Take Inventory of Your Home – Homeowner’s Insurance Preparations
No one plans to lose their valuables and other belongings in a burglary, a fire or a natural disaster. If one of these unfortunate events destroyed your home, would you be able to report exactly what you lost to the police, to the Internal Revenue Service or to your independent insurance agent? It is easier to do an inventory of your home now rather than sitting down afterward and attempting to remember a lifetime worth of purchases. Prepared by the Independent Insurance Agents of America, this information will help you begin your household inventory.
Start Today
Write down any valuable items with their serial numbers (usually found on the bottom or back of major appliances) along with the method of acquisition (purchased, inherited or received as a gift), date purchased and price or approximate value. Attach receipts, if possible. Remember to include furniture, appliances, carpeting, jewelry, artwork, toys and the contents of your closets, cabinets and drawers.
Play It Safe With A Videotape
Many of our clients have embraced technology and have done a narrative video of there home and contents to refer back to in the event of a loss or claim. You can simply take your video camera from the front of your home and walk around, in and through your entire home with a narrative of what you see and what is included in your inventory. It makes the inventory process much easier and often times a thorough video can substitute for a lengthy inventory form. Contact your Atlass Insurance independent insurance agent with questions and concerns or go to “GoAtlassInsurance.com” to complete the homeowner’s insurance quote request form or talk with an agent for assistance with your home insurance needs.
Videotaping each room of your house can make taking inventories easier. Photographs and a tape recorder can substitute for a video camera. A complete video inventory should contain verbal descriptions of major assets as well as their value. Remember your garage, attic, basement and the exterior of the house, plus your landscaping and fencing. If possible, make it a family project by having everyone take turns describing the objects in your home. Store the video or photographs along with this inventory in a safe-deposit box and send a copy to a friend or relative.
Identity Theft and Identity Fraud
In today’s society, it is becoming increasing easier to steal one’s identity which in turn wreaks havoc to your life that is beyond the physical issues of loss of home and property. Many of today’s homeowner’s insurance providers are including or at least offer some kind of identity theft protection. Do Not Overlook this most valuable benefit. With all of us embracing technology and working online through the internet, some identity theft protection should be a hot topic with your agent. Refer to “GoAtlassInsurance.com” for the assistance of a licensed agent and seek the proper identity theft coverage. The form can be completed online and emailed to us for prompt service and quote.
Do Not Forget Important Documents
Extremely important documents should be photocopied. Keep one copy in your home and the original, where possible, in a safe-deposit box. Important items include, but are not limited to, the following:
- House – Escrow, title, deed, insurance policy.
- Personal – Birth certificates, medical history, passports, insurance certificates, credit card numbers, will.
- Automobiles/Boats/RV’s & Motorcycles – Certificates of ownership, finance contracts, registrations, insurance policies for all your valuables & driver licenses.
- Finance – Account numbers for checking and savings accounts, CDs, stocks, bonds, other significant investments.
- Tax – Copies of the first two pages of your state and federal returns for the past five years. Complete returns with appropriate receipts and canceled checks should be kept in a separate file box. If you have a Will or other Trust documents, make sure they are included too.
