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The
inside
story
How to make sure
you’re covered when
you need it most
By JaneT gyenes
’Tis The season for gifTs galore— goodies stashed
under trees or in closets, waiting to be wrapped. With
more valuables in your home than other times of year,
it’s the ideal occasion to take a home inventory. An
accurate and detailed list of everything in your abode
will help insurance cover your prized possessions in the
event of burglary, fires, floods or other mishaps.
Here’s how to take stock and make sure your cover-
age doesn’t fall short when you need it the most.
Keep your policy current
“Keeping files up to date can help prevent losses or sur-
prises if something were to happen,” says Steve Kee,
director of media and digital communications for the
Insurance Bureau of Canada. Kee recommends taking
a complete inventory of your home’s contents annually,
or more frequently if your circumstances change.
Over time you accumulate more possessions or per-
haps purchase pricey items like jewellery and artwork.
“I always look at things and think, ‘What is the worst
case scenario?’” Kee says. “You just want to make sure
your insurance is reflective of your current situation.”
For those big-ticket items, check your policy’s limits;
you might need extra coverage.
Create an exhaustive inventory
There are no hard rules on how to inventory your
home’s contents. Whether you jot down a list or make
a spreadsheet, being thorough is what’s important.
Look through every room, closet and crawlspace to
itemize everything, from your well-loved cutlery and »
CAA MANITOBA
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