I know you’re here to win a Kodak Easyshare C122 Silver 8.1MP Digital Camera. But let me tell you a quick, but important story, before I get into the entry process.
The hardest part about working in the insurance industry, as an independent insurance agent, was getting the phone call from a client about a loss. Especially when that loss incurred inside of their own home due to theft or fire.
On the initial phone call, one of the first questions I would ask was, “OK. What did you loose?”
A bit out of sorts, the client responds, “Umm. Let’s see here. A lot of stuff. Like my computer. Cash. TV. Stuff like that.”
I would keep badgering the client to give me more of the details, but generally, there was always something important they forget. I really can’t blame the client for leaving something out. After all, they just went through an emotional event. However, in order to fully reimburse a client for their loss, I need to know exactly what they owned. If they don’t know what they owned, I can’t get the insurance company to reimburse them.
The solution to this is to take inventory of your possessions. The process sounds complex, but as with all things, technology makes it a lot easier. The National Association of Insurance Commissions (NAIC) has many free resources to make the home inventory process simple. They offer:
- A Home Inventory Checklist
- An iPhone Application that lets you “quickly capture images, descriptions, bar codes and serial numbers of your prized possessions. The app organizes information room by room and even creates a back-up file for email sharing.”
The resources that the NAIC provides are available for free.
If you haven’t already done so, make capturing a home inventory a priority. With the resources from the NAIC, it should take no longer than a weekend afternoon.
How to Enter
There are different three ways you can enter.
- Comment on this post about the first possession you would photograph, when compiling your home inventory.
- Like Gen Y Wealth on Facebook and leave a comment on your favorite recent post. If you’re already a fan of Gen Y Wealth on Facebook, you can still enter– just Like a recent post on Gen Y Wealth and leave a comment on that thread.
- Tweet the following, “I entered to win a digital camera from @rjweiss of Gen Y Wealth and NAIC”
You can enter yourself into all three categories. Each category counts as a separate entry. Therefore, by entering into all three, you give yourself the greatest chance of winning.
Selecting the Winner
On Monday, March 28th, at 12 P.M. Central Time I will select the winner. I’ll assign each entry a random number than use random.org to select a number.
I’ll post a video of the process on this page, along with sharing the news on Twitter and on Facebook.
Good Luck!
Update: Congratulations to The Bucksome Boomer for winning the digital camera.
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey RJ! Awesome giveaway!
The first possession I would photograph is my Macbook! Definitely the most valuable thing I own. I would also make sure to document the serial number.
Whether I win or not, I pledge to inventory my stuff. I know it’s something I need to do a better job of, and I’m glad you’ve passed on this info to help.
First thing I would photograph? My laptop. It’s not worth all that much, being a several-years-old Dell that I bought used for $325 in 2007, but it’s how I make my income. Second thing would be the software I use with it, because that’s the other indispensable item.
Hi RJ, great post, been reading a few articles about this lately. I have renter’s insurance, but to your first statements, that only really works when one knows what he’s lost.
The first thing I’d photograph is my closet. Not simply because of the clothes and normal stuff, but I store a lot of boxes for items around the house, so that’ll help me remember items if I never get around to photographing my X-Box and TV in my living room!
I would photograph our Laptops. My DH uses his for school.
I would probably photograph my book collection. No one book is all that valuable, but together they are worth quite a bit. Not to mention that I use many of them for work, so if they were gone it would make things a little more difficult.
I would probably take a cheesy shot of my spouse…but since my spouse would not be covered in a home inventory, I would take a picture of my Hans Wagner papa bear chairs. They are the most comfortable chairs ever made and would be troublesome to replace.
I would photograph my guitar! Can’t live without it!
The first thing that I would photograph are the three insturments in our house (don’t worry we got insurance policies for each of them, but haven’t photographed them yet)! They are a Upright Piano, a Bassoon and a C-Melody Saxophone.
The first thing I would photograph would definently be my computer desk. That one photo would show my computer, printer, router, speaker system, ipod, paper shredder, etc.
The first thing I would photograph is my engagement ring.
I have a slew of photos that I took with my cell phone and uploaded to my computer for insurance reasons. It seems like a good idea, and may expedite the process of filing an insurance claim.
The first thing I would photograph, is our TV and the laptops.
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I would take a picture of my artwork in the hallway. I do have it scheduled as SPP with the insurance but don’t have an actual visual of the art collection..
Tweeted this giveaway. maryjaco1
Thanks for the giveaway!
Definitely out most valuable possessions.
I would probably photograph our Apple Mac first…and probably out TV after that.
The first thing I would photograph is my big screen TV
I’ve known for a long time about the importance of photographing (or better yet, using a camcorder) the contents of my house, but have i done it yet? No. However, I do have lots of photos taken of different rooms, from when I was going to sell my house.
Anyway, I would just go room by room. Aside from a number of nice pieces of oak furniture, I can’t think of anything that is irreplaceable, aside from my pets.
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The first thing I would take a picture of is my computer, becuase it’s monetarily worth the most out of all the items I own.
I would photograph the computer and TV first because they would cost the most to replace.
follow you through google reader! i’d photograph all the electronics first [probably biggest investment]!
The first thing I would take a picture of would be of my family
The first thing I would photograph is my grand piano. It is by far the most valuable thing I own.
I would photograph my bed and look at the picture anytime I needed to fall asleep. lol