Disaster Planning Tips
You certainly can’t be prepared for every possible type of disaster that could fall on your home but knowing what you have and where it is will make your life so much easier.
Having gone through a small fire in my own home and talking with a friend who has lost her entire home to fire has taught me that when you are trying to replace everything you have to know what you have.
These tips will help you get a handle of your home’s inventory so that you can account for what you may have lost should you need to file an insurance claim. There are products you can purchase that can help you with a complete home inventory but I haven’t tested any to offer suggestions.
Start a spreadsheet that you store on the cloud for your home’s inventory. Create a tab for each room. Start to list the contents of each room. Start from top (artwork, lighting) to bottom (furniture, rugs) and then left to right to capture everything.
Ask your insurance company. Ask them what proof they would require in case of a loss. Do they need photos, copies of receipts, appraisals?
Document specific high value items. Anything that has a high dollar value needs to be documented so you can show proof of ownership. Think about artwork, rugs, expensive furniture, appliances, jewelry, expensive clothing. Don’t forget your garage, basement, and attic if you have expensive equipment or appliances there. While there is wear and tear on your clothing and furniture you usually have to prove what you paid for something if you are trying to get replacement value.
Scan paper copies of receipts and save to the cloud for your inventory. Save copies of email receipt if you have them.
Scan paper copies of appraisals and save to the cloud.
Take photos of key items. If you have china, take a photo of the front and back to capture the pattern name and manufacturer. Take multiple photos of rugs and artwork.
Take a slow video of each closet, room, & drawer. This will refresh your memory of smaller items. You don’t want to necessarily document every book title and t-shirt but you’ll have an idea of how many. Don’t forget your garage, attic, and basement if you have items stored there.
Scan copies of birth and marriage certificates. Also your driver’s license, passport, and other important legal documentation. Think about what would be hard to replace.
Scan a copy of your will. Your attorney may have a copy of this but it would be worth every penny to have this stored electronically.
As I write all of this I realize this is not comprehensive for everyone. But it’s a step in the right and organized direction and one we can all take.
I’d love to hear if you have any additional tips and suggestions. Please leave a comment or send me an email.