In the case of theft, a photograph, for example, is not proof of the value of the property. It should be remembered that it is the responsibility of the person claiming compensation from the insurance company to provide proof not only of the value, but also of the ownership and existence of the stolen property.
In practice, it is often difficult to find all the purchase invoices.
Some people are then tempted to fabricate false documents or add objects to the documents they already have, hoping to easily compensate for the loss (they think).
We systematically request original invoices; those issued by luxury establishments, for example, have an easily identifiable paper and logo and all the legal mentions appear on the document.
In this regard, we invite you to read the latest practical information sheet issued by the Direction de l'information légale et administrative (Prime Minister) on August 1, 2018 on the legal mentions of an invoice.
For example, we will reject handwritten invoices from a booklet that is not numbered in accordance with the regulations, or invoices for large cash payments.
Indeed, since October 2015, the amount of bill payments with merchants is capped at €1,000 ( legifrance website . )
For jewelry and watches in particular, in the absence of an invoice, the question of valuation is more difficult.
The photograph taken in a real life situation allows to visualize the watch or the jewel in a superficial way. Even if the model seems familiar, the photograph is not precise enough in the characteristics such as the weight or the quality of the stones.
If we can recognize the face of the insured (sometimes 20 or 30 years later), it is not possible on the other hand to certify that it is a diamond or an imitation stone.
It will then be necessary to expect an evaluation corresponding to a "fancy" or gold-plated jewel, according to an "appearance value", far from that expected in general, causing disappointment for some and a desire there again to compensate by other means.
Close-up photographs (macro) can be useful in showing the punches for example if they are accompanied by a description made by a professional such as preliminary estimates.
After several moves or other life events, some documents get lost. With time, the stores have disappeared. It is necessary to proceed to more distant research to find the trace of the purchases.
Sometimes, the certificate of guarantee can remain at the bottom of the original case which will allow an evaluation thanks to the description of the object (weight, metals, stones...). The Expert will be able to find the price of a new good of equivalent nature and characteristics on the day of the disaster.
In summary, the acceptable documents are those that clearly identify the seller and describe the object in a way (model reference).
A system of storing receipts on the cloud or blockchain is now possible, but this innovative system has not yet proved its worth as a guarantee of the value of the goods. For valuable goods, a prior expertise by a professional will always be useful. Keep everything!
