The photos you submit with your initial claim won't drive the final repair amount. That comes from professional LED line-board inspection at the shop, which we do for free. But good first-submission photos do two important things: get your claim opened faster, and document the condition of the vehicle before repair in case anything goes sideways with the adjuster.
The five-minute phone documentation protocol
Park where early-morning or late-afternoon sun hits the vehicle at a low angle. Shadows reveal dents; bright overhead light hides them. If you can't catch that light, pull into a garage and use a bright worklight positioned low — it mimics the shadow-casting angle.
Shoot in this order, 8-15 photos total:
- Four wide shots — one of each side of the vehicle, shot from roughly 8-10 feet back. These go first in the photo set and give the adjuster orientation.
- Two or three overhead/angled shots — hood, roof, trunk. Get as much elevation as you can manage. A second-floor window, a stepladder, or even standing on the bumper of a neighboring truck works. Hood and roof are where dents cluster.
- Four to six close-ups — zoom in on the visible dents. Pick the worst areas and the most obvious damage rather than trying to photograph every single dent. Quality over quantity.
What the adjuster is looking for
Three things: that damage exists, what its general pattern looks like, and whether anything looks like pre-existing damage. Your photos don't need to justify a specific dollar amount — that's what the shop's estimate is for. Your photos just open the claim and give the adjuster context.
What NOT to photograph
Don't photograph every individual dent. You'll drive yourself crazy and produce 100 photos the adjuster won't look at. The system is designed around a small photo set that triggers an adjuster inspection. Overloading it backfires.
Don't photograph the interior unless it's visible damage. Hail claims are about body panels. Interior photos only matter if a window is broken or headliner is affected.
Include a dime for scale on one or two photos
Optional but helpful. Place a dime or quarter next to a visible dent in one or two close-up photos. Gives the adjuster instant scale without needing to ask. Not required — most claims process fine without it.
Submit through your insurer's preferred channel
Most carriers have an app upload. Use it — it's faster than email, and it automatically tags the claim number. State Farm's app, GEICO's app, Progressive's app, and USAA's app all handle this smoothly. For American Family or Shelter, often better to email photos to your local agent.
What happens next
Adjuster reviews your photos, usually within 24-48 hours. They'll either schedule an in-person inspection or generate a photo-based estimate. That first estimate will undercount the damage by 20-40%. Don't worry — that's what the supplement process is for. When you bring the car to our shop, we re-document under line boards, write the supplement, and get it approved.
Start your claim with us and we'll coordinate every step after the FNOL.