OK, the worst has happened. You have arrived home to discover that you have had an uninvited visitor.
The door to your abode is ajar when it should be firmly locked and the
place has been ransacked. You experience a raft of emotions, anger,
fear, shock, even regret and foolishness that you didn't get around to
beefing up your home security as you had often promised yourself that
you would do.
Crime reported, craftsman called in to repair the door and fit a more
secure lock. Place straightened up. What now? You have insurance that
lightens the burden a little. You will need to make a claim.
So what exactly was stolen?
Well there was the television, the empty space that it used to occupy
before the low life burglar carried it away was one of the first things
that you noticed when you arrived home to discover the burglary. What
brand was it and which model? What was the serial number?
You can remember the brand, that's a start, but you don't have a clue as to the model or the serial number.
How much did you pay for it and how long did you have it? Can't
remember the exact cost, only a very vague figure comes to mind but you
are quite sure that you purchased the television two years ago, wait a
second, time flies it could have been three years ago.
And that is just one item. What about all the rest of your stuff that
was stolen? Can you name the make and model of the CD player that you
had rigged up in the den, its age and cost?
How about those family heirlooms that you kept in a box in a draw, all
gone now. Do you know their value? How about grandfather's pocket
watch, can you describe it accurately? Did it have Roman or Arabic
numerals on the dial?
A burglary is a bad enough thing to suffer, but a house fire is likely
to take all of your possessions away from you. How do you make your
claim to the insurance company then? How can you possibly remember, in
the aftermath of such a trauma, every single thing that you have lost
that was of any value?
The answer is to take action before the event. Make an inventory of all
your possessions, listing the date of purchase, the cost and where
applicable any serial numbers.
Having an inventory of all the valuables in your home could prove to be
just what you need should you suffer a burglary, fire or other
disaster. The list would help you to assess exactly what has been
stolen or damaged - a very difficult thing to do if you rely on memory
alone. And the information about the age and value of your belongings
is exactly what your insurance company will need to know when you make
a claim.
Your insurance company will want you to justify the amount that you are
claiming and your home inventory list can make all the
difference. If you keep your inventory up to date by recording
new items you buy, and by keeping photographic records of your
possessions you can greatly improve your chances of success if it comes
to making a claim on your insurance.
If you are compiling your home inventory list yourself you will find
the task much easier if you use downloadable inventory software, many
examples of which are available online. The other option is to use a
home inventory service.
Most homeowners find using a home inventory specialist brings many advantages.
The service will either help you with explicit advice on how to prepare
your inventory or, better still, organize and carry out the job for
you. Should you experience a loss through burglary, fire or flood the
home inventory service will present your claim to your insurance
company in a preferred format. This will often mean that your claim is
settled sooner and fuller. In the event of making a large claim you
will appreciate a settlement as soon as possible.
Martin Underwood contributes his writings about home security, personal
security and vehicle security to Surveillance For
Security The site that presents reviews and information
about the best in home security products and ideas.
Glass Break Sensors
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
