"Assurance for Your Insurance" Blog

FEMA, NOAA mark the beginning of National Hurricane Preparedness Week

2011-05-24T07:45:00.002-04:00

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are partnering once again to get the message out about the importance of preparedness for hurricanes and other possible disasters. FEMA is aggressively preparing for the upcoming hurricane season and has been working closely with other federal, state, local, and tribal partners, the private sector, faith-based and voluntary organizations, and most importantly, the public, to get ready.

President Obama recently designated May 22-28, 2011, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week, and called upon all Americans, especially those in hurricane prone areas as well as inland areas, to learn more about how to protect themselves against hurricanes and to work together, as a whole community, to respond to and recover from them. The Atlantic and Central Pacific Hurricane Season runs from June 1-November 30. The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season began on May 15.

FEMA continues to work with state, local, tribal, federal and private sector partners to increase preparedness and coordinate response and recovery in the case of a hurricane or other disaster. FEMA also urges Americans to use this week as an annual reminder to assess their personal readiness to respond to emergencies. Our team can only be as prepared as the public is prepared, which is why it's important that people living in hurricane-prone areas take steps to prepare and protect their family.

"We never know where the next hurricane or disaster will strike, but what we do know is that being prepared can make a world of difference, for individuals and their larger communities," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "In hurricane prone areas as well as inland areas, we urge the entire community to prepare now. There are a number of steps individuals, families, communities, churches and businesses can take to better protect themselves against hurricanes and other disasters."

"Having a personal hurricane plan is not just for those living along the coast. Inland areas are just as vulnerable to the effects from hurricanes, including damaging winds, tornadoes, and especially, flooding," said Bill Read, director, NOAA's National Hurricane Center.

Throughout the entire hurricane season it is important to know the risk for the area in which you are in and to stay informed of the latest weather information. Having a battery-powered radio, like a NOAA Weather Radio is a critical first step. Also, everyone, including those living well inland, should be prepared by checking personal preparations such as emergency kit supplies and knowing emergency evacuation routes. More information on how we can all be prepared for this hurricane season can be found by visiting www.Ready.gov/hurricanes.

Businesses have a vital role in preparedness as well. Putting a disaster plan in motion now will improve the likelihood that your company may recover from a disaster faster. Ready Business outlines commonsense measures business owners and managers can take to start getting ready.

For more information on how we can all be prepared for this hurricane season, visit www.Ready.gov/hurricanes.

For information about the hurricane outlooks and National Hurricane Preparedness Week, visit http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/outreach/prepared_week.shtml

Click here to view the Presidential Proclamation on National Hurricane Preparedness Week.

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities atwww.twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only.

Insurers Report 24% Rise in Suspicious Claims Since 2008

2011-02-24T15:17:00.001-05:00

There has been a 24 percent rise in what insurance companies consider suspicious claims since 2008.

In 2008, a total of 74,146 so-called questionable claims, or QCs, were referred to the National Insurance Crime Bureau from its member insurance companies compared to 91,797 received in 2010 —a 24 percent increase. In 2009, a total of 84,407 QCs were referred. The difference between 2009 and 2010 was an increase of 8.7 percent.

NICB's report on 2010 questionable claims examines six referral reason categories of claims: property, casualty, commercial, workers' compensation, vehicle and miscellaneous referred in 2010, with those referred in 2008 and 2009.

Questionable claims are those claims that NICB member insurance companies refer to NICB for closer review and investigation based on one or more indicators of possible fraud. A single claim may contain up to seven referral reasons.

Vehicle QC analysis identified auto glass fraud and inflated towing/storage bills as the top two referral reasons in 2010 garnering increases of 450 percent and 116 percent, respectively, over their 2009 numbers.

http://www.claimsjournal.com/news/national/2011/02/24/180610.htm

Prepare Inventory of All Items Before Relocation

2010-12-21T10:17:00.000-05:00

If you are looking for relocation after sometime, then you should start planning. Relocation is complex and lengthy task. Many of the items are misplaced and some of them get damaged during the process. So, you should prepare inventory of all items of your home before you start working for relocation. In fact, this is the first task of shifting plan. Take a diary and keep it handy. Here are some tips on how to do this:

List the items one room at a time.
Divide the pages according to the numbers of rooms in your home.
List all electronic items in a separate page.
List like items together. In this way, you can access your inventory book quick and check loss and damage.
Pay special attention to important documents, certificates, files and expensive jewelry.
As soon as you reach new place, check your list and get confirmed that you have brought all items carefully or not.

Don’t Drop The Ball, Resolve to be in 2011

2010-12-16T11:07:00.000-05:00

Keeping New Year’s resolutions can be hard, but emergency preparedness is one resolution
that can be easy to keep with Ready’s three simple steps:

Make a Family Emergency Plan
Get an Emergency Supply Kit
Be Informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur in your area and their appropriate responses.

A Public Adjuster Turns His Hand to Writing a Book

2010-12-02T08:27:00.000-05:00

Recently, I learned the background story of public insurance adjuster who, prior to advocating for policyholders as a PA, was a very successful catastrophe adjuster, named Mark Goldwich of Gold Star Adjusters, LLC., Mark explains why he left his job at a major insurance company to work as a public adjuster here.

Prepare Today!

2010-09-16T08:20:00.000-04:00

1. Get an emergency supply kit
2. Make a family emergency plan
3. Be informed about local threats and response methods.

Preparedness Considerations For Businesses

2010-09-07T19:46:00.000-04:00

Risk assessment is a sophisticated area of expertise that can range from self-assessment to an extensive engineering study. The specific industry, size and scope of your individual company will determine your organization's risk assessment needs.

Know what kinds of emergencies might affect your company both internally and externally. Find out which natural disasters are most common in the areas where you operate. You may be aware of some of your community's risks; others may surprise you.

Learn about what to do during a biological, chemical, explosive, nuclear or radiological attack.

National Preparedness Month 2010

2010-09-07T19:11:00.000-04:00

What Is National Preparedness Month (NPM)?

September is National Preparedness Month! This awareness month is sponsored by the Ready Campaign in partnership with Citizen Corps and the Ad Council. NPM is designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities.

How Do I Register My Organization?

You can register to become a NPM Coalition Member by visiting http://ready.adcouncil.org.

In the past we have had as many as 3,200 NPM Coalition Members who worked to create a culture of preparedness in the United States. We hope your organization will join us in spreading this emergency preparedness message in 2010!

What Does It Mean To Be A NPM Coalition Member?

By joining the Coalition, your organization would agree to promote emergency preparedness in any way that it can during September.

Who Can Sign Up To Be An NPM Coalition Member?

NPM Coalition membership is open to all public and private sector organizations at no cost.

What Do I Get For Being A Coalition Member?

Once you register you will receive access to the NPM Website where you can find a toolkit that includes templates, resources, and tips to assist you with promoting emergency preparedness. You will also find an NPM calendar where you can post your events and see what other organizations are doing in your community. In addition, you can share your success stories and read about the successes of others.

Your organization will also be listed on our Web site!

Understand why an inventory so important

2010-09-07T17:11:00.000-04:00

Would you be able to remember all the belongings you’ve accumulated over the years if they were destroyed? Even if you could, that may not be enough for your insurer when the time comes to file a claim.

wwww.certifiedhomeinventory.com

5 Years After Hurricane Katrina: Know the Steps Every Homeowner Should Take

2010-07-31T15:36:00.000-04:00

Tornado Loss Prevention Tips

2010-04-05T17:56:00.001-04:00

The following steps are suggestions that homeowners should take before a tornado or other natural disaster occurs to assure speedy and hassle-free recovery.

Home Coverage and Preparedness Tips

Tornado losses are most often covered by the "windstorm peril" under the homeowner's insurance policy.
Check with your homeowner insurance agency to assure adequate coverage is provided by the policy. Notify the insurance agency of any additions or improvements to the home.
Consider purchasing the replacement cost coverage endorsement for the home and its contents. It would give the option to rebuild or replace damaged property at current costs rather than depreciated values.
If you experience a storm-related loss to your home that is covered by your insurance, notify your insurer in a timely manner, as required by your policy.

Home Inventories Assist in Settling Claims

Videotape, photograph or compile a written inventory of your home and belongings.
Keep the inventory off premises in a bank safe deposit box. The inventory will provide a record for you and the insurance company, should a loss occur.
Update your inventory every time you move or every two to three years.

Written Inventory Tips

Go through each room of the home and list every item. Include the purchase date, price and model numbers.
Include professional, written appraisals of antiques, jewelry and other costly possessions.
The task of completing a Home Inventory can be overwhelming to some. If so, there are highly qualified, professional o

Video or Photo Inventory Tips

Pan the camera around the room to capture all items. Obtain close-ups of expensive items such as jewelry, china and furs.
Consider grouping items for easier inventory.
Narrate the video by noting purchase costs and dates. Include model and serial numbers for appliances and electronic devices.

Auto Coverage and Preparedness Tips

If there is threatening weather, shelter vehicles to prevent damage from winds, flying debris and hail.
Vehicles are protected under the "other than collision" (comprehensive) portion of an auto insurance policy, if damaged by windstorms or hail.

After the Loss - Insurance Tips

Photograph any damage and inventory losses. Photos will assist when settling claims.
Secure property from further damage or theft and save related receipts, since many insurers will reimburse for these expenses.
If required to seek temporary housing due to a covered loss such as a tornado, check your policy for "loss of use" coverage. Many policies cover such expenses up to a stated amount.

Are you covered?

2010-03-31T13:26:00.001-04:00

So how can you tell if you have enough coverage? Take the following steps:

Read your policy. Its not exactly summer beach reading, but insurers have generally made their policies more understandable in recent years. You should be able to get a good idea of whats covered and whats not. If you have any questions, call your insurer and ask.
Insure the house, not the land -- or the mortgage. The price you paid for your home, the amount its worth now and the mortgage you're carrying are all pretty much irrelevant when it comes to determining how much insurance you should have. What you really need to know is how much it will cost to rebuild your house, and that could be significantly more or less than any of the above figures.
Use averages only as a starting point. The average cost for building a home nationally ranges from $65 to $150 a square foot, with homes on the coasts and in major metropolitan areas coming in on the high end of that range. Custom-built homes in these high-cost areas often can cost $200 to $400 a square foot. The average homeowner in today's market should start with (rebuilding costs) of $75 to $85 a square foot, and then make adjustments from there.
Talk to builders in your area. If your insurer cant help you nail down the cost of rebuilding your home -- and many cant -- your best bet may be to chat with contractors doing work in your neighborhood. Their ballpark estimates are likely to be much more helpful and accurate than a guesstimate from a company or agent who isn't as familiar with the quality and cost of homes in your area. If you're still having trouble coming up with a solid estimate, consider hiring an appraiser to do the job. This can cost you $200 to $300, but in the long run could save you a world of grief.
Consider adding upgrade coverage. The older your home, the more it will cost to bring it up to current codes -- and those costs typically aren't covered in the standard replacement policy being sold to most homeowners. Upgrade coverage is a relatively inexpensive addition to your policy that could pay off should you ever face disaster. And the possibility of disaster is, after all, why you have insurance in the first place. Make sure you have enough so that the tragedy of a fire or other disaster isn't compounded by not having enough money to rebuild.

MSN Money Central Report

Why 2 out of 3 homes are under insured

2010-03-30T10:34:00.003-04:00

Stingier policies and rising construction costs mean many American homeowners would face huge out-of-pocket expenses if disaster struck. Are you covered?

If your home burned down tomorrow, chances are good you wouldn't get enough money from your insurance company to replace it.

A whopping two out of every three homes nationwide are under-insured, according to a survey by Marshall & Swift / Boeckh. This Princeton, N.J., company specializes in estimating construction costs, and its annual reviews of 3 million insurance policies consistently show homeowners don't have enough coverage.

Were not talking small amounts, either. The latest survey showed the typical homeowner was under-insured by 27%. That's an improvement from a couple of years ago, when 73% of homes were under-insured by an average of 35%, but still shows most homeowners are at risk.

http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Insurance/Insureyourhome/P35340.asp

Document your stuff!

2010-01-21T22:00:00.002-05:00

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

2009-10-15T10:53:00.001-04:00

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!

2009-09-23T16:19:00.002-04:00

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.

Working with your Insurance Adjuster

2009-08-19T21:52:00.000-04:00

Your insurance company may send you a claim form, known as a “proof of loss” form, to complete. Proof of loss is a formal statement made by a policy owner to an insurer regarding a loss. It is intended to provide the insurer with information to determine the extent of its liability.

A claims adjuster, a person professionally trained to assess the damage to your property, may visit your home before you're asked to complete any forms. The more information you have about your damaged home and belongings, the sooner your claim will be settled. Your adjuster generally will come prepared to do a thorough and complete evaluation of the damage to your home. If the adjuster is unable to complete a thorough inspection due to time constraints he/she may be forced to "scope the loss." This is a brief inspection of the damage with a second visit necessary to complete the inspection. The "scope of loss" should include the following:

1. Degree of damage
2. Quality of the materials and workmanship
3. Measurements needed to calculate quantities

The scope differs from the finished estimate in two ways:

1. The scope does not necessarily list any prices, although prices can be used to describe quality.
2. The scope does not list the calculated quantities; it includes just the raw counts and measurements needed to calculate quantities for the estimate.

Keep a log of all phone calls and correspondence, and make copies of all correspondence you send to, or receive from, your insurance company.

Does a home inventory really help with home insurance?

2009-08-03T21:49:00.009-04:00

Home insurance is primarily determined by the value of the structure and replacement cost of the structure. Home insurance deals specifically with the house itself, but the contents are normally insured as a percentage of that structure cost. If the house is insured for $100,000, the insurance will provide 80 percent of that for the contents. The home inventory can be a great point of reference to determine if that 80 percent (or whatever your contents coverage) is correct.

It is important for Home Owner's realize that all home owner’s insurance has sub-limits for theft coverages, specifically for jewelry, guns, furs and silverware. If someone breaks in your house, and someone steals your jewelry, there’s going to be a limit. The limit is specified in the policy the insurance company writes. It is usually between $2,000 to $3,000.

The home inventory should be backed by appraisals... Especially jewelry, antiques etc. If jewelry is stolen, and only one piece of the jewelry, such as an engagement ring, is worth $5,000, and only $3,000 of the stolen jewelry is covered by insurance, then the homeowner has already lost $1,000, not including the other stolen items!

While a home inventory is not going to protect against theft, it will give documentation when the homeowner starts to settle with the insurance company. It provides the proof and peace of mind, taking away the pressure of remembering what was in each room.

Home Security Tips

2009-07-24T07:53:00.000-04:00

Keeping your home safe from intrusion by criminals is important to your health and well being. The tips below will help keep your home safe while you're away and may save you money on your insurance as well.

Illumination
Darkness and shadows are a burglar's best friend. Use a light-timer to periodically switch on lights to give a "lived-in" appearance when you're not home. The use of motion-sensing floodlights will also make it harder for a home invader.

Install Locks/Security System
Use of dead bolt locks makes it harder for a burglar to force his way in. A full-service security system will deter him even further (always place the security "sticker" in your window). Although neither are guaranteed to absolutely protect your home, the longer it takes a burglar to enter, the less likely he'll stay and try!

Consider Visibility Factors
Can you look inside your window and see that CD player, silverware collection and Ming vase? If so, chances are a burglar could too, giving him more of a reason to try your house! Keep such valuables out of view and keep blinds and drapes closed. High fences, trees and shrubs can provide cover for burglars as they attempt to invade your home. Sacrifice the privacy for better visibility. Coupled with ample lighting, your would-be burglar is an obvious dark¬-dressed man on your lawn!

Keep Valuables Safe
Keep valuable belongings (jewelry, papers, certificates, etc.) out of sight. If possible, keep them in a safety deposit box away from home. Other valuable items like TVs and radios should be engraved with your social security or driver's license number, which will help police identify your property if it is stolen and subsequently recovered.

Keep an Accurate Inventory of Valuables
Record all serial numbers/ID numbers of all your valuables on a sheet of paper. You can also videotape the information as you describe the items. Keep copies in a safety deposit box or give them to a trusted friend for safekeeping when you're away. A complete list of your belongings will allow you to get better compensation when a claim is made.

Ask a Neighbor
A trusted neighbor is probably the best resource you have for deterring burglary. They can continue an illusion of your presence by following your "lived-in" routine: turn lights on/off appropriately, collect mail, newspapers etc.

Get a Dog
Other than a neighbor, a dog is probably one of the best deterrents to would be thieves. Dogs often bark in alert when strangers come around. Certain dogs are trained to guard their fenced lawns. If you own a dog and weather permits, leave your dog outdoors where he will immediately detect trespassers. Please note that certain types of dogs may not be permitted by your insurer. Please review the pet section of your policy.

What to do After a Loss? ¬ Protect the Property

2009-07-23T06:57:00.000-04:00

One of the most important things to do after a property loss is make temporary repairs to prevent further damage. Do your best to protect your property by covering damage in roof, walls, doors, and windows with plastic sheeting or plywood. Homeowner’s insurance policies may not cover ensuing damage to your property if you have not taken reasonable steps to secure the property from subsequent damage. PLEASE ... Be careful not to risk your own safety when making the repairs.

Saving Money on Homeowner's Insurance

2009-07-22T07:51:00.000-04:00

Did you know....

2009-07-21T13:35:00.000-04:00

That most policies have a $1,000 limitation on jewelry. If a client has $3,000 worth of jewelry and it's not identified on the policy by endorsement as an appraised item, they will need to have the item(s) appraised and included with the policy for proper coverage to be received.

4 Major Events Should Trigger an Insurance Policy Review

2009-04-29T11:19:00.000-04:00

Homeowners are ultimately responsible for making sure they have adequate coverage.

The institute says there are four major events that should trigger a review of your policy:

When it's time to renew your policy check your coverage. Also, shop around for the best rate, consider reducing the deductible to save money, ask your agent about any policy changes, seek specific coverage for hurricanes, earthquakes or flooding; check your liability and personal possessions coverage; and inquire about any discounts available.

When you make a major purchase, build an addition onto your home or improve it, talk to your agent about increasing the coverage to cover the additional square footage, added property value or the value of the purchase.
If the improvement makes your home a safer home you may qualify for a discount. Fire alarms, sprinkler systems, burglar alarms and upgrades to heating, plumbing and electrical systems may qualify for a discount.
Marriage, divorce, new kids, kids leaving for college or returning to the nest can require insurance coverage changes as possessions also come and go.

Finally, keep your policy in a safe place, preferable away from the home, say in a safe deposit box. Store it with an inventory and purchase receipts for your possessions. Video taping or photographing your belongings provides strong evidence of what may need to be replaced.

Just a Few Reasons to Take an Inventory

2009-04-23T05:44:00.000-04:00

- Insurance adjusters will ask you the insured, to provide them a detailed list of your losses!

- In processing claims, insurers have a window of time to make corrections to their claims. Any items submitted after this window is normally not paid and the home owner has just taken a loss.

- Pictures validate condition of your personal content.
Pictures can provide a clearer interpretation compared to a handwritten list.

- Many policies are written for replacement cost rather than fair market value. If an item is obsolete, pictures and descriptions of features provide the adjusters with details to try to match an appropriate replacement.

Many more at: www.certifiedhomeinventory.com

Attn: Georgia Home and Renter's Insurance Holders!!!

2009-04-07T15:57:00.000-04:00

From the Office of Georgia State Insurance Commissioner:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A recent move has been made by Casey Cagle and the Georgia Senate Appropriations Committee to transfer the Department of Insurance's Consumer Services Division to another government agency that has no insurance expertise or regulatory enforcement authority. If this measure passes, Georgia will be the only state in the nation where the Department of Insurance does not have the ability to assist consumers. The Consumer Services Division is on the front line in assisting customers in settling disputes with insurance companies.

Last year, the Consumer Services Division helped settle insurance claim disputes for policyholders that resulted in the recovery of $22 million. These claim settlements might not have otherwise been obtained without the help of this agency.

In this time of economic uncertainty, it is even more imperative that this Department has the ability to assist consumers in their disputes with insurance companies.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As a Homeowner, I enjoy having the peace of mind that I "know my stuff".

To protect yourself and your family during the claims settlement process, insure that you have an up to date inventory of your home, office or apartment. In this hectic world, you may not have time to do this on your own.... there are companies that can help: www.certifiedhomeinventory.com

Regards,

RLK

Why perform an inventory on a home or office?

2009-02-18T22:34:00.000-05:00

If you had to replace the contents in your residence whether that is your apartment, home or condo, it could add up easily to thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Think about this: If you suffered a loss, whether that is a complete, catastrophic loss or whether that a specific item such as the gift of your grandfathers watch, how would you handle it?

Do you know what you own? Or, could you come up with a list? How difficult would it be? And how long would it take? If you had to create a list, would it include verification or proof such as receipts, make, model and serial numbers? And pictures, do you have any? If a police officer, claims adjuster, or court representative asked you to prove ownership, could you?

These are questions that make most of us uncomfortable and the reality is that they are uncomfortable questions. In today’s day and age, you need to be prepared to protect yourself and your loved ones, your valuables and your finances. Having an up-to-date home inventory is one way you can do that.