Tips to get you started

You never know when a disaster may strike?but you can be prepared with a home or business inventory.

This software will help you create a room-by-room inventory of your personal possessions. Having an up-to-date home inventory will help you:

* Purchase enough insurance to replace the things you own.
* Get your insurance claims settled faster.
* Substantiate losses for your income tax return.

You can always simply make a list in a notebook and save receipts and photos in a file. Our website, however, should make this task fun and simple. More importantly, with the click of your mouse, you can update this list as you buy or eliminate personal possessions.

GETTING STARTED

There are many ways to create a home inventory. It may seem hard at first to record information about everything you have in your house, but don’t let that put you off. First, decide on a way to make an inventory that works for you. You can do it room by room, category by category (furniture, electronics, etc.), from newest items to oldest or from most expensive purchases to less expensive ones.

TAKING INVENTORY

There are different ways to making your list. We suggest room by room starting with the items of most value. Enter the items’ serial and model numbers along with the receipt, upload images of the item and a scan of the warranty card.  These items can be scanned and placed with each item on the Dok-It Online Dashboard.

Expensive items like jewelry and art work may need to be insured separately. Ask your insurance agent whether you need a floater for your homeowners policy.

BIG TICKET ITEMS

Make note of expensive items, such as jewelry, furs, and collectibles. Valuable items may need separate insurance. But, don’t forget more commonplace items such as toys, CD’s and clothing.

TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS

Along with the written information, consider adding photographs of your possessions, which can be done easily with a digital camera. Those with film cameras can scan printed photographs.  All digital images can be easily uploaded with-in the Dok-It Online Dashboard.

APPRAISALS

If you have collectibles and have an appraisal, simply scan and upload the appraisal right along with that items other valuable information.

MAKING LISTS

In some case, items below are listed by the room in which they are most likely to be found. In other cases, they are grouped together by category. For many items like books, CDs, sheets or pots and pans, you can make a general estimate of how many you have and their estimated value.

HOME INVENTORY

You can refer to the following lists to help create your inventories. Write a brief description of the item including when and where it was bought and its make or model number.  Remember to make the process fun.