How to Conduct a Home Inventory For Your Homeowner's Insurance Policy
When you buy a homeowners insurance policy, you are not only insuring donate car physical house against damage, but you are also protecting the value of your personal property inside your home. If you lost all or a portion of your "stuff" because of a disaster such as fire or flood, or even theft or breakage, how would you replace it?
By performing and safely storing a home personal property inventory list, you can have sufficient documentation 1953 Bowman black and white provide to your homeowner's insurance company if you Schuco elektro-radiant to file a claim.
What is included in a home inventory?
What is a home inventory? It is simply a list of your all your personal belongings, including furniture, clothing, electronics, art, etc., written down on paper, photographed, or videotaped.
A home inventory for your homeowner's insurance policy can seem daunting, especially if you have collected many possessions in your home over the years. You may think you need to inventory and list every single item you own. But a home inventory does not need to be complicated. It can consist of categories and an estimated dollar amount. For instance, rather than list every single clothing item you own, you could simply list CLOTHING: $2,000 as an item on the inventory.
When should I create home inventory list?
When and how should you conduct a proper home inventory? Right away! You never know when disaster may strike. Having a home inventory will give you the peace of mind you need should you ever need to make a claim on your homeowners policy.
How do I list my entire home inventory?
A thorough home inventory should contain a room by room listing of all your valuables. Start with your living room. Create a category for each type of item in the room, like BOOKCASES, and LAMPS. You don't need to list each separate Johnny West on the bookcases, nor every lamp and bulb, but write down a general description for each item.
Other details that can be useful are the manufacturer brand and serial number, and the amount you paid for the item. If you have receipts, keep them with your inventory list. As you continue to add personal possessions to your home inventory, keep receipts of important items.
When you have completed a general inventory of one room, go on to the next. Make sure to categorize every major room in your home, including kitchen, attic, basement, garage and all bedrooms.
How do I picture my inventory list?
As a compliment to your homeowner's insurance inventory list, a photo listing of your valuables makes a good way to document your possessions as well. Take photos of every room, making sure to Webkinz individual photos of more expensive and valuable items. You should also be sure to take photos of items stored in drawers, closets, and cabinets.
You can take digital photos and save them on your computer, or print out the photos to keep along with your written listing. Either way, be sure to label the photos with the room and items shown. When you need to make a claim to your homeowner's insurance company, photos will be a good way to document and remember items in your home.
How do I videotape my inventory list?
Video inventories are becoming more popular for homeowners insurance purposes. Cheap and affordable camcorders make it easy for homeowners to make a video inventory list. If you do it yourself, walk slowly through your home, stopping in each room and taking note of all items. You have the added benefit of narrating while you videotape your possessions to give more detail on certain items.
Professional video companies are also offering home inventory services, which are highly praised by homeowner insurance companies. A videographer will use professional equipment and special techniques to provide a casual walkthrough of your home and focus on particular items as directed by the homeowner.
How do I store my home inventory safely?
Your home inventory should be stored safely and securely. Your best option is to keep a hard copy document with photos, videos, and all receipts in a place away from your home. A bank safe deposit box would be ideal.
You also have options to store digital files on your computer. Software developers are making home inventory database software that is easy to use and simple to store lists along with digital images and video. If you do store your list digitally, be sure to save a copy to a location outside of your home, such as a free web-based uploading service.
Your homeowner's insurance policy will help you protect and replace your belongings and personal possessions. Be sure to help your insurance company by providing a complete and thorough inventory list.
Liz Fallon has been a national insurance agent for 8 years. She is a contributor at the insurance resource site href="insurancecentr.com">insurancecentr.com where she can be found roaming the forums
