Shipping Damage Photo Requirements
Look for this label
Stop before you open the box
Many ERVP packages include a warning label like this on the outside of the box. If you see it, take photos before opening. Those exterior photos help protect your shipping-insurance claim if concealed damage is found inside.
Last updated: June 9, 2026
Most Elkhart RV Parts shipments are shipped with package insurance. That insurance is there to help protect you if a carrier damages a package in transit — but the insurance carrier requires clear proof of the package condition before it was opened.
Before opening any delivered package, especially large, heavy, fragile, appliance, freight, or high-value parts, you must photograph the outside of the package. These photos are required even if the box looks fine at first glance.
What to do before opening your package
- Do not open the package yet.
- Take clear photos of every outside side of the package. Photograph the top, bottom, front, back, left side, and right side.
- Take at least two angles of each side. Make sure corners, edges, labels, punctures, dents, compression marks, wet spots, crushed areas, and tape seams are visible.
- Photograph the shipping label and any warning labels.
- Keep all packaging materials. Do not throw away the box, foam, pallet, straps, labels, or packing materials until the issue is resolved.
- Then open and inspect the item. If you find damage, photograph the item and the inside packaging before moving or installing it.
Why these photos are required
Shipping-insurance claims are decided from evidence. The claim administrator needs to see the package condition at delivery so they can determine whether the damage happened while the carrier had the package.
If the package is opened first and exterior-package photos were not taken, the insurance carrier may deny the claim because the delivery condition can no longer be documented.
If you do not take delivery photos before opening
If required exterior-package photos are missing, insurance coverage for shipping damage may be denied or unavailable. Elkhart RV Parts may still review the situation case by case and may still attempt to help with a claim when possible, but we cannot guarantee approval, replacement, refund, or reimbursement when the required delivery-condition evidence was not collected.
Opening the package without first taking the required delivery photos may forfeit shipping-insurance claim eligibility for concealed or discovered damage.
If you find damage
- Stop unpacking as soon as damage is discovered.
- Take photos of the damaged item.
- Take photos of the interior packaging and how the item was packed.
- Keep the item and all packaging materials.
- Contact Elkhart RV Parts promptly by replying to your order or shipping email, or through the support options on our website.
Photo checklist
- All six outside sides of the package
- Two angles per side when possible
- Close-ups of dents, tears, punctures, crushed corners, wet areas, or compression marks
- Shipping label and tracking barcode
- Warning labels or inspection labels on the package
- Inside packaging before it is discarded
- Damaged item photos from multiple angles
Important reminder
Carrier damage can be concealed. A box can look acceptable on one side and still show impact, compression, puncture, or handling marks elsewhere. Taking photos before opening takes less than a minute and gives you the evidence needed if a claim becomes necessary.
We know this extra step can feel inconvenient, but it protects you. Without those photos, the insurance carrier may treat the shipment as undocumented after delivery, which can make a claim very difficult or impossible to approve.