Household Inventory Important for Fire Insurance Claims
Are you adequately insured? If the unthinkable happens and you have a damaging fire, some or all of your household contents will need to be replaced. Without a detailed household inventory, processing and collecting an insurance claim at the full value of your losses can be difficult to impossible.
Start your household inventory now and set a deadline for its completion. Begin by taking a camera or video recorder from room to room including the garage and around the outside of the house to document your structures and all their contents. Keep in mind that having a family member in the picture will help you establish your ownership of the items should you need to file an insurance claim. Each item should also be documented on a list with details of its name, description, size, age, model number, brand name, and any other information that helps determine its value.
Remember to list everything including items you can’t readily see because they’re in closets or dresser drawers. Keep receipts (or copies of them) with your inventory for big ticket items like stereo equipment, computers, large tools and equipment, artwork, silver, crystal, and jewelry. Check with your insurance agent to be sure that these items are adequately covered for replacement. Most agents can also provide you with a home inventory form to help guide you in collecting the information you need.
Put your videotape or photos and written descriptions with receipts in your safe-deposit box so you’ll have access to it if your home is destroyed.
Also, check the value of these items periodically to adjust your coverage as necessary.
When a disaster strikes home and everyone survives, the one item most home owners wish they had is a household inventory. If you don’t already have one, the time to make one is now.
Guest Author: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio
For more information, contact:
Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer
Phone: (614) 652-3928
Fax: (614) 766-2507
ldybiec@wtwp.com
