Who documents their equipment?

madmax

I was just wondering how many of you guys keep a list of model/serial numbers, descriptions, pics etc of your equipment for insurance purposes. Do you know if your insurance will cover that type of equipment and what the limit is? Just wondering.
madmax

avguytx

I've got everything I own on a database for myself and with the insurance companies with pictures. My insurance guy was impressed that I had pictures for him on a CD ROM. lol. I'm covered for $100K in contents but it's nice to have proof/records of everything.

schwarcw

You guys have too much time on your hands!:D

Actually, it's probably a good idea for insurance reasons. Pictures, serial numbers, etc. I have no receipt because I purchased much of my stuff used.

Documenting CD's could be a real pain. I really don't have the time. I should take a picture, so they can see how much stuff I have.

avguytx

I think it took me about an hour to document the whole house with pictures and serial numbers. I update it once a year just in case.

Serendipity

I do to some extent - pictures of equipment and serial numbers, but don't really have a file for the stuff or so.

madmax

avguytx wrote: »

I'm covered for $100K in contents but it's nice to have proof/records of everything.

Is that total contents of the house or just electronics? On my insurance I have about the same amount for contents but they put a limit on electronics. I think its a pretty low limit too, need to check I guess. I often wonder if I wouldn't find out that not much of anything is really covered once a claim is put in.

beardog03

I thought about it, just never finished

Homeowners only cover up to 5k (25k total) , I think...not sure
every policy is different from what I understand

Shizelbs

I've got everything photo documented and a detailed list is kept with my insurance company.

hearingimpared

My documentation is a work in progress. I'm doing the entire contents of the house. When we bought the house last year (wow it will be a one year this Novemeber) we got full coverage on the structue and contents. The rates in this area are really really inexpensive. I don't remember off the top of my head what they are but I remember telling my wife that at the rate we are getting on the insurance we should just go all out.

I have what is documented and pictured thus far in a safe deposit box (and some cash he he he) and a copy with my insurance agent.

Now if I can just get life insurance!!! BTW for all you younguns don't let your life insurance lapse once you hit mid forties on up it gets very very expensive.

BaggedLancer

My stuff really isn't worth enough to add insurance to it.......

dorokusai

Absolutely.

janmike

100%. Date, Purchase price, seller, serial #, pics everything I can think of. I created an inventory database years ago in MS Access for all household items. A copy of the database is stored off site as well. Hell if the house burns down I need proof.
I am slowly adding in the 200+ CD's with CD Title, Artist, Songs, Recording Length....

heiney9

Cd's are typically hard to insure. I'm not even sure you can get a rider policy. My brother has almost 4000 cd;s and many are OOP and collectable. It's very hard to get them insured for much over a used value.

Also always purchase Full Replacement insurance especially for electronics because that way they pay to replace the unit and not just give you the depreciated value.

H9

janmike

I think they will only insure so many. The inventory for CD's was more for personal information than anything.

michael_w

I've done it too. It took a couple hours adding up everything with prices & serial numbers but should be well worth it should something happen. Ideally I'd have receipts to go along with the list in a secure location off site but that can be pretty tough to keep track of. This is just like backing up the files on your computer... so many people don't do it and then when they lose everything it's a giant scramble and panic to recover it. The photo thing is a great idea - I'll have to do that this week.

fatchowmein

Has anybody documented their A/V equipment and media, had an incident (theft, fire, etc), and was able to recover from the insurance company afterwards? Did they give you a hard time?

I ask because I recalled our house being broken into as a kid and the insurance company wanted both the receipt and original box of items stolen.

koz

i take pics of all the equipment, dvds cds. i have a database for the movies and cds as well. serial numbers, and pics of the actual boxes as well. not to mention 90% of the boxes are up in the attic. cant be too safe