Post-Loss
Post-Loss Documentation
Recovering value when the piece is gone.
If you've lost, had stolen, or damaged a piece that wasn't formally appraised, you can still recover. We assist insurance carriers and claimants with hypothetical valuations of undocumented items — methodology developed under contract with JP Morgan Chase.
Typically 2–4 weeks; faster if you have detailed photographs and prior documentation.
Who it's for
Policyholders filing claims on items that were never formally appraised.
Theft and burglary victims working with insurance adjusters.
Claimants whose pieces were damaged beyond repair and need value reconstruction.
Heirs needing to value items lost decades ago for legacy or estate reasons.
Insurance carriers and adjusters requiring an independent valuation of a contested loss.
What we deliver
Hypothetical valuation methodology
Detailed intake interview to capture every recoverable detail about the piece.
Reconstruction from photographs, receipts, family memory, and any surviving documentation.
Comparable-piece research to anchor the valuation in actual market evidence.
A formal report that explains what's known, what's inferred, and the basis for every value conclusion.
Methodology refined over 50+ years of appraisal practice and developed under contract with JP Morgan Chase.
Working with carriers and adjusters
We work directly with your adjuster when helpful, providing methodology explanations they can defend internally. Our reports are designed to support claims, not to fight them — but they're also defensible if a claim is contested.
Methodology
The challenge in post-loss work is that the piece is gone, so you can't grade what isn't there. We rebuild the description from every available source: photos (especially well-lit ones), original receipts, prior insurance scheduling, social media images, family memory, and where applicable, expert opinion on the piece type and era. Each conclusion in the final report carries its own evidentiary basis — readers can see exactly what we know directly versus what we've inferred and on what grounds. This transparency is what makes the report defensible at claim time and why insurance carriers reference our methodology specifically.
Common questions
Can you appraise something I no longer have?
Yes — that's specifically what post-loss work is. The more documentation (photos, receipts, prior appraisals) you have, the more confident the valuation. We can work with very little when we need to.
Will my carrier accept this?
Yes. The methodology was developed under contract with JP Morgan Chase and is accepted by major insurers. We're often the appraiser the adjuster recommends.
What if the carrier disputes the valuation?
Our reports are designed to be defended. We can also provide expert witness support if a dispute escalates.
Pieces we appraise
Common items for this service
Protect what you value
with an independent appraisal.
For insurance, estates, heirlooms, and fine jewelry, we provide appraisals you can rely on.