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Insurance Department Urges
Texans to Conduct Home Inventory
AUSTIN – As the
June 1 start of hurricane season approaches, the
Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) is urging
homeowners and renters in Texas to conduct a
home inventory of their personal possessions.
“After a devastating event like a hurricane,
people often find it very difficult to remember
everything that was in their homes before
disaster struck,” said Audrey Selden, head of
TDI’s consumer protection division. “Whether you
have homeowners or renters insurance, taking
stock of your personal belongings ahead of time
is a simple and prudent way to protect your
assets and make sure the insurance coverage you
have is appropriate for your needs.”
Taking a home inventory isn't a complicated
process, but it will take some time. Going room
by room is a logical way to proceed. Don't
forget the garage and other storage areas. Make
an itemized list of all personal property in
each room, including furnishings, clothing and
valuables. Your list should be as complete and
detailed as possible. Your insurance company
will require a detailed list of your property
before paying you for any losses. Write down
model numbers and serial numbers for electronics
and, if possible, include copies of receipts in
the inventory.
A video recorder or a digital camera can make
the process even easier. Photograph or record
everything inside and outside your home. With a
video recorder you can describe the items as you
move from room to room. Open closet doors and
drawers to record items inside.
To assist consumers conducting a home inventory,
TDI has developed a checklist that can be
printed from its website at: http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/consumer/documents/cb086.pdf
Once you're done with the inventory, make copies
and find a safe place to keep the records
outside your home, such as in a safe deposit
box, at a friend or relative's home or on an
internet-based file system. Remember – your
inventory won't do you any good if it's
destroyed along with your property. Update your
home inventory at least annually.
In addition to conducting a home inventory, TDI
offers these tips to help ensure your home or
business is adequately protected:
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Review coverage
and policy limits; make sure you are insured to
the replacement value of your home.
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Find out whether
you need windstorm insurance. Contact: Texas
Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), (512)
899-4900 or visit its website at
www.twia.org.
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Consider flood
insurance; homeowner policies do not cover
damage caused by flood. Contact: National Flood
Insurance Program (NFIP), 1-888-FLOOD 29
(356-6329). Flood maps are available on the web
at:
www.msc.fema.gov
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Contact TDI if you
need more information. Call 1-800-252-3439 or
visit our website at
www.tdi.state.tx.us.
For more
information contact: PIO@tdi.state.tx.us
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