Did you know that Janruary is National "Get Organized" month?
If one of your New Years resolutions was to get organized why not start with a home inventory?
Now that the cork's officially been popped on holiday festivities, millions of Americans are eager to get a head start on all those well-intentioned resolutions they made. Getting organized is often one of the top five goals people aspire to at the start of a new year.
For those who are looking for a more orderly 2009, making a comprehensive home inventory is a vital first step. If you already have a home inventory, the New Year is a great reason to update - especially since many families recently received expensive new Holiday gifts. The home inventory can be a vital tool in the event disaster strikes, such as fire or theft.
Tornadoes, hail, fire and theft can impact area homeowners without any notice and with devastating consequences. An accurate and up-to-date home inventory can not only help you organize your home right now, but also help make the recovery process easier on you and your family should disaster strike.
Six Steps to a Home Inventory
- Whenever possible, make sure your home inventory list includes photographs or videotape of belongings. If you have a home video camera, take periodic videos of each room in your house. Focus on individual items in each room. Take additional video of smaller items like jewelry, silver, and related valuables or keepsakes. The same recommendations apply if you're using a conventional camera. Be sure to be thorough when taking pictures of your belongings.
- Include with any picture or video home inventory list, a detailed, written account of what you own. Be specific in your written inventory. Whenever possible include make, model, serial numbers, receipts and date of purchase for all items in your home inventory.
- If you don't have pictures, a written home inventory list is better than no inventory, but make sure you are as detailed as possible.
- Store your home inventory list somewhere away from your home. If you have a bank safety deposit box, keep your list there. If you don't have a safety deposit box, ask a friend or relative to keep your inventory list in a safe place. Lists and information in an electronic format can also be emailed to trusted friends or relatives for safekeeping. Allstate recommends, wherever you store your home inventory list, make sure the location is far enough away from your home it won't be lost in the same event that may destroy your house. However, make sure your home inventory list is kept close enough so that it is easily accessible to you when you need it.
- Be sure to update your home inventory after any major purchase or gift. You should be updating your home inventory periodically anyway, but make special effort to do so after any major purchase, holidays, or birthdays.
- If time permits, share your home inventory with your insurance agent so that he or she can help you decide if your coverage meets your needs.
I can tell you first hand that having a home inventory can save you quite a bit of work should you experience a loss. I have worked with clients who have lost everything and the process of trying to reconstruct what possessions you have accumulated over many years is very difficult? Do you know how many shoes, screwdrivers and Christmas ornaments you have?
If you arent ready to itemize everything I also suggest walking thru your house with a video camera and tape everything. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure so why not get organized today.
There are also some great free software programs which will help you with your home inventory. If you would like to learn more please drop me a note at deanakey@allstate.com or give me a call at 877-232-9899.
Comments(2)