Perfectly Imperfect Family and Finances

Posted By Mr. Imperfect on May 20, 2008

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There are many times when unforeseeable events can cause you to lose your dwelling and/or possessions. Fire, flood, tornado, theft, and the list goes on. One way to make the aftermath of these events a little less stressful is to have a home inventory for insurance purposes. We of course are assuming that whether you be a home owner or renter, you should have some type of insurance to cover your belongings in case of stated emergencies.

First, try an exercise with me. If you are reading this at home, think of a room other than the one you are in. Lets say the living room. Now create a list of all the items in that room from memory that you would need replaced should they be destroyed or stolen. After you have your list, go to the room and look at your results. Surprised? I was, in my living room alone there were six items that I had missed that would easily total close to five hundred dollars. Now imagine trying to recall this information while looking at the smoking embers of your home.

Here are a few suggestions that we have come across:

1. Use a video recorder and walk through your house Video every room in your house while narrating as you go. if you know the brand and estimated cost of an item, mention that as well, if not just try to record everything you see. Also, record everything you do not see-closets, drawers, cabinet space, and anywhere else that your store things.
2. Take pictures of it all Use a camera to take pictures of everything. If you use a digital camera, use a simple photo editor such as gimpshop to add text to your pictures and save the file on a disc or flash drive. If you use film and actually have the pictures developed, write on the back of each what is in the picture as well as brand and estimated value.
3. Lastly, use old fashioned pencil and paper If you do not have access to the above equipment, fret not. Just take a plain piece of paper and a pencil to each room and write down all the items you see with an estimated value.

This is not something that has to be completed in one day. We are trying to do a couple rooms at a time. Another thing I would like to mention is that on our appliances and electronics we are writing down the model and serial numbers as well.

The most IMPORTANT thing of all!! Once you have your information together, get it out of your house! I actually came across the story of an individual who said he spent close to one hundred and sixty hours meticulously documenting all that he owned. He then locked up this information very securely where in a fire proof box that could withstand heat of six thousand degrees for over an hour. They have yet to figure out where the tornado threw the safe!

Here are some online resources regarding this topic:

knowyourstuff.org Free software and .pdf list.

Insurance Information Institue Great Info.

Allstate Allstate’s free tools.

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Category: Family, Finances
Tags: gimpshop, home insurance, Home inventory, insurance, inventory