Binding coverage shouldn’t be a guessing game.
When you apply for home insurance, your carrier needs to see what they are insuring. They want proof of the roof’s condition, the backyard layout, and the property’s overall state.
But submitting the wrong photos, or the wrong type, means delays. It means back-and-forth emails. It means waiting longer for your policy to bind.
Here is exactly what you need to photograph to get your coverage approved on the first try.
The Golden Rules of Insurance Photos
Before you start, keep three rules in mind.
Use your cellphone. Carriers require the built-in timestamp metadata embedded in smartphone photos to verify when the image was taken.
Keep it recent. All photos must be taken within the last 14 days of submitting your application.
No internet photos. Images sourced from Zillow, Redfin, or Google Street View are not accepted.
Required Exterior Photos
Walk around your property and capture each of the following angles.
Front of Home
Stand back far enough to get the entire front facade in one frame. The address numbers must be clearly visible. If they are hidden behind a tree or located on a separate mailbox, take a second photo showing just the address with the home in the background.
Back of Home
Walk to the rear of the property and capture a clear, complete view of the back exterior.
Full Backyard
Stand inside the home and photograph the backyard looking outward. This gives the carrier a sense of the layout and any features – pools, trampolines, or fencing – that affect the risk profile.
Home Sides
Photograph all four sides of the house. Carriers need a full exterior perspective to assess the condition of the siding, windows, and foundation.
Roof
Take the clearest photo of the roof possible from street level. You do not need to climb. Step back far enough to show the shingles, gutters, and roofline clearly.
Additional Structures and High-Value Homes
If your property has more than one main house, you need additional photos.
Detached Structures
A detached garage, barn, workshop, or gazebo all need to be photographed. If it sits on your property and requires coverage, the carrier needs to see it.
High-Value and Custom Homes
For larger or custom homes, plan for 8 to 10 photos minimum. The carrier will want to see interior features that affect the rebuild cost, including custom millwork, specialty flooring, high-end appliances, and unique architectural elements.
Interior Photos for High-Value Homes
Standard homes often do not require interior photos. High-value and custom homes typically do. Capture the following if applicable.
Kitchen
Photograph the full kitchen layout, including appliances, countertops, and cabinetry. Sub-Zero refrigerators, Wolf ranges, and custom cabinet work all affect how the home is valued and insured.
Primary Bathroom
Capture the full bathroom, including the shower, tub, and any specialty tile or fixtures.
Any Other Custom Rooms
Wine cellars, home theaters, libraries, and custom offices should all be photographed if present.
What to Do With the Photos
Send them directly to your broker in their original, unedited format. Do not crop, filter, or compress them. The embedded metadata needs to remain intact so the carrier can verify the timestamp.
If you are working with Falcon West, you can email them to hello@falconwest.com or drop them in a shared folder if one has been set up for your account.
Insuring a business property? See our guide to commercial property photo requirements.
Insuring a vehicle? Review our guide to auto insurance photo requirements.
For background on the current market, see our guide to California homeowners insurance 2026.
Submitting great photos is just one part of insuring well — pair it with our home safety checklist.