Honestly, I’ve been there too—had my old 5-series dinged up and the cops just handed me a report number like it was a parking ticket. Insurance barely glanced at it, but they did want every photo I could dig up. It’s annoying, but I agree, having more paperwork than you need is better than scrambling for it later. At least with luxury cars, the repair bills make you want to cover all your bases... even if it means playing detective for a day.
Yeah, I’ve seen people show up with a shoebox full of receipts and random phone pics, and honestly, that’s usually what saves them the headache later. It’s wild how much documentation makes a difference. Ever had an adjuster actually ask for something you didn’t think to keep?
Man, I swear adjusters have a sixth sense for the one thing you didn’t think to save. I once had to dig through my glove box for a coffee-stained oil change receipt because they wanted “maintenance records.” Felt like a scavenger hunt. You’re right though—having a pile of random docs is way better than nothing. It’s a pain, but it pays off.
I once had to dig through my glove box for a coffee-stained oil change receipt because they wanted “maintenance records.” Felt like a scavenger hunt.
Yeah, I get why people think it’s a bit much sometimes. Maintenance records can feel like overkill, especially when you’re just trying to get your car fixed after someone else trashed it. But honestly, it’s not about catching folks out—it’s more about making sure everything lines up if there’s a bigger claim down the line. Seen way too many cases where someone’s car gets totaled and suddenly nobody has any proof it was ever serviced.
That said, I’ll admit, sometimes we do ask for stuff that feels random. Not every adjuster is on the same page, and some are way more by-the-book than others. Personally, I’d rather see a messy pile of receipts than nothing at all. Half the time, we’re just looking for something to check the box.
If you ever get stuck with a weird doc request, just ask why we need it. Sometimes we can work with what you’ve got, or at least explain what’s actually necessary. No one’s trying to make you dig through your car for fun... well, most of us aren’t, anyway.
Half the time, we’re just looking for something to check the box.
That’s honestly what it feels like—like you just need *something* to show you didn’t totally neglect the car. I’ve handed over receipts with coffee stains and even one that had a corner chewed off by my dog (long story). Do you think digital records from oil change places work just as well? Or are they still stuck on paper? I always wonder if it’s worth scanning everything or just shoving it in the glove box and hoping for the best.
