December’s charm shares space with a gnawing, rain-soaked tension.
As the festive rush builds, insurers push a blunt message: evidence beats memory. A quick photo sweep today can settle arguments tomorrow, trim hiccups in payouts, and spare you hours of back-and-forth when claims teams face a surge in cases.
Why insurers want pictures before the year-end gales
Stormy weeks bring a predictable pattern: heavy rain, gusts, flying debris, and phone lines jammed with claims. When damage mounts, clear images act as proof of condition, proof of care, and proof of ownership. Adjusters can separate fresh damage from wear within seconds if you show the “before”.
One example has done the rounds among claims handlers. In Brittany, a homeowner shot 19 photos of the yard, garage and bikes the afternoon before the wind rose. Overnight, a fence panel tore away. Her insurer validated the facts swiftly, because the album was crisp and date-stamped.
Insurers look for three things: dated images, sharp detail, and a full tour with no gaps. Get that right, and the process speeds up.
These files do more than persuade. They quantify loss, reveal maintenance levels, and show precautionary steps: shutters closed, garden gear stowed, sandbags placed at thresholds. In France, you typically have ten days to declare after an official natural disaster notice. Elsewhere, deadlines vary by contract. In every case, your best evidence gets created before the wind hits.
The 15-minute photo plan that claims teams love
Work outside first, then head indoors, then finish with vehicles. Keep it simple. Use natural light. Avoid digital zoom. Name your album with a clear date.
- House exterior: four angles of the façade and walls
- Roof line as visible from the street, gutters, soffits, downpipes
- Shutters, windows, doors, fences, gates and posts
- Outbuildings: shed, greenhouse, pergola, carport, terrace
- Garden gear: trampoline, parasols, barbecue, furniture (fixed and loose)
- Indoors: one wide shot per room, then 2–3 close-ups of valuables
- Labels and serial numbers: TVs, audio kit, laptops, appliances, instruments
- Three-minute slow video walk-through for context
- Vehicles: four sides, windscreen, roof, bonnet, wheels, dashboard with mileage
- Immediate surroundings for parked cars: nearby trees, cables, lamp posts
Add scale to close-ups: include a tape measure, a coin, or your hand. Photograph receipts, warranties, or order emails beside the item.
Don’t shoot at night unless you must. Wipe the lens. Turn off the flash if it blows highlights. Save to cloud storage or a USB stick, and email the album to yourself for a second copy.
What to capture that people forget
Metadata matters. Most smartphones stamp photos with the date and sometimes location. You can also snap the lock screen clock at the start, or include today’s newspaper in one image. Keep your camera’s timestamp accurate.
Record meters and utilities: electricity, water and gas readings before and after storms help if you dispute a spike or need to show the timing of a cut-out. Freezers are a hidden cost after outages. Photograph the inside while fully stocked and jot down high-value contents if you store medicines or premium foods.
If you work from home, document business kit: printer, monitors, server or NAS, tools and stock. In a block of flats, add shots of the entrance hall, entry door, storage areas, and the roofline as seen from the street. If a leaning tree threatens your fence, capture it now.
Clarity beats beauty. Aim for clean frames, steady pans, and a single folder shared with the person who will make the claim.
Don’t skip dependencies: loft space, cellar, workshop, log store. If flooding is a risk, show potential entry points—air bricks, vents, door thresholds, and window wells. Step outside your boundary too: kerb, drain grates, and gullies. A blocked grid caught on camera the day before can explain a backflow.
Proof of care changes the conversation
Insurers do assess wear and tear. Your photos can show maintenance and “good faith”: trimmed branches, cleaned gutters, clear terrace drains, loose items secured. This evidence helps shape liability and reduce queries about pre-existing defects.
Simple housekeeping also reduces actual damage. Tie down bins and barbecues. Stack chairs. Move pots. Bring in trampolines or secure them. Show the steps you take. The phone in your pocket becomes a quiet witness.
Quick reference table
| Area | What to shoot | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Outside tour | Façade, roof edge, shutters, fences, gates, drains | Separates storm impact from old defects |
| Indoors inventory | Wide room shots, close-ups, serial numbers | Confirms presence and condition of valuables |
| Vehicles | Four sides, plates, windscreen, mileage, surroundings | Documents pre-storm state and nearby hazards |
| Data hygiene | Album name, date, cloud copy, second backup | Prevents file loss or downscaled images |
Timing, naming and storing your evidence
Pick a clear trigger: the first forecast of high winds and heavy rain. Spend 15 minutes on photos and a three-minute video. Name the album “Home condition before storm – DD/MM/YYYY”. Back it up twice. Avoid sending compressed files via messaging apps; their downsizing can strip detail and metadata.
Share the album with your partner or a family member who handles paperwork. Keep printed receipts together. If you no longer hold a receipt, aim for brand, model, and a readable label in-frame. Screenshots of order confirmations help.
Common questions
- Do the images need a visible date? The file date usually suffices; add a clock snapshot at the start if you like.
- Video or stills? Use both. Video for the sweep, stills for crisp detail, labels and serials.
- What resolution works? Your phone’s native setting is fine. Avoid low-quality forwards that compress.
- What about the car? Photograph all four sides, registration plates, windscreen, roof, wheels and the dash with mileage.
- No invoices on hand? Clear photos of the item, brand and model help. Add emails or warranty cards if available.
Extra context you can use when storms hit
Deadlines vary by jurisdiction and policy. In France, a 10-day window begins after an official catastrophe notice. In the UK and Ireland, your policy wording governs timelines, so check the section on “claims and notification”. Phoning the insurer early helps, but send the photo album as your anchor—handlers process documented files faster during peak periods.
Think about knock-on risks as well. A toppled fence can expose pets to roads. A blocked gully can push water into a neighbour’s drive. Photograph neighbouring trees or scaffolding if they loom over your boundary. Record your own preventative steps too. These images support discussions between neighbours and with local authorities if damage crosses property lines.
You can also run a cheap “loss simulation”. Open your freezer and list the top five items by price per kilo. Add medicines or breast milk if relevant. Note an approximate total. Photograph the list next to the freezer. If power fails and spoilage follows, you already hold a baseline to discuss with your insurer.
Finally, think about people who might struggle. Offer a five-minute photo lap for an elderly neighbour: four corners outside, one wide shot in the lounge, and a couple of key belongings. Create a shared family album so evidence doesn’t languish on a lost or broken handset. The habit costs £0 and can remove days of stress when the weather turns spiteful.
