Spring is approaching us here in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and giving your house a good cleaning is a common practice.
While you’re cleaning you might also want to take an inventory of your possessions.
Why?
Because you never know when a catastrophe such as Hurricane Sandy can strike and you’re soon faced with a loss.
Most of us have a homeowners or renters policy that gives us coverage for damage to our possessions but what few of us have actually made an inventory of our possessions.
After all, would you be able to remember all the possessions you’ve accumulated over the years if they were destroyed by a hurricane, tornado or fire? Having an up-to-date home inventory will help you get your insurance claim settled faster, verify losses for your income tax return and help you purchase the correct amount of insurance.
Make a home inventory – lists, pictures or a videotape of the contents of your home.
All insurance companies will require documentation of your personal property that was damage. Do you have that? Most people do not. Picture the worst case scenario of a tornado that completely destroys your home. Where do you start to make your inventory list for your damage property when it has all been destroyed?
Attached is a copy of a home inventory checklist.
The Insurance Information Institute outlines many steps toward making a home inventory such as the following.
- Big ticket items – fur, jewelry, art work
- Take out your cell phone and take pictures of all the rooms in your house, closets, garage etc.
- Take a video
- Store this information some place safe such as a safe or a bank safety deposit box
- If you every need it, it will be always be there and will be much easier to document your claim
- Create a digital record – using a computer or smartphone
We truly hope this is not an issue you will be facing, but understand that if it does happen to you, John Andrade Insurance Agency, Inc. will be with you every step of the way. Call our office at 401-253-6542.