| OK, the worst has happened. You have arrived | | | | make your claim to the insurance company |
| home to discover that you have had an | | | | then? How can you possibly remember, in the |
| uninvited visitor. | | | | aftermath of such a trauma, every single |
| | | | thing that you have lost that was of any |
| The door to your abode is ajar when it should | | | | value? |
| be firmly locked and the place has been | | | | |
| ransacked. You experience a raft of emotions, | | | | The answer is to take action before the |
| anger, fear, shock, even regret and | | | | event. Make an inventory of all your |
| foolishness that you didn't get around to | | | | possessions, listing the date of purchase, |
| beefing up your home security as you had | | | | the cost and where applicable any serial |
| often promised yourself that you would do. | | | | numbers. |
| | | | |
| Crime reported, craftsman called in to repair | | | | Having an inventory of all the valuables in |
| the door and fit a more secure lock. Place | | | | your home could prove to be just what you |
| straightened up. What now? You have insurance | | | | need should you suffer a burglary, fire or |
| that lightens the burden a little. You will | | | | other disaster. The list would help you to |
| need to make a claim. | | | | assess exactly what has been stolen or |
| | | | damaged - a very difficult thing to do if you |
| So what exactly was stolen? | | | | rely on memory alone. And the information |
| | | | about the age and value of your belongings is |
| Well there was the television, the empty | | | | exactly what your insurance company will need |
| space that it used to occupy before the low | | | | to know when you make a claim. |
| life burglar carried it away was one of the | | | | |
| first things that you noticed when you | | | | Your insurance company will want you to |
| arrived home to discover the burglary. What | | | | justify the amount that you are claiming and |
| brand was it and which model? What was the | | | | your home inventory list can make all the |
| serial number? | | | | difference. If you keep your inventory up to |
| | | | date by recording new items you buy, and by |
| You can remember the brand, that's a start, | | | | keeping photographic records of your |
| but you don't have a clue as to the model or | | | | possessions you can greatly improve your |
| the serial number. | | | | chances of success if it comes to making a |
| | | | claim on your insurance. |
| How much did you pay for it and how long did | | | | |
| you have it? Can't remember the exact cost, | | | | If you are compiling your home inventory list |
| only a very vague figure comes to mind but | | | | yourself you will find the task much easier |
| you are quite sure that you purchased the | | | | if you use downloadable inventory software, |
| television two years ago, wait a second, time | | | | many examples of which are available online. |
| flies it could have been three years ago. | | | | The other option is to use a home inventory |
| | | | service. |
| And that is just one item. What about all the | | | | |
| rest of your stuff that was stolen? Can you | | | | Most homeowners find using a home inventory |
| name the make and model of the CD player that | | | | specialist brings many advantages. |
| you had rigged up in the den, its age and | | | | |
| cost? | | | | The service will either help you with |
| | | | explicit advice on how to prepare your |
| How about those family heirlooms that you | | | | inventory or, better still, organize and |
| kept in a box in a draw, all gone now. Do you | | | | carry out the job for you. Should you |
| know their value? How about grandfather's | | | | experience a loss through burglary, fire or |
| pocket watch, can you describe it accurately? | | | | flood the home inventory service will present |
| Did it have Roman or Arabic numerals on the | | | | your claim to your insurance company in a |
| dial? | | | | preferred format. This will often mean that |
| | | | your claim is settled sooner and fuller. In |
| A burglary is a bad enough thing to suffer, | | | | the event of making a large claim you will |
| but a house fire is likely to take all of | | | | appreciate a settlement as soon as possible. |
| your possessions away from you. How do you | | | | |