Proof of Assets
Do You Have Proof of What You Own
By Jan Hayner
Last year hurricane Katrina was a wide opening experience for many people. They had to place claims to their insurance companies for everything they owned, because now it was totally gone. Furniture had floated away, homes were demolished, cars were missing and life was destroyed.
How many of these people didn’t have proof of what they owned?
All of their insurance papers were lost, the car titles, credit card numbers, papers they needed to file their income taxes, a listing of the medication that they had to take and the dosages, and they didn’t have anything!
Insurance companies tell you that you need proof of everything; model numbers, serial numbers, VIN numbers, what you paid for it, when and where you bought it, color, size, description and some require a picture of the item. Unfortunately, because it takes so long to do this many people ignore what the insurance companies tell them to do. They are telling you this for your own good and so that you get your money faster.
Sure, organized filing cabinets are great, especially at tax time, but you cannot load up your filing cabinet in the middle of a flood or fire. So, what is the next best thing?
A comprehensive listing of everything that is in your possession.
Yes, this is going to take a little time to do especially if you don’t have a good filing system to begin with, but as long as you are going to get organized why not do it all at one time.
Make your lists as you set up your filing system and have all of the information that you need in a 3-booklet format that will save your life; Records, Purchases and Repairs.
It will help you to get the money that you need to replace all of these things in a fast and easy way. Your insurance agent will be able to fill out the papers, process the claim and release a check a lot faster with your help.
Many places have this type of system that you can get for free, although it isn’t very complete and you will be missing information. There are also sites on the internet that you can find where you can purchase these books at a very reasonable price. There are books on the market to help you along and it is a smart person that takes the time to fill these out and secure your life that you have worked so hard to achieve.
Don’t you want to secure your future? Don’t you think that this would be the number one thing to do on a person’s agenda for organizing their life? Are you ready in case of an emergency? Is your family ready? These are serious questions that you need to ask yourself.
The first thought that everyone has, is that it isn’t going to happen to me! Well, the person it happened to thought the same thing and look what happened to him or her. What if you have a fire, the sewer system backs up, or a tree the neighbor is cutting down falls on your house with your brand new TV. in it? Sounds ridiculous? No, it happens everyday to someone that thought that it wouldn’t happen to him or her. Keep in mind that is why they call it accidents. No one plans something to destroy his or her lives!
Be safe, guard your possessions and have a list of everything that you possess and be ready….just in case!
Get your system at Home Inventory/Asset Record Keeping.
© Jan Hayner Easy Home Organizing books, tips and shortcuts. http://www.organizingyourlifetheeasyway.com Get your Free booklets “50 Things To Organize In 10 Minutes or Less” and “Guiltbusters For The Working Mom”.