helpful info

property

Make a list. Check it twice.

While you may think you know exactly what’s in your home, accurately listing and valuing your personal property from memory for an insurance claim may be harder than you think.

In times of stress, your memory is often a poor substitute for having things written down. Items tucked away in drawers, boxes and storage cabinets—which could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars—are often forgotten.

Put your possessions on paper

The best way to protect yourself and your property is to complete a thorough inventory of all your possessions. A written description should include the date of purchase, original cost and any improvements. Serial numbers, if available, should be recorded and any receipts you have should be attached to the list.

To make the task more manageable, you may want to tackle one room at a time. Don’t forget items that may be stored in closets or storage boxes.

Catch it with the camera!

If you have a video camera, you can establish additional documentation of your home and belongings for insurance purposes. While a videotape alone may not be enough to prove the loss of valuable items, it can be used as evidence in case of theft, fire or damage. The videotape should include:

• A complete scan of all rooms, outside grounds, attic, basement and garage.
• Close-ups of all valuable items such as artwork, jewelry and antiques (zoom in on serial numbers on stereos, television sets, and other electronic appliances).
• Audio commentary of details that may not be visually apparent.

Store the videotape(s), along with your comprehensive written list, in a safe place away from home, such as a locked file cabinet at your office or your bank safe deposit box. For extra safety, you may want to make copies and store them in separate places.

If you don’t have a video camera, Allied offers a Home Inventory brochure that you can use to list the contents of your home. Stop by your local, independent Allied agency to pick up a copy. Once you have established a complete inventory of your property, it should be fairly easy to update periodically.

Call or visit your Allied agent if you have additional questions or would like to request more information on proof of loss requirements.