Prepare for the Worst | Take Inventory of Your Home in Case of Disaster
No one expects to have their home damaged or destroyed by fire or flooding. To have one’s treasured items stolen from them is devastating to even think about. In the event of such a disaster, you must be prepared for the worst. This week you’ll learn why keeping an itemized list of your home’s contents is a huge help when you need to make an insurance claim.
Why Having an Updated Inventory of Your Home Matters
Take a look around your home. It’s likely filled with a mix of costly appliances, dollar store steals, expensive technology, Target essentials, and priceless keepsakes. Your home is stocked with many different items, some more valuable than others. Not everything you own is a collector’s item, but if you add them all up, the value of your belongings could be pretty high! Does your insurance cover all of that? What happens when you need to make a claim and prove the value? Having an updated inventory of your home informs how much coverage you need to purchase and will help verify the value of your belongings if disaster strikes.
Getting It Right & Making It Easy
Making an inventory of your home is easier than you think. Start simple and pull together a list of your furniture and home appliances. You can quickly look up their value online if you know your belongings’ brand details or serial number.
Once you’ve itemized the basics, spend time reviewing your more intricate valuables, such as jewelry, clothing, recreational equipment, and electronics. Any details you can add to your itemization are a plus. As a general rule, keep track of receipts, serial numbers, and purchase dates. Take pictures for documentation just in case you need them down the line.
Useful Software
Taking pictures and making detailed lists sounds complicated and overwhelming, but modern technology makes it easy. Many programs are free and easy to use! You don’t have any excuse to neglect the inventory of your home. It’s easy to itemize your valuables with the aid of the following software:
Available on IOS and Android
Cost: Free
Available on IOS and Android
Cost: Free
Available on IOS
Cost: Free
Multiple other software may be available to suit your phone or computer capabilities. If this type of system doesn’t work for you, you can always take the time to save your photos and lists on a safe online platform like Dropbox or iCloud that you can access from anywhere. Some people even like to take a home video and walk from room to room to document their stuff.
No matter what system you choose, the most important thing is that you’re organized and prepared if something happens to your home. If you have questions about itemization or another aspect of homeownership, I’m eager to provide answers. Give me a call! I’m always happy to share my expertise.
