I've seen similar situations play out too. Had a homeowner once whose basement flooded after heavy rains—photos were pretty blurry (think old flip-phone quality), but they were timestamped and showed enough water damage to drywall and flooring. Insurance didn't fuss much, just needed proof it happened when claimed. Deductible flexibility can definitely be legit, though I'd caution it's not always consistent across companies or adjusters. Some insurers are sticklers for detail, others just want basic verification.
One thing I've noticed from inspections: if you can show clear evidence of regular maintenance or recent upgrades, insurers tend to be more cooperative overall—even if your damage pics aren't perfect. It's like they trust you're responsible enough not to exaggerate claims. But yeah, deductible negotiations without hidden catches do happen more often than people think...just depends on the insurer and sometimes even the individual adjuster handling your case.
