What are proof of ownership and proof of loss in insurance claims?

Key points

• Proof of ownership documents (receipts, bank statements, photos, or registrations) verify that an item belonged to you before it was damaged or stolen.
• Proof of loss is a legal document detailing what was damaged or stolen and the amount claimed, which insurers may require for a claim.
• Insurers may request proof of ownership when filing a claim, so creating and regularly updating a home inventory is recommended.
• A thorough home inventory should list item value, purchase date, receipts, serial numbers or make/model, and can be enhanced with photos or video for easier documentation and retrieval.

Proof of ownership is documentation that proves an item belonged to you before it was damaged or stolen. Documentation can be bank statements, receipts, online registration or photos.

Proof of loss is a legal document that explains what's been damaged or stolen and how much money you're claiming. Your insurer may have you fill one out, depending on the loss.

Homeowners, condo and renters insurance can typically help cover personal property. But to file a claim, you'll need to know which items were stolen or damaged and how much they were worth.

If you need to file an insurance claim, your insurer may ask for a list of items that have been lost or damaged. You might be asked to provide some type of proof that you own these items, like receipts or bills. It may help to think ahead and create an inventory of your belongings and periodically update it.