Home owner's insurance question

What I have read (over the years) is some insurance agents connected to some companies (You deal with an agent, a person so individual) are very helpful, and often front you a portion of the value, as you buy back, they hand you more money after you prove the receipts on what you spent. Some have even assisted in acquisition. Others, are as helpful as a hemorrhoid, and do all they can to stifle, harm or otherwise prevent you from getting your money. As if their sole purpose is to annoy you so much you just go away empty handed. Insurance companies get reputations.. They deserve them.If you insure with a company with a bad reputation for harming folks trying to collect, then you asked for it. Google is your friend. Also check insurance agent reputation. It pays to go with a better agent, cheap is not your friend.

Elizabeth is correct in all aspects with one respectful correction. And by the Elizabeth you could teach me volumes on AV...

Contents Coverage B or personal property,  
does not have a “co-insurance penalty” clause as does Building coverage A does. While you are required depending on the carrier to carry 80-100% of replacement cost on your home, your contents has no % that is required. You could have $50k contents but only carry $25k contents and still get full recovery on a $25k loss. The exception is the federal government with National flood insurance, carry 100% across the board or FEMA might get you!
Dave 
38 year SF agency owner

@dave1980 Correct, there is no co-insurance requirement on personal property. I was going to mention that earlier, but we seem to be getting in the weeds here.

@Tatyana69   Rubbish, a adjuster cannot "decimate" your claim. That is called bad faith and is illegal. The key is to have documentation to support your claim, photos, receipts, etc.

@philharmonicpete  In your scenario, you would prepare an inventory of your major items, stereo and otherwise.

Lets say you had an amplifier with a replacement cost of $20,000 and the actual cash value (used value) is $15,000. The insurance company would pay you the $15,000 and as soon as you submit documentation that you have ordered the replacement, you would get the additional $5,000. You could replace it with a more expensive amplifier, but can only collect up to $5000. Also, in most states insurance also pays the sales tax.

Sure it's a PIA, but having a total loss fire by definition is a PIA, a bigger PIA without insurance. 

@ericsch  thanks so much for your answers.
Would photographs of your system be sufficient proof for an insurance company to support a claim for loss?

Lowrider, it might be possible to have an endorsement or "rider"on your policy with a separate schedule and itemized values but I've only seen this done for jewelry, art work etc. Interesting question.
Larry