No one likes to think about the possibility of a disaster. Regardless of what type it is, going through such a traumatic time is devastating for anyone. If you are not adequately prepared, the aftermath of a disaster can be almost as serious as the experience itself.
Protecting your property means being prepared in every possible way. There are many steps that you can take to minimize the ripple effects created from a disaster. Here are a few things that you can do to protect yourself and your property in the event of a loss.
Since it will be up to you to prove your losses, it is important that you have a detailed inventory of all of your possessions. This includes the contents, as well as the structure, whether it is a home or business. Pictures are fine, but ideally, video offers an additional point of view and it gives a complete summary of the property that might have been missed in the pictures.
Any belongings or contents that are worth more than a few hundred dollars should be photographed, and/or videoed. Anything that can be used as proof of their original cost or value is also helpful, such as sales receipts, appraisals, etc. After all of this information has been compiled you will want to keep these records in a safe location. You can either store them in a fireproof safe in your home, or the better choice would be to use a safety deposit box at your bank, or an off-site location.
Around your home, a good idea is to unplug appliances after their use. This helps to eliminate additional loss in the event of a fire, or lightning. An added bonus is that this will reduce your energy bills, since appliances continue to draw current, even when they are not turned on.
The last point is to make sure you maintain proper insurance coverage. The importance of this cannot be stressed enough. For homeowners, this means opting for replacement cost value coverage for your possessions. There is additional coverage that is also helpful such as sewer and water backup coverage, or policies that cover additional living expenses that will be incurred during the recovery. Discuss these options with your insurance agent.
Businesses have their own specific policies to provide the greatest levels of protection. The best choice is always replacement cost value. It is important to specify all of the details so that there are no ramifications later due to improper coverage.