I need a database for estimating costs of personal property items (like clothing) for insurance claim.?

Question

I don't want to look up each individual item on the Internet--it is too time consuming. What do insurance adjusters use to determine value? Or public adjusters? sweaters, shirts, skirts, vintage clothes, coats, designers who are now gone from the scene, how can I find out the value?

Adjusters must have access to a variety of databases and bluebook type indexes. Where can the homeowner access these?

Answer 1

They have the book, I m not sure what it's called but it's more like a blue book. I don't think they go by each small items. they just assumed the number of items and go from there.
Try local library or search for insurance adjuster book or database, u might find something.

Answer 2

Adjusters have a little flyer, with the depreciation amounts for common items. It's cost new, less depreciation. Example: Clothing. Most clothing is fully depreciated by the time it's 3 years old. So, you have a dress. Estimated cost new, $80. It's four years old. Depreciated value: $0. Thrift store value - shirts, $2, skirts, $3, sweaters, $5 if they're cashmere, etc, is the best you're going to hope for for "vintage" clothing.

There isn't a database for this. If this is for YOUR claim, you're going to have to do the legwork if you want to claim it. Adjusters see hundreds of claims a week, after six months or so, they don't even look at the flyer any more, as they've seen thousands of items. If there's something that they think you're valuing too highly (Bunny Slippers, $50), they will likely ask you for proof for that item.

Answer 3

try some collector books from the library. other than doing a detailed search, you won't find a program which will determine value for you. it's far to complex and the collector market is to differentiated to be able to design any database. values are determined by what someone will pay for the item(s), though previous sales will be a guideline. most dealers will overprice things just to get what they think the real value is. sorry i can't tell you more.

Answer 4

you know.. we had a huge loss... I was luck and had videoed all our contents.. clothes and everything.. (Ins.Industry for 20+ yrs.) occasionally showed a mfg label for the cam corder.. I had nice clothes, pendleton blankets, etc...

So when the big one hit.. I went to the local Macy's. my tape....my agent had one, the duplicate was in the safe deposit box.. both dated and initialed y me and my agent (always a good idea. got out my cam corder and told the sales person that I needed prices on everything. They were happy.. commission, ya know... lol

I picked Macy's, because they could handle the kitchen stuff. then I did the same thing in the cosmetics dept... etc.... grocery store.. talked to the store manager, explained the situation and snagged a helpful young man and we get the pricing on everything.. Macy's put everything on excel for me.. ut then, commission, ya know.. lol

the groceries were the only thing I had to put on myself. the furniture store was happy do to a spread sheet on excel

Merge, merge.. TADA

copy to the adjuster.... they started out that they weren't compatible with excel..... I asked them if they wanted to buy it, or reimburse me for my time.. they got compatible. make 2 columns. you're entitled to new for old, with a paid receipt.

if the dress at Macy's isn't available anymore, then should find like kind and quality.... that's the price. the same thing for cosmetics. If they have upgraded their mascara.. it's yours.

Put it on a credit card at the beginning of your billing cycle, or the Ins Company is on the hook for your interest... they can issue payments in increments.. they can't expect you to purchase everything at once. on your excel sheet, leave column A as a small box so you can put a a date in it / date submitted / date ck rec'd adjusters are fallible just like everyone else. you'll be making a copy of the excel sheets every time you submit a purchased list of items. It helps when you have a friend that likes to shop. or get a personal shopper for the clothes.

We had that nasty mold.. so even our furniture went.... what a mess... if you have anymore problems let me know.. [e-mail]

DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE GOING TO GET DEPRECIATED VALUE FOR ANYTHING.

IF YOU HAVE REPLACEMENT COVERAGE ON YOUR HO.. THEN YOU GET REPLACEMENT COST.... NEW FOR OLD AS SOON AS YOU BUY IT.

EVEN IF YOU PURCHASE NEW FURNITURE... 8 YEAR OLD TV.. IF IT WAS A TOP OF THE LINE SONY THEN, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO THE SAME TOP OF THE LINE NOW.

Answer 5

I might suggest you to try this internet site where onel can get rates from different companies: http://QUOTESDEAL.NET/index.html?src=5YAWds13tGY73fDG1

RE :I need a database for estimating costs of personal property items (like clothing) for insurance claim.?
I don't want to look up each individual item on the Internet--it is too time consuming. What do insurance adjusters use to determine value? Or public adjusters? sweaters, shirts, skirts, vintage clothes, coats, designers who are now gone from the scene, how can I find out the value?
Update: Adjusters must have access to a variety of databases and bluebook type indexes. Where can the homeowner access these?
1 following 8 answers

Answer 6

Quicken home and business. Also turbo tax has an add on called "It's Deductible" which is great for estimating values for deduction purposes.

Answer 7

I refer all of my Home Owner customers to this website. It's a free home inventory program. I think this is what you are looking for.
http://www.knowyourstuff.org

Answer 8

Estimation and good luck.

Answer 9

I was wondering the same question myself today