If you were to suffer a loss on your homeowners insurance policy due to flood, fire, or theft, would you know exactly what you had lost? Would you be able to put a value on each item that was damaged or stolen in order to make an accurate claim? Most importantly, would you be able to prove to the insurance company that you owned all the items claimed for and what their value was, particularly if your sales receipts were lost too?
The best way to prepare for the potential necessity of replacing your possessions is to take photos of all of them before it’s too late. Walk around each room in your house, including your garage, basement, and attic, and take photos of everything: furniture, curtains, light fixtures, appliances, computers, books and CDs, art objects, etc. You should also open all drawers and closets and take pictures of their contents, as well as taking close-ups of items of high value, such as jewelry and collectibles. Then, make sure you label each photo or make a list if digital photos are put on a CD, which describes all items and gives their purchase date and cost whenever possible. Finally, DON’T keep these photos and descriptions in your home; put them in a safe deposit box, or keep them with a friend or relative in another town or state, just in case a natural disaster strikes a widespread area including your home and theirs. Make a note to photograph your possessions today; tomorrow might be too late. See the available apps for doing your home inventory and photos.