After the Storm: How to Speed Up Your Insurance Claim with Better Evidence

The hours after a severe storm can be overwhelming. Fallen trees, water damage, and power outages leave homeowners scrambling.

But one of the biggest challenges comes later: proving what was lost. This is the key to being able to speed up your insurance claim.

Why Claims Stall

Allianz (2025) reports that missing documentation and incomplete inventories cause over 45% of delayed claims after major storms.

Without receipts, serial numbers, or pre-loss photos, assessors can’t verify ownership or value, making it harder to speed up your insurance claim.

Building a Stronger Claim

1. Document damage immediately: take photos and videos before cleanup.
2. List each item with approximate value and date purchased.
3. Keep receipts, valuations, and warranties in one secure location.
4. Note conversations with insurers (dates, names, reference numbers).

What Insurers Look For First

Assessors prioritise three things: proof the item existed, proof it was damaged, and a realistic value. Claims with organised evidence move to the front of the queue. Claims lacking documentation are more likely to be delayed, reduced, or disputed entirely.

How myVal Simplifies the Process

With myVal, homeowners can:

• Create a digital home inventory long before disaster strikes.
• Store proof of ownership safely in the cloud.
• Export insurer-ready claim reports in minutes.

Evidence is power — and preparation is the fastest path to recovery.

References

Allianz Australia. (2025). Claims performance and consumer delay report.

Insurance Council of Australia. (2025). Post-disaster recovery statistics: Storms and floods.

NSW SES. (2024). Storm damage recovery guide.