NORTHBROOK, Ill., March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Getting organized
is one of the most common New Year's
resolutions and, for those getting a late start, spring cleaning is
a great opportunity for redemption. For a first step that pays
dividends down the road, Allstate recommends creating a home
inventory. It's one of the most important things you can do to get
organized and, in addition to having proper homeowners' or renters'
insurance coverage, protect your possessions.
In the blink of an eye, your home and all of your belongings
could disappear. Do you know what you have? Could you list and
describe your possessions so they could be replaced?
"Disaster or theft can strike at any time," said Paul Tracey, director for Allstate. "An accurate
and up-to-date home inventory can help make the recovery process
easier on you and your family."
Tools, such as the Allstate® Digital Locker™ application for
iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, can help you check off each of these
recommended steps in the home inventory process:
- Categorize your list. Organize your catalog of personal
property by room, category or in item lists to make your list more
manageable and help make sure your list is inclusive of all your
important items.
- Include photos and videos of your items. Whenever
possible, make sure your home inventory list includes photographs
or video of your belongings. Take periodic videos of each room in
your house, and focus on individual items in each room. Take
additional photos or video of smaller items like jewelry, silver
and related valuables or keepsakes.
- Attribute notes, cost and quantity to each item. It's
helpful if you can include make, model, serial numbers, receipts,
cost, and date of purchase for all items in your home
inventory.
- Secure your information. Whether you store your
information on paper or electronically, make sure your information
is locked away with a key or password. You wouldn't want a complete
list of valuable items in your home to fall into the wrong
hands.
- Store your home inventory in a smart place. Wherever you
store your home inventory list, it's best that the location is far
enough away from your home that it won't be lost in the same event
that may destroy your house, yet close enough that it's easily
accessible in a time of need. Consider storing in a safe deposit
box, your workplace or with a friend or relative.
- Include your insurance and agency information for quick
reference. Particularly after experiencing a loss, you may have
a hard time finding the information you need about your insurance
policy and to contact your agency as quickly as you'd like.
Including this with your list will help to make sure you have
everything you need, when you need it.
- Update after a significant purchase or gift. While you
should be updating your home inventory periodically, make a special
effort to do so after any major purchase, holidays or
birthdays.
About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest
publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the
"You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate is
reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million
households insure what they have today and better prepare for
tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home,
life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies,
independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial
representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and
1-800 Allstate®.
Contact:
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Stephanie Sheppard
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(847) 402-5600
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Stephanie.Sheppard@allstate.com
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SOURCE Allstate