Hartman Inventory Blog

The clock is ticking

2009-11-10T07:51:00.036-05:00

I planned to do it. It's on my to-do list. I promised myself this year I would get it done...

These are only some of the comments we hear when talking about a home or business inventory. It's a task people know they need, but just don't seem to get it completed (or even started, for that matter).

There are only a few more weeks remaining in 2009. Have you documented your inventory yet? Will another year come and go without this important information? This project just never makes it to the top of your list; by now you realize that you're never going to get to it.

You can still check it off your list, though. Call an inventory service provider near you; most likely they can get it done before your year-end deadline.

The clock is ticking!

Why it's great to be first

2009-11-09T09:48:00.002-05:00

First in line. First to apply. First to receive a settlement. These are very important reasons to have a personal property inventory for your home and business. The ability to be first!

When some insurance companies closed their doors after hurricanes Rita and Katrina, two things happened. 1 - The policyholders received a settlement. 2 - They didn't. The father of a woman who lived in Louisiana told us she had an inventory of their belongings, and when they evacuated, she took it with her. As soon as she was able (just a couple weeks), she sent the inventory to her insurance company and the claims process began. A friend of hers did not have a portfolio of her contents. By the time she pulled all the information together - from memory - that she needed to file her claim, the insurance company had folded. Gone. Doors closed. She received nothing.

BE FIRST! - A very small, but compelling reason to have an inventory.

The big question of the day

2009-11-06T11:44:00.000-05:00

Picture yourself sitting in the middle of your kitchen floor, digging through the wet, slushy muck left behind by the fire department. You're looking at a melted pile of plastic, attempting to determine what it was. OR

Picture yourself coming up from the basement after a torndo into bright sunshine - and nothing left but splinters of wood and a few personal items blown throughout the back yard. OR

Picture yourself walking into the house, remembering how neat and clean it was when you left but now in total disarray - drawers left open, mattresses thrown off the bed, jewelry drawer empty, artwork no longer hanging on the wall, and many other items missing.

Now, the big question of the day is this ... what's it worth to you to have a document that you can refer to when it's time to file the claim?

A 2nd question ... NOW what's on your agenda for the weekend?

Three reasons she experienced a loss

2009-11-05T09:28:00.001-05:00

A very casual "and what do you do?" conversation with a stranger earlier this week turned into a serious discussion - and quite educational for the others at the table. When learning that we provide personal property inventory services, she stated, "I wish I knew you 2 years ago!"

She was burglarized, and experienced a huge financial loss. There are 3 reasons for her loss. First, the inability to remember everything that was missing/stolen. Second, she didn't realize that there is a jewelry limit in all insurance policies. Her policy's limit was $1000, which means that the most she received on jewelry not covered on a rider was $1000. And third, the value of her gold jewelry that WAS appraised had increased by over 50% since the last appraisal years ago.

So, what does that mean? The price of gold has been climbing for quite some time, and her appraised value was less than 1/2 of what her jewelry was worth. Therefore, she her insurance claim provided less than 1/2 of what she needed to replace it, resulting in either a huge out-of-pocket expense or just do without.

The Insurance Institute of America recommends having your jewelry appraisals updated every two years. When is the last time you had yours appraised? It's worth the time and money to do this. You'll be happy you did if you experience a burglary, fire or natural disaster.

Remember, the responsibility to prove ownership and value is on you, the policyholder.

A bases loaded home run!

2009-11-03T08:00:00.092-05:00

I remember going to Cleveland Indians games in the summer with my Dad when I was in grade school - still have the photo of me in my Chief Wahoo t-shirt and cotton candy all over my face. I loved it when someone hit a home run - to me, the most exciting thing to happen in the ball park. I used to think baseball was boring unless there were a bunch of runs being scored.

Fast forward a few years (OK, a few decades) when, tired of hearing me whine about a "boring" shut-out, my son Brian explained the defense to me. All those years prior, I just thought men stood in a set spot and would catch a ball if it came their way. After my baseball lesson - many lessons, actually - I must say I never looked at the sport the same way again. I am now a fan of baseball - both offense and defense. Understanding the thought process that goes into where a player "stands" when on the field puts the entire game in a different context. For example, there are bunt coverages depending on if, who and where players are on the bases; and most baseball fans know of the Barry Bonds Shift. Everything they do - even where they stand - is how they prepare for each batter.

I see a home inventory as your defense in the game of life - maybe the boring part, but extremely vital, nonetheless. Preparing for what is apt to happen will help you win if you have a fire, theft or natural disaster. It will help you receive a maximized claim, faster and with less hassle. And the defense (home inventory) will very quickly turn into your offense - your out of the park home run - your bases loaded home run - when you need it.

It's like frosting on the cake

2009-11-02T09:18:00.005-05:00

Do you use a cake mix instead of baking from scratch? Do you start with a blank page when starting a document rather than using a template? Most likely you use the cake mix and the template as a shortcut to achieve the final product. Just as good, and often much better than doing it without help.

The same thought process can be used when starting a business. Time is of the essence, and shortening that long, low-to-no-revenue start-up period can be greatly reduced when purchasing a franchise or turnkey package. Often the purchase price of this already-created business is less than what it would cost to start your own - less in time and in money.

Some of the common cost savers are replicated websites and other marketing materials, printing costs, the cost of equipment, even office supplies. Additionally, learning from someone who already spent the time gaining the knowledge through trial and error is of extremely high value. Receiving step-by-step instruction and training is beyond placing a dollar figure to it.

If you're considering starting your own business, consider a franchise or a turnkey business package. The time you save and knowlege you'll gain is frosting on the cake!

This weekend we fall behind

2009-10-30T15:53:00.000-04:00

Yes, another post about Daylight Saving Time. When talking about our personal property inventory service, we are often told that people believe they can remember everything they own. We smile, and ask them to start naming the items in just one room. Once they get past the large items (furniture, lamps, etc.), they smirk, smile, frown and sometimes even laugh out loud, realizing they can not.

This weekend, when you're resetting all the clocks - and the items that have a clock - try this. As you approach each item, think who the manufacturer is, and see if you're right. Then, ask yourself if you know the model number. I won't even suggest you might know the serial number. All 3 of these details will be requested if you file an insurance claim.

This is a great time to begin or update your inventory. In addition to changing the time, take a photo of each clock, DVD player, CD player, VHS player, microwave, oven and any other item that has a clock. Then list the room each is in, along with the manufacturer and the model and serial numbers.

Congratulations! You've just started your inventory! Now, continue with the rest of the contents of your house or business.

It's the witching hour - time to document your decorations

2009-10-29T09:05:00.002-04:00

Many people love to decorate for halloween and go all-out. And some don't decorate at all. By looking at my neighbors' houses, most are somewhere in between. But whether you have just a door decoration or tons of lights, black cats, pumpkins, ghosts, witches, grave stones, skeletons and more, it's time to start - or add to - your home inventory.

If you experience a disaster, you'll have difficulty remembering all of your decorations. So, while taking pictures of the kids in their costumes, snap a few of the decorations also. And it won't take a "witching hour" to do it - probably only a few minutes.

Three ways to keep your customer pipeline full

2009-10-28T15:48:00.004-04:00

Our guest blogger is Sändra K Connor, also known as “thinkVAULTer” on twitter. She in the owner of DMMI Associates, LLC and known as the Infopreneur. Sändra specializes in helping small business owners to grow their businesses – from startup or from here-and-now to the next level.

Email Sändra ~ DMMI Business Tips Blog

The green handle on this faucet aptly illustrates how important a healthy pipeline flow is to revenues, as well as profits. If it’s off, even for a short while, the disruption in the flow can wreak havoc on your business. This is true for everyone. We all have fixed costs to cover, even if the bulk of them are our own salaries or withdrawals for family living expenses.

Add overhead, such as rent and utilities, or other cash flow drains, such as employee expenses, lease payments or equipment purchases, then the flow in the pipeline becomes even more critical. So, how can you keep the pipeline filled along with all the other duties you must cover?

Keep these tips in mind, along with setting aside time in your schedule to get them done:

Develop steady sources of new prospects. Get to know people, everywhere you go – in-person or on-line at your social media sites.
Gather testimonials and cultivate referrals from EVERYONE – clients and colleagues. Provide easy, hassle-free ways for people to help you with this and ASK!
Form partnerships with other firms that complement what you do. Consider which non-competitors are likely to cross paths with your prospects. Talk with them about partnering.

See more thought-starters on the DMMI Business Tips Blog.

Of all the challenges for small business owners and micro businesses that I’ve seen, the toughest is keeping the customer pipeline full. The sales spigot must be kept running at full force. As a business owner, you dare not let it dwindle to a trickle – or worse yet – run dry. Remember that a healthy prospect pipeline is like lifeblood. Keeping your pipeline filled will stave off sales dollar anemia, or near certain business demise without it.

We dove as the building came down on us

2009-10-27T09:03:00.001-04:00

Mark and Alora Westra own and operate 2 sign businesses, Barn Sign Works and Old West Signs. Their signs are created using time-proven traditional techniques to ensure the highest quality and a one-of-a-kind feel that only a hand-carved sign can provide. They have two sons, Jason and Jarrod and two grandchildren, Savannah and Jayden. They spend their free time flying hot air balloons, working with the Riley Children’s Foundation, traveling and enjoying time with family and friends.

Email Mark ~ Email Alora ~ 3l7-485-6063

My wife and I started a business in l981 and moved out of two nice homes and into a 75-year-old barn. Over the years of cleaning, building and personalizing such an unusual building, we fought to get insurance to cover our belongings and the facility.

It was always in the back of my mind: If it was so difficult to get insurance, where would we be if we ever needed to file a claim? We didn’t want to be where many people are, fighting the insurance company for the protection we paid for.

Then we met Mike and Cindy Hartman. Something clicked; after we learned more about their service, we signed on. They took an accurate and detailed inventory of our eclectic home and business.

This was two years prior to an event on the evening of Friday, May 30th, 2008 that changed our lives.

The whole month consisted of cleaning, organizing, and planting flowers and a garden in anticipation of a wonderful summer with family and friends. We had invited friends to come for Memorial Day weekend to kick off the summer.

While putting tools, mowers, etc. away, we got a weather report that thunderstorms were expected, but no severe weather was predicted. We went out to dinner and retired early to be rested for the weekend.

No Warning…
When we went to bed at 10:00, I closed the windows, as there was some lightning and light rain. I am a pilot, so I watch the weather each day very carefully. We never imagined that we were facing an unpredicted super cell developing at that very moment. No tornado warning, no news blitz… Comfortable and secure, we fell asleep.

I awoke at 10:40. The power was out; there was cloud to cloud lightning and absolutely no wind. I immediately grabbed Alora and told her we needed to get downstairs.

In 27 years, we had only done that 3 times. In that same 27 years, we had ridden out hundreds of storms, even a tornado in l989 that took out a barn south of us.

Living in a building that had survived thousands of storms before I was even born, we thought we were immune to this type of thing. Even so, something or someone got us going downstairs as fast as we could in total darkness. As we approached the doorway to go to the lower level, we heard the sound of a train going through a tunnel at l00 miles per hour (the best way I can describe it). We dove into the landing as the building came down on top of us.

Were we lucky? Was our guardian angel helping us? You can answer those questions.

As the water poured down on us and all our personal possessions - computers, furniture, artwork, plus all our business contents - inventory, power tools, hand tools ... 27 years of work and sacrifice, I became calm and determined. We had just survived a natural disaster with scratches.

The Aftermath…
My calm had come from knowledge that we had insurance and were still alive. I had no reason to think the most challenging time of our lives was ahead of us. Could we survive the turmoil, stress and fight to come?

The next day, over l00 volunteers, including our guests (remember them?), helped us salvage what we could before a month of rains began three days later. We took comfort in the belief that our insurance would come through. Our local agent, who we had been with for 28 years, showed up a week later.

Our homeowners’ company representative, who was from Texas, called me on a cell phone to tell me he was inundated and would be there in a couple of weeks. FEMA stopped by -- no help. Our business insurance company sent their representative on Sunday, two days later.

As we got into the middle of the cleanup, rebuild, bids, ordering, and continuing to run a business out of a damaged building, one asset remained my pillar of strength: the Hartman Inventory.

As we progressed through 6 months of round-the-clock camping at our facility and rebuilding, that Photo and Document record was our ace in the hole. The homeowners rep, who eventually showed up 2 weeks later, wanted us to produce a spread sheet for him on our computer so he could e-mail it to his home office. Duh! Our computers had been destroyed. The Hartman Inventory became our sword to cutting through all the BS the company produced to slow or stop any settlement.

The one constant that eventually got us a settlement was that inventory portfolio. Without that inventory, we might still be fighting them.

The Lesson…
Insurance companies will fight you over every cent. They will reduce all your belongings to salvage value or deny them altogether if you don't have documentation.

We were fortunate to have many friends, neighbors and volunteers who helped us get our home and business back up and running. In some ways, we are even better off than before the storm. Any catastrophe will take its toll on you and your family. You need to protect yourself, and never assume the insurance company will be there for you.

We had a 42-year-old neighbor; his house was extensively damaged in the same storm. He continued to work night and day on the house and at his job and fought the insurance companies to settle until the day he moved back in. The night he moved back into his house, he died of a heart attack.

Protect yourselves with every arsenal you can, and for God’s sake, have all your possessions and facility recorded and up-to-date with an inventory.

9-year-old mindsets in the blogging world

2009-10-26T09:06:00.001-04:00

When I was a kid in Alliance, Ohio, a neighbor boy was always a sore loser. He was they type who, if he got mad, would go home and take the ball with him. There were other times when he would cheat or argue. Now, mind you, this is a group of 9 and 10 year olds. Taking the ball and leaving, arguing for a ruling in his favor, all have a point here. He lived by the mantra of "If I can't win, no one gets to win."

Unfortunately, there appears to be 9-year-old-mindset people in the blogging world, too. Kyle Lacy's (a leader in the social media arena) Top 50 Blog Contest Authenticity, Transparency, and the Top 50 Blog Contest has encountered some of this type of immature attitude.

This isn't a contest to win hundreds of thousands of dollars, or a trip, or jewelry, or even a new laptop. The prize dollar value is minimal. The high value is being named "top blogger in Indiana" and that could be why some have the mindset of "If I can't win, no one gets to win." Shame on them - if I knew who it was, I'd call their mother!

Seriously, though, Kyle's company, Brandswag, spent the weekend cleaning out all the fake votes. Now, more than ever, I encourage everyone to vote so those wanting to ruin something will see that all they did was bring more attention and success to a great idea.

Go here to vote.

The ticket to you-know-where

2009-10-22T09:40:00.001-04:00

Ahhhh, finally - you're off to Tuscany (or some other dream vacation)! You've been planning and saving for this trip for a long, long time. The passports and airline tickets all tucked in the envelope. Suitcases are packed and in a couple days you'll be on your way to that long-awaited destination. Then you come home to a kicked-in back door and find that you've been burglarized. The passports and tickets (along with a lot of other items) are gone. Will you be able to go anyway? Will you be able to afford to purchase new? Does your insurance cover this type of theft?

We've been talking about the Special Limits of Liability of your Personal Property Coverages. This is one I'm guessing many people don't know about. The average policy has a $1000 limit on passports and tickets (and many other similar items, by the way - like postage stamps, for example). This is not $1000 for each - it is per incident.

Roundtrip flights to Tuscany are more than $700 each. Which means, for those of you who are doing the math, that your insurance will most likely not even cover the cost of the 2 airline tickets.

Don't let your vacation be ruined - or even cancelled - because you can't come up with the funds that will not be replaced by your insurance company. Don't let some burglar steal your vacation out from under you! Read your policy, or call your insurance agent to know exactly what your limit is!

Time to pull the boat out of the water

2009-10-21T08:03:00.003-04:00

There are only a few weeks remaining for most people who experience the season changes to enjoy their water sports. That means that this is the perfect time to check your insurance policies before storing your watercraft for the winter. It would not be a good result if after a disaster you could only afford to purchase the boat pictured here!

Just like the limits on money discussed in yesterday's blog, there is also a limit to the coverage on watercraft. Unfortunately, many don't realize that the special limit for each category is the total limit for each loss for all property in that category! Therefore, it isn't only for the boat, but also the trailers, furnishings, equipment and outboard engines or motors. The average limit amount is around $1000.

What are your watercraft and accessories worth? What is the amount of your coverage? And the big question that few can answer - what is your coverage limitation?

Cold cash in the refrigerator and everywhere else

2009-10-20T09:22:00.000-04:00

After the depression, many people didn't trust the banks. My grandmother, who was born in 1900, told me about family and friends who stored their cash in coffee cans, cookie jars, mattresses, between linens, in the hems of curtains - and yes, even in the refrigerators. Now, that's what I call "cold cash".

This fear of losing money didn't go away quickly for many people. My grandmother didn't get a checking account until the late 60s because she didn't want her money in a bank. Through our personal property inventory service business, we know people who have recently cleaned out residences after an elderly person's death and discovered 10s of 1000s of dollars hidden throughout the house!

How many people still keep large amounts of cash laying around? How safe is your money ... really? In general, renters and homeowners insurance policies have a limit of between $200 and $500. That means, no matter how much cash you have in the house or apartment - and how much insurance you have - when you have a fire, theft or natural disaster, you'll receive only the limit for loss of the money category. That means if you have $1000 cash in your house, and have a loss, your insurance policy will not replace between $500 and $800. Do you normally have more than $1000? What are you willing to risk losing? Check your insurance policy under Property Coverages to learn exactly what your limit is.

With ATM machines everywhere, and debit cards in your wallet, consider where your "cold cash" is safest.

Gray is OK

2009-10-19T09:51:00.001-04:00

I enjoy writing. Though it's just a hobby, it's still nice to be recognized by others. Therefore, I'd like to share my latest "woohoo" with you. I am now the Expert Author in the category Money, subcategory Personal Property for a new website, RetireNet.com.

This site is a great resource for those over 50 - for themselves and for their adult parents.Want to find a place to downsize? Want to "visit" retirement communities? You can do that! Want information, education, knowledge for topics besides Money? There's a plethora of information on Relationships, Health & Wellness, Senior Lifestyles and more.

I'm excited to be a contributor for this site. My qualifications, besides my writing? I'm one of the demographics. One of their target markets. I have knowledge - knowledge gained through my business and also 1st person experience of the need for a personal property inventory.

Oh, one more qualification ... I have gray hair!

Check out the site, and send the link to your parents and grandparents.

No duty if you fail to comply

2009-10-16T11:31:00.003-04:00

We often give tips on on this blog about how to prepare for a loss from a fire, theft or natural disaster. This information is helpful for homeowners and business owners alike. There is a great deal of uncertainty about what happens after one experiences a loss. Most people state that they just don't know how they are going to recover. Your personal property policy outlines what you will need to provide to receive your insurance settlement.

There is standard verbiage in these policies. Under the Duties After Loss heading, you'll discover some statments that might surprise you, and of which you need to be aware.

One statement is that they (the insurance comanies) have no duty to provide coverage if you fail to comply with their requirements. The requirements can be performed by you or a representative (an inventory service provider, for example).

You must notify your agent or the insurance company promptly. In the case of theft or lost items, you must also notify the police. You will be expected to cooperate fully if there is an investigation of your claim. You'll be required to prepare an inventoy of the damaged items, listing the quantity, description, value and the amount of your loss. Bills, receipts, appraisal forms and any other documents that support your claim will be requested. A signed, sworn proof of loss will need to be submitted within 60 days after the insurance company's request. Insurance policies vary. Check yours to make sure you understand what will be expected of you when you file a claim.

This shows why it's so important to have your personal property documented for your home and business prior to a disaster. Can you imagine completing that task without a previously prepared inventory - especially when feeling overwhelmed due to the stress you'll be experiencing?

Me either.

The 3 - count 'em - 3 key steps to prepare your business

2009-10-15T07:16:00.001-04:00

September was Disaster Preparedness Month and I'm guessing many people missed it or have delayed creating a disaster plan. Therefore, Larry White, Business Advisor of the Central Indiana SBDC since 2004, is our guest today to help you get started. He provides free counseling for individuals who wish to start their own business, or existing entrepreneurs that need assistance with management or marketing challenges and low cost training for new or established businesses. Larry conducts seminars on topics, ranging from business plan development to the understanding of financial statements. You can reach him at 317-921-4859.

The focus on National Preparedness Month challenges business owners with the question of whether we are ready for an emergency. A recent national survey of businesses conducted by The Ad Council found that while 91% of respondents said that it is “very” or “somewhat” important for businesses to prepare for a catastrophic disaster (i.e., fire, tornado, etc.), only 38% said their company had an emergency plan in place in the event of a disaster.

We get so focused on day-to-day events and taking care of customers, that it is hard for most of us to find the time to get prepared. Planning is hard for many people. However, it is clear that preparedness enhances the recovery from business disruption and financial losses, and thereby increases business’ security and stability. It can also add to an owner’s peace of mind and allow him/her to sleep a little better at night.
There is a wealth of information about emergency business planning on the Department of Homeland Security’s website. They outline three key steps that business owners should take:

PLAN to stay in business – create a written emergency procedures checklist, develop an emergency contact list, identify a potential alternative business location, etc.

TALK to your people – get your employees’ involvement and buy-in to the process, advise your staff of emergency supplies that your business can provide, develop and communicate an evacuation plan, etc.

PROTECT your investment – review your insurance coverage, develop an inventory of all business assets, be sure that all critical records are backed up at an offsite location, etc.

As stated on the Ready.gov website, a commitment to planning today will help support employees, customers, the community, the local economy, and even the country. It also protects your business investment and gives your company a better chance for survival. Let’s find the time….somehow, someway, somewhere in our schedules….to be better prepared. If time and manpower is an issue - or you desire the benefits of a 3rd party documentation - I recommend the professionals at Hartman Inventory.

Drat! Oh, well ...

2009-10-14T09:48:00.005-04:00

Andrea Hiner is our guest today. She is a Business Executive adept in building and supporting start-up, turnaround, high-growth and Fortune 50 organizations, with over 20 years experience in leadership development, management, organizational development and training, instructional design, change management, business process improvement, and project leadership. As a business owner, Andrea implemented the theoretical and practical skills of leadership into day to day reality, creating an organization of leaders from top to bottom. She also served as a Culture Shift Master Trainer with United Parcel Service as they transitioned into a leadership focused organization. Are you looking for a catalyst and guide in the transformation your organization to an extraordinary level of performance and leadership? Call 317-409-2440.

Hi Mike & Cindy - I thought of you early one morning last week and thought you’d get a chuckle out of this:

I gave myself just the exact amount of time I needed to get up, get ready and out the door so I could arrive at my meeting right on time... not a minute to spare! As I was pulling away from the house I did the usual final inspection to make sure the garage door was down and the house was buttoned up and secure. Drat! I realized I had left a lamp on in the living room and of course it was the antique lamp with the antique wiring. I decided I didn’t have time to go back...

Here’s what ran through my head, “Oh well, I have a home inventory and if the house burns down I guess I’ll deal with it then!” I never gave it another thought!

I returned home several hours later to a beautiful home and the peace of mind that whatever happens, thanks to you, I have the documentation to deal with it.

Thanks!!

Crossing your fingers doesn't work very well

2009-10-13T10:14:00.001-04:00

My mom called me and asked who she should call for a new roof. Now, that's not an unusual phone call, but this one was a little difficult. She lives in Ohio and we've lived in Indiana since 1986, so obviously I didn't have a clue! I wish there was a way to know a reputable, honest company that would not take advantage of an 80-year-old woman. And I'm sure there is, but how would I know which one? This task would have been simple if there was a Priority PROs website in Sandusky. I could have logged on and given my mom their phone number. I'd know she'd be treated the way I'd want her to be treated. (Unfortunately, she found one herself and it was not a good experience.)

There are so many times when we ask: Where do I go?! Who do I call?! Are they ethical and reputable?! Is this a company you'd refer your mom to?!? Then you make the decision while crossing your fingers. (My mom tried the crossing your fingers thing - it didn't work.)

There are a lot of referral groups, advertising media, "lists" and referral sites today. Standing out as being unique is Priority PROs. We are honored to be placed in their directory because you must apply for the privilege. Whether you need a plumber, painter, attorney, bookkeeping service, insurance agent, massage therapist, accountant, a home inventory service or any other service for that matter, you'll know you only need to check one place to find the right company. You can be sure of the quality of these companies because each have quality, service and trust as guiding principles. Each company must be nominated and go through a selection process to be a Priority PRO; therefore, none of the members can pay to be in the directory.

Priority PROs also saves you time (no more asking a gazillion people who you should call), gives you assurance you'll be calling the right people, and also stops the blisters caused by crossing your fingers so often!

Re-mem-mem-Re-mem-mem-mem-ber

2009-10-12T08:42:00.002-04:00

Do you remember the song Remember Then by the Earls? They sang about the sadness of a lost summer and lost love many decades ago. Our customers "sing a song" about loss as well.

I remember the surprise a CFO displayed during a tour of his facility to provide an inventory quote. When he opened a closet, he said sadly, "I didn't know we still had these ... we just bought more." The items referred to were a few hundred dollars each. Another closet door opened, and another sheepish "I didn't know ..."

A business owner, during our facility tour, stated, "I thought we got rid of all of these. I would never have recorded them on a claim." And yet another, when we delivered her portfolio, happily noted that she didn't have a clue she owned so much. "I would have completely understated my claim."

These are common conversations! It's difficult to remember everything, especially when new items are being purchased, replaced and disposed of. Think of how difficult it would be to remember what you owned after a disaster when under stress, financial pressure, time constraints and also focusing on the daily needs of running a business.

An inventory will help you re-mem-mem-re-mem-mem-mem-ber!

Making a move locally offers a different scenario

2009-10-09T08:57:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's blog gave some insight of what could happen when moving out of town, and why it's important to have an inventory of your belongings before packing up. On the flip side, though, if you're moving across town, you might want to wait until after you move.

Since you'll most likely be moving yourself, or at least be around/with the movers, it is best to create your inventory at the new house. This way, you'll have each item listed room by room, which is the preferred format by insurance companies. And if you find a certain piece of furniture isn't going to work after all, you won't have it on your list. Also, you'll have easy access to the serial numbers of your electronics before plugging everything in, which makes it more inconvenient to obtain all the numbers.

If you're placing items in storage between the two residences (waiting for the other house to be built, your lease was up, or the other family has not moved yet), be sure to create your inventory while placing your items in the storage unit. There have been numerous fires, floods and thefts in storage facilities, so you'll want to have a comprehensive list.

Again, as always, check with your insurance agent to ensure proper coverage during this transition period. Some facilities require you to purchase insurance with them. Know what your coverage is, and understand the policy!

Make your move memorable because it was easy and seamless, rather than memorable because you didn't have the proper insurance or you didn't have an inventory to help you remember everything you own(ed) that is now gone!

If you have a story, supporting a good or bad experience, please share it here.

All packed up and ready to go

2009-10-08T08:37:00.002-04:00

It's moving day and you're ready to begin your new life in a new city. Your belongings are in boxes, but you didn't create an inventory of your belongings as you packed. What if some items are damaged? Or missing?

The photos prove ownership and will support a claim. They'll also show the condition of your belongings before they were loaded onto the truck. Missing pieces, damaged furniture or broken crystal are situations that can occur.

We know of a family that moved from Indianapolis to their new home out of state. When the moving truck arrived and items were being unloaded, "Sue" called her former Indy neighbor and asked if the portable basketball goal was still in their old driveway. "No, I watched them load it into the moving van." No photos, no list, no proof they owned one. A loss of about $500.

A couple told us of their horrifying move to Indianapolis from California. They didn't have photographs and only a very short-with-little-detail written list. The moving van caught on fire and every item they owned was completely destroyed. Every ... single ... item ... they ... owned - GONE!

Create your inventory prior to the move, check with your insurance agent about coverage and be sure to hire a reputable company.

Mom always told me to share - she was right

2009-10-07T09:29:00.002-04:00

Social media is often used to share knowledge, and there are many people doing just that. You can learn something on just about any topic you choose - earning money as an MLM associate, how to "go green", exercise and diet, how to grow your business, gardening, the law of attraction, marketing, customer service, car maintenance, travel, and even social media itself ... the list goes on forever.

When we started our personal property inventory company, one of our goals was and still is to educate people on the many reasons they need to have a list of their home and business belongings. So we did and still do the standard, tried-and-true methods. One is speaking engagements. We enjoy sharing our knowledge at Kiwanis, Sertoma, Rotary, Chambers of Commerce and church group meetings, explaining why one needs a home or business inventory and also how to compile one. I write a blog and electronic newsletter; I provide articles as a guest author for others' email and paper newsletters and blogs; and enjoy being a regular columnist for the Morgan County Business Leader.

Once we got comfortable with Facebook and Twitter, we thought it would be a great way to reach more people by offering our knowledge through this venue. Though every day we reach out to people who are posting or tweeting about insurance, burglaries, fires, estate planning, divorce, etc., we have organized an "event" per se. Each month, we establish a time for "Ask the Experts" and monitor questions and comments on Facebook and Twitter - a specific time to focus on providing the knowledge others are seeking regarding the need for an inventory. In between the questions, we post pertinent information such as "Be sure not to overload your extension cords when decorating for the holidays" and remind people to check their smoke alarm batteries.

In addition to reaching out to our followers, we are providing an opportunity for them to ask for help when they might otherwise hesitate. Social media is a new information highway that, used for the better good, can be an excellent tool to provide knowledge, to pay it forward, to give to others - to share.

How can you use social media to meet or enhance your business' mission statement?

We call it a do-over

2009-10-06T09:09:00.000-04:00

I just finished reading Scott McKain's newest book, Collapse of Distinction. He charges his readers to find ways to be distinct, to give people a compelling reason to become and remain a customer. We are always looking for more opportunities to remain the best in the industry, and Scott has given us ideas that we'll be considering for our business. And in the meantime, he has given us more compelling reasons to remain his customer (purchase his books). He asks the tough questions, pushes his readers to examine what they're doing now, then come up with the ideas to become better.

We started our home inventory service with the passion of helping others, knowing we can close each day with the great feeling that we've done something that will favorably impact others' lives. Each time we deliver a completed portfolio, we receive compliments about the quality of service, hear how great people feel now that they have these documents and their peace of mind that we keep their information backed up. Most appreciate that they can receive annual updates at a small fraction of the cost of another full inventory service. Some even say we need to raise our prices (we haven't).

These are all great, but the one specific item we are very proud of is how we serve a current customer after a major loss (so far, a tornado and burglary). Once they rebuild/refurnish we provide a new inventory at no charge - we give them a "do-over". That's the least we can do after they've been through such an ordeal. It's one compelling reason for our customers to become and remain customers.

What else can we do? We're open to your ideas!

Maybe the cow didn't do it after all

2009-10-05T08:40:00.003-04:00

This week, October 4-10, is Fire Prevention Week 2009, with the theme of "Stay fire smart - don't get burned". These special weeks have been dedicated since 1921, remembering the fires that occurred in 1871.

Just what started it all? According to the NFPA website, some say Mrs. O'Leary's cow. But Chicago historian Robert Cromie has some other thoughts. Legend has it that a cow kicked over a lamp that set a fire in the bar, which set the whole city on fire. But Mrs. O'Leary states she was in bed and had tucked the cows in for the night, proving it wasn't her - or her cow's - fault. New discoveries offer alternative scenarios. Possibly kids smoking near the barn. Or maybe a neighbor started the fire. Some even believe a meteorite fell on October 8, starting that fire and others in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Whatever the cause, the outcome was devastating:

100,000 homeless
250 people killed
17,400 structures destroyed
2,000 acres burned
lasted 2 days

Though the Chicago fire is best-known, it was not the biggest. The worst in American history is the Wisconsin Peshtigo Fire, also happening on October 8, 1871. It burned down 16 towns and ruined 1.2 million acres. Word has it that it was started by men working on the railroad and it "blew through the towns like a tornado", completely destroying Peshtigo in about an hour. Others claim it was from one of the meteorites that landed that day.

Whatever the reasons for these fires, and those that we experience every day, we must be aware of prevention opportunities. The NFPA site is full of information for consumers, Teachers, parents and families.

When one does experience a fire, a home and/or business inventory will help with the recovery process by lessening the stress, reducing the time devoted to recreating what you owned and maximizing your settlement. Make a contents inventory a priority this week, too!