost, underinsurance and claim considerations, helping homeowners understand how household belongings should be recorded and valued.
Michael Williamson explains consumer insurance misrepresentation, how CIDRA applies when answering insurer questions and what policyholders should consider if misrepresentation is raised during a claim.
Michael Williamson and Claire Massey discuss insurance claim delays, repair proposals, communication and settlement concerns, with practical points to help policyholders ask better questions.
Claim rejected, delayed, under investigation or offered a settlement you’re unsure about? Our guide covers what to check next, underinsurance and help with an existing claim.
Explore Common Claim Problems
Understand the difference between insurer-appointed and independent loss adjusters, what each role involves and when independent claim support may be appropriate.
Loss Adjuster Guides
Practical guidance on preparing, documenting and progressing an insurance claim, including what to do when questions, delays or disputes arise.
Making a Claim Guides
Clear explanations of common insurance terms, policy wording and claims terminology to help you understand correspondence, decisions and the claims process.
Insurance Terminology GuidesCLEAR, PROFESSIONAL CLAIM SUPPORT
A difficult claim often involves policy wording, technical evidence, repair costs and several parties. Our Loss Adjusters help policyholders understand the position and approach the next step with clearer information.
ILA is appointed by homeowners, landlords and businesses, not by the insurer handling their claim.
Our team brings experience across insurance claims, loss adjusting, damage assessment and settlement review.
We review the policy, correspondence and available evidence before explaining what appears clear and what may need further work.
Our regulated status supports clear information, appropriate conduct and fair treatment throughout the customer journey.
Independent Loss Adjusters Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for insurance distribution activities.
Tell us what has happened and where the claim currently stands. We will review the initial information and explain whether ILA may be able to help.
Every claim depends on its individual circumstances, supporting evidence and policy wording. No particular outcome can be guaranteed.
PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIMS
Different types of damage bring different questions about evidence, repairs and cover. Choose the claim type below to see how ILA may be able to help.
We can help assess water damage, organise the evidence and present the claim under your policy.
Flood Damage Claim Help
We review the damage, repair scope and reinstatement costs to help you understand the claim position.
Fire Damage Claim Help
We assess the interruption, financial records and policy position when insured damage affects trading.
Business Interruption Help
We review the damage, circumstances and evidence after vandalism or deliberate damage.
Malicious Damage Claim Help
We can assess collision or impact damage and review the repair evidence and settlement position.
Impact damage claim help
We help organise supporting evidence and review the claim position after burglary or theft.
Theft Claim Help
Tell us what happened and where your claim stands. The initial conversation is free and without obligation. We’ll ask a few questions and explain whether ILA may be able to help. You can call us or complete the form; we’ll contact you using the details you provide.
If you choose ongoing support, we’ll explain the service and fee before work begins. Our general fee is 10% plus VAT of the overall settlement. Where you appoint ILA’s recommended contractors for the agreed reinstatement works, our fee is generally covered through that contractor route. The position depends on your claim and the proposed work.
What Happens After You Request a Callback?
When we speak, we’ll ask a few initial questions about the damage, your insurance policy and the current position of your claim.
You don’t need to have every document ready. The first conversation is simply to understand what has happened and whether we may be able to help.
If you’d prefer to speak to us directly, call 0800 002 5178.
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