How to Record Video
for an Insurance Claim
A clear, steady, well-lit clip is the difference between a claim an adjuster can approve and one that comes back for a re-inspection. Here's how to film damage the right way — and how to check your clip's quality free before you submit.
No login required · Checks clarity, lighting & stability · Private
How do you record video for an insurance claim?
Film the damage steadily and in good light, moving slowly from a wide establishing shot to close-ups of each damaged area while you narrate what you're showing. Keep the camera level, avoid digital zoom, capture the surroundings for context, hold each shot a few seconds, and always keep the original, unedited file for your carrier.
5 tips for claim video an adjuster can actually use
- Steady beats sharp. Hold the phone with both hands or brace against a wall. A steady 1080p clip is worth more than a shaky 4K one.
- Light it well. Film in daylight where you can; indoors, add a lamp or use the phone's light. Dark footage is the #1 reason clips come back.
- Wide, then close. Start with a wide shot that shows the location, then move in for close-ups of each damaged area so there's no doubt what's being shown.
- Narrate as you go. Say the date, the room or area, and what the damage is. It gives the adjuster context and a timeline.
- Keep the original. Don't crop, filter, or trim your only copy. Save the untouched file and share a copy.
What to capture: roof, water & property damage
Roof damage
Wide shot of the roofline, then close-ups of missing shingles, dents, or debris. Film from the ground or a safe ladder height — never risk a fall for a clip.
Water damage
Show the source, then follow the water: ceilings, walls, flooring, and any warping or staining. Add light in dark basements and crawlspaces.
Wind & storm
Capture the overall scene for context, then each affected structure and any fallen trees or displaced materials.
Interior & contents
Pan each room, then close in on damaged furniture, appliances, and belongings. Narrate item names and approximate age where you can.
Is your video good enough? Check it free before you submit
Not sure your clip is clear, steady, and bright enough for an adjuster? Run it through the free Claim-Ready Score — it checks clarity, lighting, and stability in seconds, no login required, and tells you what to fix before you send it to your carrier.
If your only footage is blurry or dark
Sometimes the damage is already repaired, or the clip you have is the only record. If you can't refilm, BetterVideo can sharpen and brighten the footage so existing detail is easier to see — it clarifies what the camera recorded and never invents detail that wasn't captured. Always keep your original, unedited file and submit it alongside any enhanced version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — insurers routinely accept photo and video to document damage, and video is often stronger than stills because it shows context and continuity. There is no universal standard, so the footage still has to be clear enough for an adjuster to see what happened. Check your carrier's claim guidelines and keep the original file.
Clear enough that an adjuster can identify the damage without guessing — in focus, well-lit, steady, and close enough to show detail. Shaky, dark, or heavily compressed clips are the ones that get questioned. You can check clarity, lighting, and stability free with the Claim-Ready Score before you submit.
They can ask for better documentation if footage is too blurry, dark, or shaky to assess, which delays the claim. It is rarely an outright rejection, but it can mean a re-inspection or a request to refilm. Filming clearly the first time — good light, steady, wide-to-close — avoids the back-and-forth.
There is no fixed resolution requirement; 1080p from a modern phone is more than enough if it is steady and well-lit. Prioritize lighting and stability over resolution — a steady, bright 1080p clip beats a shaky 4K one. Narrate what the adjuster is seeing as you film.
First, refilm it if the damage is still accessible — that is always best. If the clip is the only record you have, BetterVideo can sharpen and brighten it to make existing detail easier to see (it cannot add detail the camera never captured), and you should keep and submit the original alongside any enhanced version.
Check your claim video before you file.
Upload a clip and see its clarity, lighting, and stability score in seconds — free, no login.
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