| Creating and maintaining an inventory of
your possessions can be very helpful at claim time to ensure that you
claim all the items you lost in a catastrophic claim.
After a catastrophe strikes is the worst time to sit down
and recollect what all you own. Can you list all your valuables, indeed,
all you possess and have purchased and stored away?
An inventory created before a loss is the only true way to be sure you have a
fairly complete listing and can be assured of being compensated fully.
Another very important reason to perform an inventory is that
it helps you assess whether you are carrying adequate limits for your
coverage. My bet is you'll be surprised at how much you have accumulated.
An insurance company will estimate the repairs to your
dwelling structure, but the list of contents is left up to the insured to
create. That is why having a household items inventory is so helpful.
We are glad to provide you several ways to create your inventory.
From the simple do-it yourself to a professional local service. First is a simple yet effective Excel spreadsheet. It enables you to
list items line by line, room by room and fits most situations. Even
though it is quick and dirty, it gives you a summary of your items that
can be printed out or saved and stored elsewhere.
Click on this link to the
Excel Spreadsheet and select to Save the File to your computer's hard
drive. Open it and you're ready to go get to work.
A second option is a much more elaborate and
comprehensive program available as a service provided by the Insurance
Information Institute. This program allows you to create a complete
inventory using an installed little program that is quite powerful.
You can even save copies of receipts and digital photos with the inventory
items. Try it out! Go to this link to download it.
Download
A third and more ideal solution is to use an inventory
service company. This independent inventory provides an insurance adjuster
with an unbiased valuation and listing of your possessions. We recommend
Home Inventory Service located in Victoria, Texas. (361) 655-1904
Their rates are reasonable and their service is professional and thorough.
At the very least, one can walk through the home and take
digital photographs or video of everything, even inside the drawers and
cabinets. Put this onto a disk and be sure to store it outside the
home so that you can still have access to it even if you lose your home.
You don't need photos to prove you owned something (unless it is very
unusual) but pictures can help you create a list after a loss because they
will jog your memory. Just like having an up to date will and life
insurance, a home inventory is another way to help handle your risk.
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