Why receipts matter, and how to prove ownership after a loss
The difference between a paid claim and a rejected one is usually proof. Here is what to keep, and how.
When you file a claim, the underwriter asks a simple question: can you show the item existed, that it was yours, and what it was worth? Proof is what answers it.
What counts as proof
- Receipts and invoices, the strongest evidence of value and date
- Photographs of the item, ideally showing a serial number or IMEI
- Serial, IMEI or chassis numbers, which tie a claim to a specific item
- Professional valuations for jewellery, art and specialist gear
- A police report for any theft
Why it decides claims
Two people can suffer the same theft. The one who logged a receipt and a photo gets paid quickly; the one with nothing spends weeks arguing about whether the item existed and what it was worth, and often settles for less.
Build the habit
The best time to record proof is the day you acquire something, not the day after it is stolen. In VaultCova you can snap a photo and attach the receipt to each asset as you log it, so the evidence is already in place if you ever need it. Cova even reads the receipt for you and notes what it saw.
Store it where a fire cannot reach it
Paper receipts burn with the house. A copy in your vault is off-site by default, which is exactly where your proof should be.
