Why insurers ask for proof even after approved repairs

When you finally get repairs finished after a storm, leak, or crash, the last thing you expect is another round of paperwork. Yet insurers routinely ask you to prove that the work was actually done, even when they have already signed off on the claim. Understanding why they do this, and how you can respond without derailing your payout, turns an annoying request into a manageable step in the claims process.

Behind every request for invoices, photos, or certificates is a mix of fraud prevention, contract law, and regulatory pressure. If you know what your insurer is trying to verify, you can gather the right evidence from the start, protect your coverage, and avoid delays when you are counting on that final check.

Why “approved” does not mean “no more questions”

When a claim is approved, what your insurer has really agreed to is a maximum amount it is willing to pay for a covered loss, not a blank check with no strings attached. The company still has to confirm that the money is used to restore the damaged property, whether that is a roof, a kitchen, or a 2018 Honda Civic. Policy language usually gives the insurer the right to inspect repairs, request documentation, or even send an adjuster back out before it releases all of the funds, which is why you can see follow up requests for invoices after the work is complete.

Homeowners who accept a cash settlement often discover this the hard way when an insurer later asks for an invoice or photos before releasing withheld amounts. In one roofing discussion, a policyholder described an insurer asking for an invoice after the work was finished, even though the repair estimate had already been approved, which reflects how common it is for companies to demand proof that the job matched the original scope before paying the balance of the claim after work. You are not being singled out; you are running into a standard control built into most property and auto policies.

How the claims payment structure sets up proof requirements

The way insurers structure payments almost guarantees that you will be asked for documentation at least once after repairs. For property claims, companies frequently start by paying the actual cash value of damaged items, which is the depreciated amount, and then hold back the rest until you show that you repaired or replaced what was lost. Industry guidance explains that when you list damaged belongings, your personal belongings are first valued on a cash value basis, and only after you demonstrate that you bought replacements do you qualify for the remaining replacement cost.

That same logic applies to structural damage. A separate explanation notes that Your personal belongings are initially paid at a depreciated amount, and you only receive the difference once you prove you actually spent the money on repairs or replacements. That structure is designed to prevent you from pocketing the full replacement cost while leaving the damage unaddressed, which would increase the insurer’s risk on the same property in the future.

Recoverable depreciation and why the last check is conditional

Recoverable depreciation is the technical term for the portion of your claim that the insurer withholds until you prove the work is done. If your roof is twenty years old, the company might pay you the depreciated value up front, then promise the remaining amount once you submit invoices or a contractor’s statement. That second payment is not automatic; it is contingent on you showing that you used the first check to repair or replace the damaged property, rather than spending it on something unrelated.

Guidance on depreciation makes this explicit, noting that Your insurance provider may require proof that you repaired or replaced your damaged belongings using the ACV payment before it releases the recoverable depreciation. The same explanation stresses that the ACV amount, often called ACV in policy documents, is intended to start the repair process, not to serve as a final settlement if you leave the damage as is. That is why you will see language tying the last check to receipts, photos, or a contractor’s certification.

Mortgage companies and the extra layer of oversight

If you have a mortgage, your lender has its own stake in making sure repairs are completed, which is why your insurance check may arrive with the bank listed as a co payee. In practice, that means you cannot simply deposit the funds; you have to endorse the check and send it to the mortgage company, which then decides how and when to release the money. Lenders often keep the funds in a restricted account and disburse them in stages as you show that the work is progressing, especially when the damage is significant.

Legal analysis of this process notes that mortgage companies typically request contractor estimates, inspection reports, and other proof to show that you are actively attempting to repair the property. A more detailed breakdown explains that Typically lenders ask for these documents to justify holding or releasing insurance funds, and that they may be constrained by state law on how long they can keep the money. From your perspective, it can feel like double scrutiny, but the lender is protecting its collateral while the insurer protects its claims budget.

Why insurers care who did the work and how

Insurers are not only interested in whether repairs happened, but also in who performed them and whether they meet basic standards. If you decide to handle a major repair yourself, such as rebuilding a deck or rewiring a room, the company may worry that poor workmanship could lead to another claim. Legal guidance for homeowners warns that if you plan to do significant work on your own, you should contact your carrier first, because Your insurance company may have specific requirements about documentation, inspections, or licensed contractors.

That same guidance emphasizes that Insurance companies may require proof of repairs and can even deny parts of a claim if something goes wrong during the repair process and you did not follow their instructions. From the insurer’s perspective, asking for invoices, permits, or photos is a way to document that the work was done safely and in line with building codes. For you, it is a reminder that saving money with do it yourself work can carry insurance trade offs if you cannot show that the result is equivalent to a professional job.

Real world examples: roofs, cars, and cash settlements

In practice, proof of repairs requests show up across different types of claims, from roofs to cars. A homeowner in a roofing forum described finishing storm repairs and then being told by the insurer that it needed an invoice before releasing the final payment, even though the estimate had been approved and the work matched that scope after work. That kind of scenario is common when you choose your own contractor instead of one from the insurer’s preferred network, because the company has less direct visibility into the job and leans more heavily on paperwork.

Auto claims follow a similar pattern. If your 2020 Toyota Camry goes into a body shop after a rear end collision, the insurer might pay the shop directly, but it still wants evidence that the repairs were done correctly. Consumer advice for drivers notes that it is wise to review pictures of your car before and after the work, because those images can provide necessary information if the repair is not done properly or if you decide to sell the vehicle later. The same guidance explains that insurers rely on photos and shop documentation to resolve disputes about whether damage is new or related to the original claim.

Why keeping receipts and photos protects you long after the claim

Proof of repairs is not only about unlocking the last check; it can also protect you from future coverage problems. If you have a prior water damage claim and later apply for a new policy or face another leak, the insurer may ask whether the earlier issue was fully fixed. If you cannot show receipts, contractor invoices, or inspection reports, the company might argue that the new damage is really a continuation of the old problem and limit what it will pay. That is why experts urge you to treat repair paperwork as part of your long term home records, not just a temporary nuisance.

One detailed guide on property claims stresses the importance of keeping proof of repairs after a homeowners claim, including invoices, warranties, and photos of the completed work. The same guidance highlights that you should Maintain Receipts for damaged items and any improvements you have made to your property, because those records can support higher valuations and smoother claims in the future. In other words, the same documents that satisfy today’s adjuster can also help you prove value and condition years from now.

When proof of repairs becomes a condition of coverage

Sometimes, the request for proof is not just about a single claim, but about whether your policy will stay in force at all. If an inspection finds hazards such as outdated wiring, missing handrails, or a deteriorated roof, the insurer may issue a conditional renewal that requires you to fix the problems by a certain deadline. In those cases, you are usually told that you must send photos, contractor invoices, or inspection reports to show that the work is complete, or the company may non renew or cancel the policy.

One Canadian insurer explains that With many providers you will need to provide photo evidence or other proof that repairs have been completed to the insurer’s satisfaction, and that if you ignore required fixes or use the claim money for something else, you may be cancelled. That dynamic is especially visible in regions facing higher weather risks, where companies are tightening underwriting standards and using proof of repairs as a gatekeeper for continued coverage.

Cash settlements, certificates of completion, and what is “normal”

Policyholders are often surprised to learn that even when they negotiate a cash settlement instead of having the insurer manage repairs, the company can still ask for proof that the work was done. In the United Kingdom, loss assessors note that if an insurer authorises a repair estimate, then normally the works will need to take place and the contractor must produce an invoice or other evidence that the repairs have been carried out, such as photographs, before the claim is fully closed have been. That expectation mirrors what many homeowners see in North America when they accept a lump sum and then face follow up questions about how it was used.

Online discussions from New Zealand echo the same pattern. In one widely shared thread, a commenter responded to a homeowner’s frustration by saying Yes, it is normal for insurers to request proof of repairs for a cash settlement, even if it feels intrusive. A more detailed comment in the same conversation explained that However, if you refuse to provide that proof, the insurer might treat the property as not properly maintained and warn that your house policy could be considered invalid. In the United States, some carriers formalise this by requiring a Certificate of completion from a contractor before they release withheld depreciation, which serves as both proof of repairs and a closing document for the claim.

How to prepare your own paper trail from day one

If you treat proof of repairs as a predictable part of the process instead of a surprise, you can set yourself up for fewer disputes and faster payments. Start by asking your adjuster, in writing, exactly what documentation will be needed to release any holdback or recoverable depreciation. Then build a simple file for the claim that includes contractor estimates, signed contracts, permits, inspection reports, and before and after photos. For auto claims, keep copies of body shop work orders and any diagnostic reports, especially if your vehicle has complex electronics or advanced driver assistance systems.

Like Fix It Homestead’s content? Be sure to follow us.

Here’s more from us:

• I made Joanna Gaines’s Friendsgiving casserole and here is what I would keep
• Pump Shotguns That Jam the Moment You Actually Need Them
• The First 5 Things Guests Notice About Your Living Room at Christmas
• What Caliber Works Best for Groundhogs, Armadillos, and Other Digging Pests?
• Rifles worth keeping by the back door on any rural property

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.