Document your stuff!

Have you documented all of the assets in your home? Do you have receipts for all of your major purchases?

Does your insurer know about major home improvements? Do you have Photo and Video of all Home Improvement Projects? Do you have receipts for all Home Improvement Projects?
Quite simply put…. Do you know and have a record of EVERYTHING that you own? Well, it’s never too late to start doing this….. As a matter of fact, the sooner, the better!
Armed with an up-to-date inventory, you’ll be in a better position to settle your insurance claim more quickly, substantiate your losses for your income tax return and make sure you have adequate insurance coverage for your personal property. Our staff sat down and came up with this additional list of reasons that this step is so important:

• Inventories can be daunting if you’ve never done them before or if your time is at a premium. It’s important that you seize opportunities to get organized. Inventories can be less daunting to compile if you’re moving or just starting out. As you set up your household, take a moment to jot down a quick description of each of your possessions.

• Write down the make, model, place of purchase and dollar value, and attach any receipts and sales contracts to your list.

• Have you been in the same house for years? If so, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by this whole inventory thing – but don’t let yourself. Try not to procrastinate about taking stock of your stuff. Remember: An incomplete inventory is better than no inventory at all.

• Track specialty items correctly. When documenting your clothing, write down the number0 of items you own by category (shirts, coats, shoes and so on). Record the serial numbers of major appliances and electronic equipment.

• If you own jewelry, heirlooms, artwork, silverware, china, collectibles and other items of significant worth, a professional appraisal and separate insurance coverage may be in order by a reputable association, such as the American Society of Appraisers or the International Society of Appraisers.

• You could have the best inventory in the world, but it won’t do you much good if you don’t have the right kind of insurance. Flood damage that happens as a result of storm surges and other environmental events won’t be covered by your homeowners’ policy.

• Store your inventory somewhere safe! Regardless of how you do it (written list, compact disc, photos, videotape), keep your inventory along with receipts in your safe deposit box or at a friend's or relative's home. That way you’ll be sure to have something to give your insurance representative if your home is damaged. When you make a significant purchase, add the information to your inventory while the details are fresh in your mind.

There are advantages to using an Inventory Service

Using a professional Inventory Service can save you valuable time and provide you with the peace of mind that the inventory was completed with a high degree of quality:

• High Quality Photo and Video of each room. Remember, this inventory could be viewed by an adjuster some day. You want to have the best possible documentation. A professional can provide just that.
• Specialty items will be tracked correctly.
• Not always the case, but the inventory pros usually have nifty ways at getting to those hard to find serial numbers of major appliances and electronics.
• If you own jewelry, heirlooms, artwork, silverware, china, collectibles and other items of significant worth, many inventory pros will itemize (extra cost can sometimes be included) them for you.
• They will provide you with a physical copy of the inventory in a nice neat package. Many will also save you the hassle of having to upload your inventory to a website. They will do it for you… Again saving a lot of time and effort on your part.
• Annual renewals. With a inventory service, they will come out and update your inventory periodically, so you don’t have to!
  

Flood Preparation Tips!

Given what our city has had to battle the last few days here in Atlanta, I want to take a moment to let you know....please Educate Yourself!

In addition to getting flood insurance, there are several things you can do to minimize losses in your home and ensure your family's safety when we are unfortunately faced with these circumstances again:

Safeguard your possessions.
Create a personal "flood file" containing information about all your possessions and keep it in a secure place, such as a safe deposit box or waterproof container. This file should have:

• A copy of your insurance policies with your agent's contact information.
• A room-by-room inventory of your possessions, including receipts, photos, and videos.
• Copies of all other critical documents, including finance records or receipts of major purchases.

Prepare your house.

• Make sure your sump pump is working.
• Clear debris from gutters and downspouts.
• Anchor any fuel tanks.
• Raise your electrical components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers, and wiring) at least 12 inches above your home's projected flood elevation.
• Place the furnace, water heater, washer, and dryer on cement blocks at least 12 inches above the projected flood elevation.
• Move furniture, valuables, and important documents to a safe place.

Develop a family emergency plan.

• Create a safety kit with drinking water, canned food, first aid, blankets, a radio, and a flashlight.
• Post emergency telephone numbers by the phone and teach your children how to dial 911.
• Plan and practice a flood evacuation route with your family. Know safe routes from home, work, and school that are on higher ground.
• Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to be your emergency family contact.
• Have a plan to protect your pets.

*The tips above are courtesy of www.floodsmart.gov.