How to document your way to a bigger insurance check
ByMr. Mark Decherd
Insurance and Leasing RSS Feed
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: document, document, document. This is the key to getting a bigger insurance check. After all, the burden of proof is on you, not the insurance company. So, how do you document your way to a bigger insurance check? Here’s how:
First, think ahead. Documenting your property before a loss is one of the best steps you can take. Start by taking a video camera and going through your house, room by room. Videotape everything and narrate as you do so. For example, in your bedroom, take a wide, sweeping shot of the room and say, “This is the master bedroom located in the northeast corner of the house.” Then focus on individual items such as the bed, again discussing specifics such as “Notice the king size bed which is dressed in an expensive down comforter by Ralph Lauren and topped with dozens of designer pillows.” Zoom in on the labels. Record everything including the contents of your closet and drawers. Focus on details such as the model and serial number of your flat screen television.
Once you have a video, store it in a safe place such as a safe deposit box and add to it each year. An excellent option is to make a digital video and store the video securely and privately online. Should a loss occur, you can easily access the video from anywhere in the world. Likewise, you can give your insurance adjuster access to the file as needed. Similarly, you can do the same with photos.
As you purchase new items, keep your receipts. These could prove invaluable should you ever have a loss. In addition, create a detailed inventory of your property and update it as needed. For example, use a spreadsheet and list each room along with its contents and their details including price, model number, serial number, etc. Update this file whenever you make a purchase. Again, store it in a safe location or online.
Okay, so you have a loss but you didn’t think ahead and you do not have a video. It’s not too late. Document the damage now. Take pictures and video of everything, again paying attention to details. For example, if your home is flooded, take pictures of the standing water and the damaged contents as well as the structural damage, inside and out.
Create a list of everything you can think of. Do this methodically by going room by room just as you would have done when making a video. For example, if your home burnt down, you may have only your memory and it can be overwhelming. Break it down by room and work through your memory of that room in a clockwise fashion such as Wall 1, Wall 2, Wall 3, and Wall 4. Wall 1 may have had a desk, dresser, mirror, and television, Wall 2 may have been the walk-in closet, Wall 3 may have had two nightstands, a painting, and the bed. Once you have the basics, drill down. What was in the dresser? What was on top of the dresser? Keep remembering and keep writing – one room at a time.
Finally, get estimates for repairs and replacements, gather receipts and past credit card statements, put together a file or disc containing all of your supporting videos and photographs and have these readily available to show your insurance adjuster.
Dryout® Inc. 1415 Colonial Blvd. Fort Myers, Fl. 33907 Mr. Mark Decherd http://www.dryout.net 239-437-7100 Water Damage Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water and fire damage repair services by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.
Related Articles, Information, Products And Links
Related Articles on Insurance and Leasing
- Principles of Insurance
- Leasing
- Basics of Auto Insurance
- How to Boost your Insurance Payout on Property Damage Claims
- Lease portfolio, pos equipment rental, Finance Solutions, Equipment lease financing, Check 21 Processing solutions.
- Filing an Insurance Claim? Expect To Fight Your Own Insurance Policy
- Humana Health Takes Care Of You During These Trying Times
- People Having Trouble Finding Affordable Health Insurance
- Affordable Short Term Health Insurance Plans Help You To Temporarily Stop Worrying About Your Future Health
- Learn More To Reduce Your Healthcare Costs
- Medicare Insurance Plans For California People
- Medigap California To Help You On Your Healthcare Matter
- The Policy That Secure Your Life
- The differences between insurance policy and option contract
- What is auto insurance?
- Life assurance
- Features of Courier Insurance
- Find the Best Individual Health Insurance Quotes Easily From Online
- Car insurance secrets, 8 secrets your car insurer won't tell you.
- Water Related Issues Responsible for Most Insurance Claims
Latest Articles on Insurance and Leasing
-
The Policy That Secure Your Life
You can easily find out the best Medicare supplement plan for you if you work out a bit methodically. Try to get the contracts of the agents of the Medicare supplement insurance companies so that they can provide you the details of their Medicare supplement insurance policies.... -
Medigap California To Help You On Your Healthcare Matter
The important information that you should know before you start reading this page: Medicare does not cover the whole cost of healthcare desired by mature adults. It takes care of few things like ingoing hospital costs and the related expenses that come with it. This is the reason to think about a supplementary plan that may help you in the time of emergency.... -
Medicare Insurance Plans For California People
Those who are looking for information on Medicare supplement insurance can be benefited by going through this page. Alone with the other places, California people also can choose their Medigap insurance plans that depends upon their requirement and eligibility. Medicare supplement insurance companies in California offer insurance in two different plans.... -
Learn More To Reduce Your Healthcare Costs
The reason we go for Medicare insurance is to cut down the costs we spend for our treatment in hospital or for medication and so on. This is also a matter of security we try to get for our own and the family for emergency purpose. Again, the need of this kind of insurance varies from one individual to another depending on their age and physical condition.... -
Affordable Short Term Health Insurance Plans Help You To Temporarily Stop Worrying About Your Future Health
If you don’t have health insurance, an affordable short term health insurance plan can help you get the medical care you need. So contact a health insurance provider in your area today to inquire about purchasing an affordable short term health insurance plan. You will undoubtedly be more than happy that you did.... -
People Having Trouble Finding Affordable Health Insurance
There are hundreds of thousands of people out there looking for affordable health insurance but are having terrible trouble finding any at all. Students and unemployed people have an especially hard time finding anything but there are plenty of other normal working people that are having no luck as well.... -
Humana Health Takes Care Of You During These Trying Times
Building the perfect health insurance plan is important once you join Humana health. Our number one goal is customer service through great doctors, dentists, and other medical professionals. We also provide great customer service through all of our employees at Humana. Knowing you are taken care of is our main goal as a health care insurance provider.... -
An Affordable Health Insurance Plan Can Help You To Get Extensive Coverage For Your Entire Family.
If you shop around, you will be able to find a provider that offers affordable health insurance plans. You have to be aware that your personal health is your most prized possession. There are a number of options available to you that can allow you to find an affordable health insurance plan that can help you plan for your family’s financial future.... -
A Humana Health Plan Is Perfect For You And Your Family
Humana health has only the best medical providers in their network. With the best people on our side, we know our clients will be satisfied. Join the Humana family and you will soon find that we care about you and your family as much as we do our own.... -
Humana Gold Plan Serves All Your Medicare Needs
With a Humana Gold Medicare plan you are ensured top-notch care at an affordable price. At Humana, we want you to know you are covered and feel confident with our health care insurance plans. Please call one of our superior customer service agents today to learn more about each of our Humana health care insurance plans. Join our Humana family today!...
