Home Inventory: 
Know Your Stuff
by Joanne Harrington

Most people know that a homeowners or rental insurance policy is crucial when it comes to protecting your home from a fire or other disaster. However, if you want to safeguard your valuables from the unexpected, there’s another important document you may be overlooking: a home inventory.
 

If disaster strikes and your home and belongings are destroyed, a home inventory makes the insurance claims process a lot simpler, and it helps you get your possessions replaced quicker. While creating this inventory may be a time-consuming task, it doesn’t have to be completely daunting. Check out the following simple tips for compiling your home inventory:

• Details, details, details. A home inventory includes a comprehensive list of all your belongings, along with receipts, photos, and descriptions.
  
• Divide and conquer. Instead of making one long list of your items, break it down by room and/or type of item, such as clothing, heirlooms, electronics, and jewelry. This will make the home inventory less overwhelming and decrease the chances that you’ll overlook something.
  
• Know what your stuff is worth. If you have antiques, family heirlooms, or other valuables that don’t have receipts, you may want to have them appraised in order to determine their value.
  
• Look behind closed doors. When taking your inventory, make sure you don’t overlook items that are stored in the closet, drawers, attic, or garage. Bicycles, holiday decorations, and sports equipment may be out of sight, but their cost adds up. Make sure you include everything – even if it’s in storage – on your list.
  
• Add it up. Once you have a full document of all your belongings, along with their values, add up all the items in your home and their total cost.
  
• Keep it safe. Store your complete home inventory with your insurance policy in a safe, easily accessible place, such as a fireproof box, safe deposit box, or other secure location.
  
• Take stock annually. Remember to review and update your inventory each year, or whenever you make a significant purchase, to ensure your new items are documented

Joanne Harrington is the owner of the Harrington Insurance Agency located on 416 Ganttown Road in Washington Twp.

The Harrington Insurance Agency was established in 1985 and thanks to your support continues to serve the South Jersey area for all of its personal lines insurance needs.

Please Call Joanne at 856-256-7878 for questions on life, group health or long term care insurance or view her web site at: http://www.theharringtonagency.com/index.cfm

In addition, please see Joanne’s printable Coupon Ad in our MarketPlace. Remember to mention Women of Gloucester County when you call Joanne