Taking a a few minutes to reflect on the rush of recovery activities post Hurricane Irene it is always worthwhile to share some notes from the field. There are some very basic tasks that everyone should consider when faced with a property disaster yet few really do. The chaos of these calamities whether the loss is significant in terms of dollars or time must be addressed to control the extent of the disruption.Here are a few of the most basic items from our "to do list" that we share with clients.
Take an inventory of your valuables and belongings. This includes taking photographs or a video of each room. This will help your insurance company process claims more quickly by providing documentation of your belongings.
• To enable filing claims more quickly, keep sales receipts and/or canceled checks. Also note the model and serial numbers of the items in your home inventory.
• To protect your belongings in case disaster strikes, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage and that your insurance policies are up to date.
• Store copies of all your insurance policies in a safe location away from your home that is easily accessible in case of disaster. You might want to store your policies and inventory in a waterproof, fireproof box or in a safe, remote location such as a bank safe deposit box. Consider leaving a copy of your inventory with relatives, friends or your insurance provider and store digital pictures in your email or on a Web site for easy retrieval.
Taking the elementary actions will significantly reduce your stress and anxiety when you suffer a loss. When you lessen the pressure you can better frame the disruptive issues and make the most effective decisions.
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