What a proof of loss is

The short answer

A proof of loss is a formal statement a policyholder gives their insurer about a loss: what happened, when it happened, and the amount being claimed. It is often a specific form, and it usually has to be signed. Some insurers ask for the signature to be notarized.

Not every claim involves one. Your insurer will tell you if they need it, often in a letter that also gives a date.

What it usually includes

• Your policy number and claim number.
• The date and cause of the loss, as you understand them.
• The amount you are claiming.
• Supporting documents, such as your inventory, estimates, and receipts.
• Your signature, and the date you signed.

The exact contents differ by insurer and by policy. Use the form and instructions your insurer gives you.

When it is due

Timeframes are set by your policy and by your insurer, and they differ from one policy and one place to another. Do not rely on a general rule you read somewhere, including here.

Check your policy and any letters from your insurer. If the date is unclear, ask your insurer to confirm it in writing. Once you have it, write it down where you will see it every day.

How it connects to your records

The figures in a proof of loss usually rest on the documents behind them. A complete inventory, organized receipts, and any repair estimates make the form easier to fill in and easier to check.

If you are asked for a proof of loss before you have all your numbers, ask your insurer how they want you to handle it.

Before you sign

• Read the whole form, including anything in small print.
• Check that every figure matches your own records.
• Keep a copy of exactly what you send, with every attachment.
• Record when you sent it and by what route: mail, email, or an upload.

If you have questions about what to claim or what the form means, ask your insurer or a licensed professional before you sign.

Where Radby fits

Radby keeps the due date you enter in the deadline tracker, reminds you on the schedule you set, and holds the records you attach in one file you can export. It does not fill in, review, or send a proof of loss.