Claim Evidence Checklist
Use this evidence checklist before treating an Ohio insurance company estimate as final. A stronger file makes it easier to identify missing scope, carrier dispute positions, repairability issues, matching issues, and appraisal-ready amount-of-loss disputes.
The evidence needed for a fire claim is not the same as a wind, hail, roof, siding, or appraisal dispute. Organize the file by the problem the carrier is actually disputing.
Save fire department records, cause and origin notes, emergency service invoices, smoke and soot photos, odor notes, mitigation records, contents inventories, storage invoices, rebuild estimates, and additional living expense records.
Review fire claim helpDocument storm date information, lifted or creased shingles, missing tabs, ridge or edge damage, siding displacement, fascia, gutters, storm-created openings, interior leaks, contractor findings, and carrier wear-and-tear language.
Review wind claim helpPhotograph roof impacts, siding cracks, soft metals, gutters, downspouts, vents, window wraps, screens, garage doors, collateral damage, test areas, cosmetic-damage comments, and below-deductible estimate language.
Review hail claim helpCompare the carrier scope against each roof slope, siding elevation, gutter run, window wrap, discontinued material note, matching issue, repairability concern, interior leak, and contractor estimate.
Review roof and siding helpWhen coverage is accepted but the value is disputed, organize the policy appraisal language, carrier estimate, contractor estimate, invoices, photos, mitigation records, disputed line items, pricing support, matching notes, and repairability documentation.
Review appraisal helpWhen the carrier estimate is too low, save payment letters, deductible math, depreciation, omitted scope notes, contractor estimates, photos, reports, invoices, and communication timelines.
Review underpaid claim helpEvidence Organization
Step 1
Put the policy, declarations page, claim number, date of loss, carrier estimate, payment letters, denial letters, photos, videos, invoices, reports, and contractor estimates in one place.
Step 2
Separate fire and smoke evidence from wind evidence, hail evidence, roof and siding evidence, water intrusion evidence, contents records, and appraisal-related valuation documents.
Step 3
Mark missing rooms, roof slopes, siding elevations, smoke spread, contents, cleanup, mitigation, labor, materials, code items, matching, overhead, depreciation, and pricing gaps.
Step 4
A denial, exclusion, or causation dispute is different from a claim where coverage is accepted but scope, pricing, matching, repairability, or amount of loss remains disputed.
Step 5
Before signing a release, closing the claim, or accepting a low number, have the file reviewed for missing evidence, missing scope, and appraisal-fit issues.
Evidence FAQs
