Originally Posted by
corporate-wage-slave
My advice would be after packing your bag, unpack it again after taking everything out over a table top, bed or floor and taking a photo. Then repack. This actually doesn't take long, the repack process will often give a better result anyway. This doesn't have to be every time one flies, since usually most people, most of the time, take very similar items. Not only does it help with claims - mainly in terms of not forgetting something in the claim - but it also helps with a future trip to prevent something from being forgotten. I do this from time to time as a HBO traveller, that isn't a complete immunity here, if you end up on a smaller aircraft or even a full Embraer 195, but for checked luggage it is a quick and easy way to keep on top of matters.
To add to this, make sure you email yourself the photos (especially as close as possible to your flight date). This gives a timestamp of when you had the items in your possession.
This is also helpful for any valuables as it can provide you with ammo if immigration decides you should pay duty on that expensive necklace or ring or laptop (as likely or unlikely as it can be) that you might be wearing/carrying with you.