Keeping receipts for your claim
You keep hearing you need receipts and want to know exactly what to keep.
Receipts turn a real cost into proof that a court or insurer can accept. Special damages are only included where they can be specifically shown, not just described.[1] A simple system from the first day is far easier than reconstructing costs later.
What to actually keep
- Hospital, clinic and pharmacy receipts, including for private treatment.
- Transport receipts, or a written mileage record, for hospital and treatment visits.
- Invoices for damaged personal items, such as a phone, helmet or clothing.
- Payslips or an employer’s letter covering pay lost before trial.
- Receipts connected to obtaining medical reports or records.
Why a tax invoice specifically matters
A proper tax invoice, showing the provider’s details, the date, and a description of what was paid for, carries more weight than a handwritten note or a verbal confirmation. Where a provider only issues a simple receipt, keeping it alongside any payment confirmation still helps.
A simple system
Start one folder, physical or a phone photo album, in the week of the accident. Photograph each receipt straight away, before it fades or gets lost.
What if you cannot find a receipt now
A bank or card statement showing the payment, or a duplicate invoice from the provider, can sometimes stand in for a lost receipt. Ask as soon as you notice it is missing.
What to do next
Special damages explains why this proof matters. Proving your lost income covers evidence for lost pay, and out-of-pocket costs you can claim lists items people forget to keep proof of.
An independent lawyer can sort your receipts into the claim. For the first contact, share general dates, location, case status and a short summary only. Keep documents private. Only after an identified lawyer or law firm contacts you and specifically asks for them should you provide that identified lawyer or firm with the accident date, whether anyone was injured (yes/no) and the receipts you have so far.
Need a lawyer to handle your injury claim?
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
Common questions
Does it matter if my receipt is handwritten rather than printed?
A handwritten receipt is still useful, particularly if it shows the provider's name, the date and what was paid for. A proper tax invoice or an accompanying payment record adds extra weight where you can get one.
How long should I keep these records for?
Keep them until your claim is fully resolved, and ideally longer, since a claim can take time to settle or reach trial and records are sometimes requested again during that process.
Should I keep receipts for small amounts too?
Yes. Small, genuine costs add up over the course of a claim, and consistently keeping every receipt, however small, is simpler than deciding in the moment which ones might matter later.
Is a photo of a receipt good enough, or do I need the original?
A clear photo is generally a reasonable backup, though keeping the physical original as well, where practical, avoids any doubt if the image is unclear or the paper receipt fades over time.
Sources
- Civil Law Act 1956, s.28A (Attorney General's Chambers) (accessed 2026-09-22)
Need a lawyer to handle your injury claim?
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.