nd collectibles may increase in value over time. Make sure you have itemized coverage on these items (antiques are just old furniture if not itemized). Check with your agent to assure you have up to date coverage.

Digitize Documentation
Use still pictures for important individual items. Make a note either on the back of a printed picture or in your computerized copy of the details of t

PROTECT YOUR HOME AND BUSINESS THROUGH PICTURES

Whether it is a hurricane, tornado, fire, theft or some other disaster that causes you to have to turn to your insurance company for help you need to do your part to assure you are treated fairly and get what you have paid for in premiums.

INVENTORY YOUR CONTENTS BEFORE A DISASTER STRIKES

If a tornado, fire, hurricane or other disaster struck would you be able to sit down and list all the items you have accumulated over the years? And certainly you would not have the values, model numbers and other identifying details memorized. Keeping an up-to-date home inventory will help you get your insurance claim settled accurately and quickly.

Start by making a list of your possessions, describing each item and noting where you bought it and its make and model. Clip to your list any sales receipts, purchase contracts, and appraisals you have. For clothing, count the items you own by category - pants, coats, shoes, for example –making notes about those that are especially valuable. For major appliance and electronic equipment, record their serial numbers usually found on the back or bottom.

It’s a big job – but you will be sorry if you don’t do it.
As daunting as the task may be if you have had your household set up for some years, an incomplete inventory is better than none at all. If you are just starting out it is easier to get in the habit of updating your inventory with every major purchase or at least annually.

Take care of big ticket items
Items of value such as artwork, antiques, jewelry and collectibles may increase in value over time. Make sure you have itemized coverage on these items (antiques are just old furniture if not itemized). Check with your agent to assure you have up to date coverage.

Digitize Documentation
Use still pictures for important individual items. Make a note either on the back of a printed picture or in your computerized copy of the details of th

disaster struck would you be able to sit down and list all the items you have accumulated over the years? And certainly you would not have the values, model numbers and other identifying details memorized. Keeping an up-to-date home inventory will help you get your insurance claim settled accurately and quickly.

Start by making a list of your possessions, describing each item and noting where you bought it and its make and model. Clip to your list any sales receipts, purchase contracts, and appraisals you have. For clothing, count the items you own by category - pants, coats, shoes, for example –making notes about those that are especially valuable. For major appliance and electronic equipment, record their serial numbers usually found on the back or bottom.

It’s a big job – but you will be sorry if you don’t do it.
As daunting as the task may be if you have had your household set up for some years, an incomplete inventory is better than none at all. If you are just starting out it is easier to get in the habit of updating your inventory with every major purchase or at least annually.

Take care of big ticket items
Items of value such as artwork, antiques, jewelry and collectibles may increase in value over time. Make sure you have itemized coverage on these items (antiques are just old furniture if not itemized). Check with your agent to assure you have up to date coverage.

Digitize Documentation
Use still pictures for important individual items. Make a note either on the back of a printed picture or in your computerized copy of the details of t

ught it and its make and model. Clip to your list any sales receipts, purchase contracts, and appraisals you have. For clothing, count the items you own by category - pants, coats, shoes, for example –making notes about those that are especially valuable. For major appliance and electronic equipment, record their serial numbers usually found on the back or bottom.

It’s a big job – but you will be sorry if you don’t do it.
As daunting as the task may be if you have had your household set up for some years, an incomplete inventory is better than none at all. If you are just starting out it is easier to get in the habit of updating your inventory with every major purchase or at least annually.

Take care of big ticket items
Items of value such as artwork, antiques, jewelry and collectibles may increase in value over time. Make sure you have itemized coverage on these items (antiques are just old furniture if not itemized). Check with your agent to assure you have up to date coverage.

Digitize Documentation
Use still pictures for important individual items. Make a note either on the back of a printed picture or in your computerized copy of the details of t

sorry if you don’t do it.
As daunting as the task may be if you have had your household set up for some years, an incomplete inventory is better than none at all. If you are just starting out it is easier to get in the habit of updating your inventory with every major purchase or at least annually.

Take care of big ticket items
Items of value such as artwork, antiques, jewelry and collectibles may increase in value over time. Make sure you have itemized coverage on these items (antiques are just old furniture if not itemized). Check with your agent to assure you have up to date coverage.

Digitize Documentation
Use still pictures for important individual items. Make a note either on the back of a printed picture or in your computerized copy of the details of t

nd collectibles may increase in value over time. Make sure you have itemized coverage on these items (antiques are just old furniture if not itemized). Check with your agent to assure you have up to date coverage.

Digitize Documentation
Use still pictures for important individual items. Make a note either on the back of a printed picture or in your computerized copy of the details of the item such as when and where you got it, the value and any identifying numbers or marks. Also take pictures of whole rooms and closets. Don’t forget your kitchen cabinets. You may have thousands of dollars tied up in dishes, cutlery, pots, small appliances, etc.

Videotape
Walk through your house or apartment videotaping and describing the contents.

Keep it on the Computer
There are several options for using your computer to keep track of your inventory. There are websites that have inventory programs as well as downloadable software to make your lists. Remember you do not want to have the only copy on your hard drive in the event of disaster. E-mail it to your work computer or to a family member or friend. You could also start a personal website – there are plenty of free ones – and keep all your pictures and inventory list there where they are easily retrievable from wherever you are. Scan in the front page of your policy with the policy number and limits as well as any other important documents and upload it to either you personal website or an e-mail. If all is lost then at least copies of everything are available online where ever you are.

Keeping the list, photos and tapes

Regardless of how you do it (written list, floppy disk, photos, videotape or audio tape), keep your inventory along with receipts in your safe deposit box or at a friend's or relative's home. It is best to keep a couple of copies in different locations in the event the disaster is wide spread. And again, uploading it to somewhere on the internet provides the best access of