Determining coverage for contents

The rule of thumb is to insure your possessions for half the value of your home. A safer course is to make a complete analysis of everything you own. Go through the house room by room, writing down all the information you can about each item. This includes make, model, and serial numbers, date purchased, purchase price, and estimated current value. This information should be accompanied by a visual record of these items. You can use photos or a camcorder to record everything. When you have the list, store it with the pictures or tape in a site away from your home, preferably a safe deposit box. If the value of your possessions exceeds the normal coverage for your property, get an auxiliary policy to cover the excess.