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