I’ve actually tried both ways—just tossing everything in a folder and also sorting by repair type (like brakes, electrical, etc). Honestly, the times I needed to show proof, it was way easier to find stuff when I had it organized. But I get what you mean, sometimes it feels like overkill. Some adjusters don’t even look that closely, but the one time they do, you’re glad you have your ducks in a row. Guess it depends how much hassle you wanna avoid down the line.
I hear you on the overkill thing, but I’ve seen claims get delayed just because someone couldn’t dig up a receipt from years ago. Out of curiosity, do you keep digital copies too, or just paper? Sometimes scanning stuff saves me a headache later.
I get the logic behind scanning everything, but honestly, I’ve never gone that far. I’ve got a shoebox full of old receipts and paperwork in the garage—probably not the most organized system, but it’s worked for me so far. I do wonder, though, if insurance companies really care about the original paper or if a photo on your phone would be enough. Has anyone actually had a claim denied because they only had a digital copy?
I’m a bit skeptical about needing both formats. Feels like overkill unless you’re dealing with super rare parts or something. Maybe I’m just old school, but sometimes I think we make things more complicated than they need to be. Still, I get the appeal of having backups... just not sure it’s always necessary.
Honestly, I’ve only ever used photos of receipts for my claims and never had an issue. The insurance folks just want proof you bought the stuff, not the actual paper. Unless you’re restoring a unicorn, I wouldn’t stress too much about it. My glovebox is basically a receipt graveyard anyway...
Photos of receipts have worked for me too, but I’ll admit I get a bit anxious when it comes to insurance claims. Maybe that’s just because my driving record isn’t exactly spotless… let’s just say the adjusters probably see my name and reach for the coffee.
That said, I’ve heard stories where someone tried to claim something big—like a rare part or a full restoration—and the insurer wanted more than just a photo. One guy in my car club had to show bank statements and even some emails from the seller. Felt like overkill, but I guess if you’re talking about thousands of dollars, they want to be sure. Most of the time, though, for “normal” repairs or parts, photos seem to do the trick.
My glovebox is also a disaster zone. Half the time I can’t tell if I’m pulling out an old fast food napkin or a receipt for brake pads. I started snapping pics as soon as I buy anything now—just in case. Cloud storage is your friend, especially if your car ever gets stolen or totaled and you can’t get back to your paperwork.
Still, part of me wonders if there’s some obscure policy fine print about “original documentation.” Insurance companies aren’t exactly known for their generosity if they can help it. Maybe I’m just paranoid after my last fender bender fiasco… but hey, better safe than sorry?
