Home Inventory

A Picture is Worth Thousands

"Jade elephant with ivory tusks. 
  Bought in Africa in 1953." 
The description doesn't do justice to the item as well as the picture, does it?  My grandmother brought back a pair of these solid Jade elephants from one of my grandfather's business trips. He worked for Ford Motor Co for almost 50 years. And trips to places like Africa were a part of his job. The elephants are unusual items. And a picture to supplement a time/place of purchase  and market value can make a difference.  

   No one thinks their house will burn down. Or get ripped to shreds in a tornado. And let's be honest- the odds are against it. But not everyone will beat the odds. What if it is you?  Do you have the tools in place to make sure your insurance does everything it is supposed to do for you? 
   Insurance is in place to make you whole in the event of a loss. Insurance cannot replace the sentimentality of Mom's ring or Grandma's china. But it can make sure the things that can be replace are replaced. But contrary to what many people think, your insurance carrier will not just take your word for what you had and cut you a check for the amount listed as your Personal Property coverage on your policy.
How can you make sure what you own is covered/replaced in the case of a loss?
  1. Make sure you have an insurance policy in place with an A-rated carrier that is legally certified through the Texas Department of Insurance (or whichever state you live in). 
  2. Make sure you have enough insurance to cover your home, plus your personal property. Talk to your agent about this. Discuss any special items you may have. Things like expensive electronics or specialty collections like guns, coins or art, are good things to discuss with your agent.
  3. Make a Home inventory list. This is very important. Put together as much information as possible for the list. Date of purchase and current market value are the minimum. I definitely encourage you to take pictures or even video.  Unusual items, like my elephants, can be questioned. Just because you have receipts, doesn't mean you still had the items when the loss occurred. A picture (especially a dated one!) will prove possession. This is just an added protection. 

   Insurance carriers are in the business of protecting your home, car, possessions, etc. But as much as we wish they were, they are not in it out of the goodness of their hearts. It is big business. This is just the way it is. So make sure you have documentation upon documentation of what you are insuring. Protect yourself! You are paying a pretty penny for insurance these days. Make sure you get those pennies back if you suffer a loss. 

Questions on your Home, Auto, or Commercial Insurance?
Contact Brockman Premier Insurance  or call toll free at 877-987-8683 today
and let us Keep You Insured!
Visit our website as well! www.wekeepuinsured.com