No pre-loss documentation

Helpful tips when a loss occurs and there is no pre-loss documentation

First: Plan of action:

Trying to create a list of all items you own and now are gone can be very stressful, so having a plan of how you are going to accomplish this will help.

It is helpful to have an inventory form to work from; your insurance company can provide you with an inventory list to work from.

Try to remember all the items that you owned and from that list create lost, missing or damaged items. Start with one room or area at a time. It is helpful to try to recreate the area and visualize all the items where the loss occurred. Draw a floor plan with placement of items; repeat this process several times as this may help you remember additional items each time you do this.

Second: List of all lost items now you need details:

Now that the list is completed, try to provide as much detailed information as you can find such as: make, model and serial numbers, brand names, values, place of purchase, include any photos of the items etc.


Tips on where to look and search for this information:

1. Contact places you normally shop, they may have records of items purchased

2. Walking through the store may trigger your memory

3. Friends/family may have photos or videos showing lost items

4. Family stories may help with recollecting

5. Gifts received, giver may have required information

6. Magazines, caloques may jog memory

7. Warranties, manuals, receipts etc.

8. Sources such as credit companies, bank statements ...

As you make your list, it is wise to take your time, you may want to make a note that this is a partial list, you may remember additional items later.

*Important to keep records of all contact persons, phone/e-mail and date contacted, during the claim process.

Home Inventory-Organize valuables

The home and contents are probably the largest investment and most valued asset, filled with monetary and sentimental items.
Some items can be replaced but at a cost while others are impossible to replace such as one of a kind or sentimental items.

Constantly at risk from fire, theft, water damage, floods and other natural disasters, most people do not have documentation information that can be referred to if a disaster occurs.

Purchasing insurance is not enough, should a claim be filed, it is to your advantage to have documentation to refer to that supports your claim for full reimbursement and expedites the claim process. This documentation is to your advantage not the insurance companies. Without this documentation, items could be remembered months after the loss. Equally important is having photos that show in great detail the conditions of the items, should they be sent out for repairs or their condition before a loss.

Most of us think of a home inventory just for insurance purposes, actually this documentation has value for other uses as well such as: recovery, moving, storing, travelling, legal, relationship dissolvement, organizing, budgeting and proof of ownership.

What is a Home Inventory?
A document, preferrably a detailed one showing your home contents.
The best type of inventory contains:
*photos date stamped (newspaper with date)
*photos detailing item condition (repairs/preloss condition)
*detailed item descriptions (make,serial/model)
*purchase info (date,place,price)
*updated values for items such as antiques
Information should be easily accessible and backup copies stored in a safe place away from home.

How often should this be updated?
I suggest getting into the habit of updating your inventory whenever a new item enters your home, this includes items you purchased and gifts received. Review your inventory at least annually and work with an easy, simple system that works for you, in making sure that once completed you can keep it up to date. January is a prime month to update your inventory with all the purchases and gifts that are in your home. A simple way of updating is to have a list with newly acquired items and enter this information into the inventory, every couple of months or whatever works for you.

Ask yourself: do you want to rely on just your memory? Pick a room, now jot down every item and detailed item information in that room; from memory. Include visible items, items tucked away in drawers and items stored off premises that often come back into the room, such as seasonal items. How accurate are you? This is what you will be asked for insurance/police report claims. Imagine trying to do this when you’re under stress, dealing with the frustrations of replacing the items and dealing with family emotions; do you feel confident that your memory will recollect everything.

A home inventory- it’s about knowing exactly what you own and having control when a situation occurs for proof of ownership. Even if you never use this documentation for claim purposes, just doing the exercise of documenting your possessions will provide you with a clear account of what you own. If you have never inventoried your contents, you may be shocked at what you actually own and where you spend the most money on.

Often people learn the real value of having an up to date home inventory, after a loss occurs. Don’t wait until you become one of them, do it today.

The simplest way to document your possessions is to take digital photos or video, then add the information at a later date. At least you have the visual; a picture is worth a thousand words.

Be prepared. Be protected.

Travel Current Photo ID

Summer is here and we’re busily making travel plans.
At the beach yesterday, a child had wandered off; luckily he was spotted further down the beach. This made me think, could that frantic mom have quickly described the child, what he was wearing, to help with the search?

A lot of you will be camping, day trips and long distance traveling; this is a reminder to keep a current photo of your child with you, always. If your child goes missing and you must enlist help with the search, having this photo at your fingertips will save valuable time.

Tips for Photo ID

1) Carry a current photo ID of your child. Prior to taking a vacation, one of the first things we do is organize our wallets and often photos are left at home.

2) Digital Camera or Cell Phone Camera-Take a photo of your child each morning dressed for the day, - if the child gets lost, this information is at your fingertips.
If the camera/cell phone get lost you will at least have a current photo in your wallet.

3) Having the children all wear the same brightly colored hats or shirts helps in spotting them quickly in a crowd. On an outing with the kindergarten class to the zoo it was easy to spot children from the same school. Suggest this to your teachers when they send out Field Trip notices.

4) Traveling with elderly parents who have medical conditions etc, take their photos as well. It’s easy for them to become confused and wander away. Being busy with children, you may not have paid attention to what they wore or carried.

5) Remember your pets, take photos and carry info (tag/tattoo)

Hope these tips will remind you to take photos; hopefully you will never have to use them except to put into your photo album.
Be prepared. Be Protected.

Family Info Binder

In my business of helping individuals document what is valuable in their life and be prepared for the unexpected, I encourage the use of a Family Info Binder.

A simple binder system that you can put together yourself that is
available to each family member containing frequently used information.
Customize this to fit your family & lifestyle and be organized.

Family Info Binder Tips:

Emergency information – contacts in an emergency
What to do in an emergency-
Contact information –school (teachers) doctors, dentists…
Baby Sitting Instructions-
Medical Records- allergies-food & drugs –
Pet information-
School Information- handouts, forms, lists, sports
Forms- photo copy several to have on hand

Designate a message center for keeping:
Messages- blackboard, post it notes
Mail
Calendar- 1 calendar with all information
Family Info Binder

Having this information prepared ahead of time, readily available in one spot saves time, helps alieviate stress and frustration.

Everything in one place.
Be Prepared. Be protected.

Organized Wallet

Recently I spotted a person who was frantically searching through their bulging wallet trying to find the money to pay for their purchases meanwhile papers and cards were falling to the floor. Once everything was back in the wallet there was a problem in trying to close it. As she was leaving, another customer reached down and picked up a card on the floor that she had missed. Luckily the card was returned to the owner, it could have been another story had that card been spotted by an untrusting person. There are many bulging, unorganized wallets out there, causing stress, frustration and embarrassment to their owners, not to mention the huge possibility of identity theft leading to financial problems.

It made me think how personal we can all get with our wallet which holds not only money but credit cars, gift cards, membership cards, restaurant cards, business cards, family photos, receipts and identification information.

While it takes time to organize your wallet, the reality is saved time, emotions and peace of mind in knowing what information and cash you are carrying around with you.

Most of us spend more time in purchasing the right wallet then actually organizing it. Today wallets seem to be larger, to protect yourself only carry what is absolutely essential.

Tips to organize your wallet
1) Empty contents and put into categories
2) File receipts- coupon folder/zip-lock bags
3) Credit Cards etc.-only current cards used daily
4) Cards not used daily file at home
5) Drivers License, Medical cards-store in plastic sleeve
6) Money-bills in one spot, numerically for easy access/amount you have
7) Coins are bulky-store in a separate change purse
8) Photos- while it is important to carry family ID photos, a good
alternative is a mini family album separate from your wallet

Ask yourself, how quickly can you make a list of everything you have in your wallet now, do you know who to contact for each card and what information they will require? Having this information prepared ahead of time could prevent use of stolen card, identity theft; the last thing you want is to be searching frantically for your stolen credit card companies phone numbers.

Theft Protection Tips I learned first hand
1)Photocopy contents of wallet
-credit cards and all other id information
-copy front and back
- use safe copier
2) Make an information list with details such as
-name of card, institution, phone # for stolen cards, expiry dates
3) Shed or cut up expired or cards no longer used
4) Passwords, Pin #s do not store in wallet
5) Photos – should not have child’s name, phone number on back
6) Social security card, passports- store at home until needed
7) Cheques carry alot of info- take steps to protect yourself

How do I know this, a few years ago I had lost my wallet and was not prepared with this information. Luckily my wallet was returned by an honest person.
The stress that I put myself and my family through could have been avoided.
Just organize your wallet and lighten the load.
Be prepared. Be protected.

Summer Maintenace Tips

v Perform fire escape plan with your children.

v Check batteries in smoke detector in every bedroom and on every floor.

v Have summer rules and supervise your children.

v Teach children to never go to public washrooms themselves.

v Teach your children about water and plant safety.

v Inspect helmets, knee, elbow pads and all protective gear.

v Check backyard and toys for safety to children.

v Check lawn for twigs and stones when mowing.

v Clean, inspect and make barbeque season safe for children.

v Keep lighter fluid, chemicals, pesticides out of children’s reach.

v Keep doors locked, especially front door if you’re out back.

v Each night check your children and yourself for bites and treat accordingly.

v Remember sunscreen, especially small children, keep them protected.

v Repair stairs and decks – make entrance and exit safe.

v Check fire extinguishers and replace or recharge if needed.

v Create a Home Inventory or Update your present home inventory.