What Was In Your House?

When homeowners who are victimized by a fire that consumed their house are asked to make of list of all their household assets, most fail to remember everything that had been destroyed. Today is never too late to take the necessary steps to ensure you claim all you might have lost if you ever had to face this type of misfortune.

Where do you start?

1. Every bank has fireproof safety boxes for rent, and they should be considered a vital safekeeping area for your important papers, records, jewelry, family treasures, etc.

1. Be sure to keep a household inventory among your important papers. If there is a fire in your home, or even a burglary, your inventory records will not only help you remember what has to be replaced, but how much each item is worth. An inventory may also show that you need to increase your insurance now that some of your possessions are worth more than when you first bought them.

Beginning an Inventory. Simply using a pad and pen, make your inventory by starting just inside the doorway of each room.

•  List each item, its cost, date of purchase, and the cost of replacement.

•  Include model numbers, brand names, and a general description.

•  Take video or still pictures of each room in your house from several angles.

•  Keep the videotape and/or pictures in your safe or safe deposit box for protection.

•  Take inventory of your garage where expensive tools and sporting equipment might be stored. The same holds true of your basement and attic.

Be sure to update your inventory every six months or so, adding new purchases and adjusting replacement costs.

Stay safe. Be secure!

Happiness has many roots, but none more important than security.

– E.R. Stettinius, Jr.