The $33,000 Difference - How Documentation Changed One Homeowner's Hurricane Claim

A Story of Preparation

When Sarah Thompson moved to Florida’s Gulf Coast in early 2023, her neighbors warned her about hurricane preparedness. “Everyone told me about emergency kits and evacuation routes,” Sarah recalls, “but no one mentioned documenting my possessions until my insurance agent recommended InsuraLog.”

The Calm Before the Storm

Sarah spent a weekend in July documenting her three-bedroom home with InsuraLog. “The app made it so simple. I went room by room, taking photos and noting details of everything from my furniture to my electronics. I even documented all my kitchen appliances and stored copies of major purchase receipts.”

Hurricane Helene Strikes

When Hurricane Helene made landfall in September 2024, Sarah’s neighborhood was hit hard. The storm surge flooded her ground floor, and wind damage to the roof led to water damage on the second floor. “It was devastating,” Sarah remembers. “But amid all the chaos, I knew exactly what I had lost.”

The Claims Process: A Tale of Two Outcomes

Sarah’s next-door neighbor, John, faced similar damage. Both filed insurance claims within days of the hurricane. This is where their stories diverge dramatically.

Sarah’s Experience with Documentation:

• Generated comprehensive room-by-room reports from InsuraLog
• Provided pre-disaster photos of all damaged items
• Had purchase receipts for major items stored digitally
• Could prove ownership and condition of items before the disaster
• Total claim process: 3 weeks
• Claim payout: $51,000

John’s Experience Without Documentation:

• Relied on memory to list damaged items
• Had few photos of possessions before the damage
• Could not locate many purchase receipts
• Struggled to prove value of lost items
• Total claim process: 6 months
• Claim payout: $18,000

The $33,000 Difference

“The difference in our claims came down to documentation,” Sarah explains. “I had proof of everything - what I owned, its condition, and its value. John had to fight for every item he claimed.”

Key Lessons

Sarah’s success highlights several crucial points about disaster preparation:

1. Document Before Disaster Strikes

• Don’t wait until a hurricane is approaching
• Take time to thoroughly photograph everything
• Keep digital copies of important receipts

2. Be Thorough and Systematic

• Document room by room
• Include serial numbers for electronics
• Note brand names and models
• Store information securely in the cloud

3. Update Regularly

• Add new purchases as you make them
• Update photos periodically
• Keep receipt copies organized

Preparing for the Future

“After seeing the difference it made in my claim, I’ve become an advocate for proper documentation,” Sarah says. “I tell everyone I meet about the importance of having a detailed home inventory before disaster strikes.”

A Silver Lining

While no one wants to experience a natural disaster, Sarah’s story shows how proper preparation can make recovery much smoother. The $33,000 difference in claim payouts between Sarah and John wasn’t just about money - it was about peace of mind during a stressful time and the ability to recover more quickly.

Start Your Protection Today

Don’t wait for a hurricane warning to think about documenting your possessions. Start your home inventory today with InsuraLog and ensure you’re prepared for whatever nature brings your way.

Sign up for InsuraLog and give yourself the same protection that helped Sarah recover from Hurricane Helene.

Note: Names have been changed to protect privacy. The events described are based on actual customer experiences during Hurricane Helene.