As Floridians we were probably more prepared than most for the empty shelves that COVID-19 brought us, because we see those same empty shelves every year during hurricane season! Even though we are all used to stocking up on supplies before a storm arrives, we want to educate you on the importance of creating an inventory for the items you already have stocked in your home.

Hurricane season 2020 has already begun but no storms have heavily impacted us as of yet – this is why it is the absolute best time to prepare for those to come. One effective manner of preparation when it comes to hurricanes is preparing a home inventory in case of damage or loss inflicted from a storm. This is a step that many Floridians overlook or simply do not consider as an important piece of their hurricane preparation; however, keeping an updated home inventory can make filing a claim that much easier when trying to keep track of what may be damaged or missing. When dealing with the aftermath of a vicious storm the last thing you want to do is try to come up with a list of what your house looked like and what possessions you had before the storm arrived. This is why it is helpful to create a home inventory now before storms arrive, as well as to keep it updated as the year goes along.

How does one create a home inventory might you ask? Well you can always do it by hand using a piece of paper and a pen, but there are also other ways to create an organized inventory of your home. For example, you can create a digital one using a word processing or spreadsheet computer program. You could also download software from websites online and create an inventory that way. Another option is to explore the available apps on your smartphone and see which ones may be of service to you when tracking the items in your home. There are multiple free apps available, as well as apps you can purchase with additional features to help you create and maintain a home inventory.

Some of the most important reasons to create a home inventory are related to insurance. Of course when filing a claim the insurance adjustor will need an inventory when investigating, so having one ready and available will make it easier to document your possessions following damage or loss. Once the claim has been settled the inventory will also be helpful to you as you are trying to replace your items and regroup after a storm. Home inventories can also help determine whether you are currently holding the proper amount of coverage for you and your home. Once an inventory has been made it is easy to determine whether or not you are over-insured or under-insured based on the total value of your possessions compared to your current value listed on your homeowner’s insurance policy. If you are under-insured than your inventory will help put you in a more protected position before a storm or other issue arrives. If you are over-insured than your inventory will help you save money on your premium amount. Either way, it is always the safer option to check just in case. The inventory can also expose gaps in your current coverage that may need to be closed by your agent.

All of this goes to say that it is very important to us, and to the safety of your home, that you create and actively update a home inventory before the storms hit us this year. We want you to know that you are protected and prepared for whatever storms or damages hit you this year, so once you create your home inventory be sure to give us a call to see if it could affect your insurance!