I'll cut straight to the question here.

For the purpose of completing the the Proof of Loss paperwork, I have to provide proof of ownership for any item valued over $500. The problem is that I had some guns taken from me that were very old. They belonged to my grandpas, 60-70 years old at this point, and were worth about $800 each. They are old shotguns so it's not like I had any paperwork on them or anything. I was keeping them as family heirlooms.

One option for proof of ownership is a gift letter. The insurance company actually lists it as "Verbal/Written Verification of Gift". I've seen something like this float around for monetary gifts but does such a thing exist for the transfer of a material possession like a gun? The guns were given to me by my dad back in November. So, is it possible he could draft up some kind of letter validating the gift? It seems too easy and impossible to prevent fraud if that is something that can actually be done.

3/8/2017 11:49:22 AM

Pics or it didn't happen.

3/8/2017 12:15:12 PM

Type up a bill of sale for the guns and either put their value in it or a gift of gun receipt. Ideally, you would also have the serial number for the guns written down somewhere, which would make it easier to confirm if you had to with the ATF or Sherriff's office.

Since I have a gun trust, all of my guns are listed in the trust by name, model and serial number. I would use that as a good starting point.

3/8/2017 1:55:04 PM

Do you have any pictures you can dig up? If they were in the family for that long, hopefully they ended up on film somewhere.

3/8/2017 2:37:49 PM

^This is why probably annually I photograph our rooms. That way if there is a fire or robbery I have a good starting point for equipment.

Plus the expensive stuff (computers, camera gear, electronics) I try to get serials and make a spreadsheet.

3/8/2017 3:30:27 PM

fabricating a bill of sale for an insurance claim has to be pretty illegal, i wouldn't do that

[Edited on March 8, 2017 at 3:39 PM. Reason : .]

3/8/2017 3:39:24 PM

Read your existing insurance policy and any paperwork they've provided since you initiated contact to make sure you're not fucking up.

Don't fabricate anything.

3/8/2017 8:27:37 PM

better check your policy. most basic homeowners policies only cover guns up to a certain dollar limit. i think mine was $1000. i had to schedule out each of my firearms with make, model, serial, etc. and the amount i wanted them covered for, then i pay an extra annual fee for the coverage.

3/8/2017 8:38:52 PM

My policy covers up to 10k in firearms, and 10k in jewelry.
Best just to ask them how they would like you to proceed.

3/8/2017 9:49:06 PM

Thanks everybody. Definitely not trying to do anything illegal but would obviously like to get full value for the guns. I've learned a valuable lesson in documenting valuable personal belongings. We've already started a spreadsheet for all the replacement items.

3/9/2017 10:52:31 AM

Damn. Do you have the serial #. It seems like collectible antique guns would stand a better chance of being eventually recovered if stolen. It is not like a crack dealer is going to be looking to buy 60 year old shot gun. If they ever hit the pawn shop or an honest owner maybe you can get them back if they can get in the database.

3/10/2017 10:38:55 PM