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Five tips for protecting your valuable possessions

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Life always throws us a curve ball, especially when we least expect it. While what happens next might be out of our control, what’s in our hands is how we get our affairs in order beforehand. For instance, we can ensure our valuable belongings are with the right people.  

Ensuring the safety of valuable possessions like vintage jewelry, family heirlooms, antiques, or even a home is essential for peace of mind. So, how to ensure things don’t take a turn for the worst? Well, the answer is insurance. 

Insurance safeguard your assets. It saves you from the hassle of fully paying for your loss. You might consider getting insurance as an additional financial burden, but in the long run, like decreasing the risk of being a target for a lawsuit or offering family members financial protection. 

If you have no clue about safeguarding your valuable assets, there are a few ways to do so. One of those includes getting homeowner insurance. This type of insurance is beneficial, especially for property owners, as it protects belongings. Setting up a family trust is ideal for protecting assets. 

The ownership of your valuable possessions is transferred to a trustee under the lawyer’s supervision. A trust protects the asset from various risks, such as failure of business investments and protection against credit and claims after the owner’s death. 

Regarding estate planning, you must make your assets accessible to your loved ones after you’ve departed. To distribute the assets evenly, various diy probate kits are available online, offering a roadmap for the entire process. 

So, choose the right kit to save time, money, and your loved ones from a headache after you’ve departed. A few more tips on safeguarding your possessions are mentioned below to keep you and your loved ones from trouble. 

  1. Create a Home Inventory

For some reason, if your valuable belongings are damaged or lost, a home inventory ensures your claims are processed much faster and with less hassle. 

Sure, we remember the big stuff like the TV or appliances, but what about the small stuff? That is what a home inventory helps with; protecting the small stuff that’s forgotten when unprecedented circumstances arise. 

Apart from getting you a complete reimbursement, a home inventory speeds up the claim process. Before creating a home inventory, consult with your insurance company to find reimbursement requirements. 

Make a comprehensive home inventory list, from stuff in your garage to the attic. Compiling the list includes making a note of the machinery that needs maintenance. Develop a maintenance plan to ensure things are in order when creating a home inventory. 

  1. Have your possessions appraised

Before we discuss the benefits of getting your possessions appraised, let’s consider why it is essential in the first place. An appraisal process helps identify your possessions, which are then documented in a written or visual form, like photographs or videos. 

The benefit of the entire process is that it helps recoup losses, and most of it presents as an objective tool when the division of assets occurs.

Apart from emotional value, possessions are of financial significance. By getting your assets appraised, you get to place a price tag on your collectible if you consider selling them in the future. Additionally, if you have inherited collectibles, you must get them appraised to calculate the capital gains tax

Get a professional evaluation done to calculate the actual value of the item you own. To help run things smoothly, work with an insurance advisor to get yourself an appraiser that understands his work and fits your needs. 

  1. Get the Right Insurance Policy

Today, different types of insurance policies are available to guarantee your valuable assets’ safety. How to choose the right one? That depends on your requirements. Firstly, ensure that your homeowner’s or renter’s policy covers the belongings. 

As mentioned in the beginning, several ways to safeguard your valuables exist. You cannot prevent unexpected situations, but you can choose an insurance policy offering financial coverage for damaged or lost items.

Various insurance policies have different benefits and costs, so research and consult a licensed insurance professional to help you understand the coverage and cost. If you are still trying to decide the policy you need, enlist the help of an insurance broker. 

These individuals contact insurance companies on your behalf to find coverage that best meets your specific requirements. You must have every insurance-related information to make a decision that doesn’t land you in hot waters. 

  1. Secure your home

Apart from an insurance policy, another way of protecting your valuables is to secure your home. For instance, if you own a piece of expensive jewelry, either keep it in a safe or secure it in a locked jewelry box. 

Technology has made our lives much easier than they were a few decades ago. Modern devices have shaped every aspect of our lives, from private to social. For family heirlooms or essential documents, consider a fireproof or waterproof safe.

That is why their safety is as essential as other valuable items. Ensure that your homeowner policy includes compensation for the electronic equipment to ascertain their safety. You might need additional coverage for these items, so discuss these matters with your insurance agent. 

  1. Understand the benefits of additional insurance

Many people are on a tight budget, so additional bills or coverage might be out of the question. However, sometimes circumstances do arise that force us to take uncomfortable steps. Regarding asset protection, that particular step entails investing in additional insurance. 

Consider installing an alarm system in your home. It is beneficial, especially if you live in a neighborhood with a high crime rate. To save yourself from problems, contact the police department to ask about home burglary trends in your community. 

Apart from offering protection in case of an incident, additional insurance will save you from having to pay deductibles listed on the rider. Furthermore, additional insurance covers accidental risks; for instance, if you lose a ring down the sink, rest assured you will be covered. 

Conclusion

Valuable possessions are more than just an investment; they hold sentimental value. That said, it is doubtful that you’d want to lose them or see them ending up in the wrong hands when you are no longer present to look after them. 

For that reason, you must take measures to ensure their safety. Consider a few options, like putting a price tag on your assets, securing your property, creating a home inventory, and getting additional insurance. That way, neither you nor your loved ones would stress holding on to valuable belongings.  

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