House burned to the ground; insurance Q

So, a friend’s grandmother recently died..6 months later, her house burns to the ground (it was investigated by this particular insurance company, no foul play, old wiring caused the fire).

The insurance policy was still in effect and the benefits go to her daughter. Well, the contents portion of the policy was for up to $160,000.

The daughter wrote her list of contents (came out to $210,000 for everything), put the average age of everything (for depreciation purposes), along with a listing of an item similar to price and look along with whatever else was needed.

The answer she got back was: “ok, for some of these things (expensive ones), we need documentation.” The amount we’d give you, today, with no documentation is $62,000.

$210,000 (original list)
$160,000 (content maximum)
Depreciation: ?
We’ll give you $62,000

-where did $148,000 disappear to?

Keep in mind, these items are ranging from years old to only a couple of years old. Furniture, blinds, computers, rugs, etc. There are no receipts, the house BURNED TO THE GROUND. She had a boyfriend (dead as well) towards the end of her life, a rich one, he bought her everything under the sun.

The question I have for the OT: what do you do? Do you just accept the lowball offer of 62k or do you go on a rampage? It’s your word against his, right? Lawsuit?

I’ve heard that these insurance companies can have “in-house” numbers that they want “documentation” for..is this true? That ain’t fair if it isn’t in the policy.

It’s almost like these guys are trying to say “you’re lying if you don’t have documentation.”

She’s dead. The stuff was in the house. It burned to the ground.

Tell me what your next move is.

Thanks fellas