Renters insurance? What proof do I need?

Question

I just bought a renters insurance policy through assurant and they did not ask me what items I have. If I were to have a fire or a theft how would they be able to tell how much money to pay out or would I just be out of luck?

Answer 1

When you have a fire claim - your insurance company will give you a personal property inventory form to complete. On it - you would list how many of each item you have - about how old it is and about what it cost.

Now - how many pairs of socks do you own? How many forks, spoons etc.

Get it - pretty tough to do. Especially if everything is all burned up.

The way to make it easy on yourself - take a video camera - walk around your house and video every thing you own - open up drawers - closets etc. Make comment if you want to.
Put the video and all your important papers in a safe deposit box at your local bank. This way- if you were to have a fire in your home - your important papers and the video would be safe. Update the video every 1 -2 years.

That way - if you ever have a big loss - you can play the video and use that to help you list all of your items.

Answer 2

Once a year, or after any major purchase take a video of your whole place. Make sure that you are covered for any computer equipment. You could also start an inventory list that you update. On this list you should put the purchase price. You should check to make sure that your policy covers replacement price and not depreciated prices. This will cost a little more, but if something happens, you should get enough to actually replace your items.

Answer 3

scan your receipts if you have a hard time keeping receipts. yeah, receipts are best. may want to send them a letter [email] with a call as a followup, inviting the agent to stop by and do an visual inventory of the goods in question. you can also videotape the stuff. they may balk about coming out, but put it in an email first, so you have a copy. maybe scan to your computer the video clips. keep it in an online storage if considerably expensive.

Answer 4

The policy of the insurance.

Answer 5

photos, videos, and receipts are all valid methods of proof. It's super easy, to take a video camera and just walk around your apartment - you can take close ups of the serial numbers, and store the images online.

Answer 6

all you need is their policy and your paid up reciept.... Then you make a list and what you paid for them.. The will discount you but you will get paid... Good luck Grant M in Pennsylvania

Answer 7

Photograph and Reciepts
all in fire safe box (3hr minimum rating)
or fire safe box (2hr rating) in bank safe deposit box.