July 2014 - When it comes to preparing for a disaster, most people have forgotten one very important thing. Research shows that more than half of American consumers don't have an inventory of the possessions they'd want their insurance company to replace in case of a fire, theft, or other disaster.

“In the aftermath of a fire or other damage to our property, it’s likely many of us would be emotionally drained. The last thing we would want to do is make a list of everything we lost,” said Cynthia Harris, AAA Northern California, Nevada and Utah spokesperson “Preparing in advance for an unexpected disaster could mean a faster return to normal life, and a little less stress along the way, including a more speedy claims process.”

Home Inventory Creation – 5 Easy Steps

1. Grab your camera or smartphone and take a tour of your home.
2. Record everything you'd want your insurance company to replace. Don't forget all the stuff in your closets and garage, or you may have a hard time convincing your claim adjuster that, yes, you really did have 63 pairs of shoes or top-of-the-line ski equipment.
3. Pull together copies of sales receipts and any other documentation. Also note model and serial numbers.
4. Store your home inventory and related documents in a safe and easily accessible place, including online, with friends or family, or in a safe deposit box. Don't rely solely on your home computer, which should always be backed up, in case of fire or a hard drive crash.
5. Add up the replacement costs for all of those items to make sure you have enough insurance.

Creating a simple home inventory helps you track what you own and what it's worth. It can be invaluable in deciding how much insurance coverage you need, to say nothing of ensuring you are adequately protected if you ever need to file a claim.

To find out more about homeowners, condo, or renters insurance call your AAA agent or call (800) 922-8228 to see what discounts you may be eligible for and what type of coverage you might need.

AAA Northern California, Nevada and Utah offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance, DMV, financial services and consumer discounts to over 4.1 million members. AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers since it was founded more than 114 years ago.