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Spring Home Inventory

By Stephanie McLain, Claims Adjuster

Have you begun the much-anticipated spring-cleaning? As you weed through the nooks and crannies and dig out outdated items that could probably stand to be donated by now, you may just feel a weight you didn’t know was there start to lift off of your shoulders. The sun is starting to come through the windows and you need to make some space. You don’t necessarily have to rid your household of everything that doesn’t bring you joy, but maybe consider tossing the items that no longer function. If you’re anything like my darling husband, you may have a collection of obsolete items that you’re positive you’ll fix one day, most of which don’t even have parts being manufactured anymore. We’re not even talking neat vintage items, we’re talking cheap digital cameras that my son spilled soda on 4 years ago. Regardless, if you are able to part with items, do so, and do it before you change your mind. If you’ve bought new furniture, donate the old furniture so someone else can enjoy endless movies nights with your pre-worn in already loved couch. Trust me, they’ll love it. Once you’ve purged your house and renewed for the spring, you’ll feel like a brand new you.

Do you know what you should do after a renewal; after you’ve just regrouped your entire house and switched up the contents a little? Can you guess?

That’s right!

You should update your home inventory! Seriously, it’s like you readers are starting to read my mind. An up-to-date home inventory is vital in the event a major claim occurs. After the holidays, your household has probably acquired a few new things and you’ve probably just gotten rid of a few items. Updating in the spring is usually the easiest because it involves mostly removing items and maybe adding only one or two. Either way, you should definitely review your inventory and update as necessary, just in case. If you don’t already have an account, you can check out HomeZada.com and start an online digital home inventory so that this process is even easier. All of your items are manageable right from a phone or tablet.

Stephanie McLain

Tech enthusiast (not pro), photographer hobbyist, boy mom, animal lover, and Insurance Adjuster

When Stephanie isn’t at work she’s trying new things from food, tech, games, hair colors, etc. Stephanie and her husband of 2 years live with their 2 boys, 1 fostered cousin, 2 dogs, 1 snake, and 1 fostered bearded dragon. Her goals are to experience the best life has to offer. They like to explore as a family everything from the outdoors, new towns, new games, or even new concepts or ideas for the house.

Theft: What to do if your home is burglarized

By Stephanie McLain, Claims Adjuster

As we go through life we collect an array of things. Many items hold sentimental value, some hold monetary value, some are just necessary for daily living, but they’re ours. Like birds that have carefully constructed the perfect nest, we have made our home our own and it is comforting to come back to it each day or night. You feel safe in your home. A bad day at work is alleviated by the comforts of your couch or favorite chair. What happens, when that comfort is invaded? According to the website https://www.alarms.org, there are roughly 2.5 million burglaries a year, 66% of those being home break ins. Even the safest neighborhoods can be affected by theft.

Imagine with me:

You’ve been out to the movies. It’s been a great night complete with dinner, good company, and a hilarious movie. You’re quoting your favorite parts of the movie still laughing until your abs hurt as your pull up at home and see your door open. You freeze.

This moment alone is gut wrenching but what happens when you go inside?

You want to approach the house but you’re not sure if someone is still inside. Your friend grabs your arm and suggests calling the police first. A couple minutes go buy and a police cruiser pulls up and officers search the property to see if anyone is still inside. Your house has been completely ransacked. There is evidence of forced entry and the police begin an investigation as you stare in awe at the disaster that was once your place.

While having your home broken into is traumatic, it doesn’t have to be life altering. No amount of comfort will erase what has been done, but rebuilding and replacing is a step to healing. With insurance you’ve got the coverage to help in this process. Anytime a theft occurs follow these steps:

Notify the police immediately and obtain your report number.
Secure your property if damage created a hazard. For example, fix that door if it was kicked in or secure that window if it was broken.
Create an inventory of any missing items to document your loss.
Take photos of any damage.
Contact MAX so the claim process can begin.

Your adjuster will assist you throughout the entire process. There will be a time where you can feel safe and comfortable in your home again and even be more prepared for situations in the future. Hopefully, you’ll never experience a theft, but, if you do, it’s better to be prepared.

Stephanie McLain

Tech enthusiast (not pro), photographer hobbyist, boy mom, animal lover, and Insurance Adjuster

Sump Pumps

By Stephanie McLain, Claims Adjuster

If you have a basement, chances are you have a sump pump. Unless you built your house yourself, it most likely just came with one and if you’re lucky, you’ve never had to use it. This unsung hero plays an important role in the first line of defense against a basement filling with water for whatever reason. As you think about it, you may think you don’t know much about them.

You may find yourself asking:

How do sump pumps work?

How important are they?

What happens if my sump pump fails?

Does my policy cover this?

These are great questions and you should know the answers so that you’re prepared in the event you either need to use the sump pump or your sump pump does not work.

How do sump pumps work?
Well, very simply actually. The pump is placed in a sump which is a pit or hole in the ground in your basement that is used to collect water filling your basement. Since it’s collecting the water in one location, it’s easier to pump it up its line and out of the house.

How important are they?
Importance varies by many factors such as your location, house type, etc. If you already have a sump pump, you probably need one and you should maintain it. If you are building a house, check with a contractor about the importance of installing one in your home.

What happens if my sump pump fails?
Damage is possible. If your sump pump fails, you are at risk of suffering water damages in your basement to your dwelling and your personal property. It is important to maintain your sump pump and have it checked annually if not semi-annually.

Does my policy cover this?
In the event damages occur, it’s a good idea to have coverage. As always, speak with your MAX agent about water back up and sump pump coverage. These coverages will help bring you wholeness in the event your sump pump fails and damages occur. Your MAX agent can go over what is and isn’t covered so that you’re knowledgeable and prepared for whatever may come. The key is getting the coverage. This is an optional endorsement and must be selected prior to damages occurring in order to take effect.

Next time you scoff at the eyesore in the corner that happens to be your sump pump, just remember, that sump pump is constantly on guard to keep your basement dry.

Stephanie McLain

Tech enthusiast (not pro), photographer hobbyist, boy mom, animal lover, and Insurance Adjuster

New Jewelry? It’s time for an Insurance Review.

By Stephanie McLain, Claims Adjuster

Love is in the air and some MAX members may receive jewelry during the month of February. It’s a wonderfully exciting thing receiving a shiny new token of affection. However, it would be equally as devastating if it were lost, stolen, or broken. It’s not always fun to review coverage every time something is gifted or something changes in your life, but it is definitely a good idea to do so.

Now back to jewelry. Be sure to take good detailed pictures and save them so that you can provide the pictures to your insurance company in the event a claim is ever necessary. Even though your admirer may not want you to know the cost associated with your gift, have them save the receipt — either a digital copy or hard copy so that it is available as well. Receipts are important in the event the device is lost or stolen, especially when it comes to jewelry since so many items are unique and hard to price match.

This next part is important for all jewelry not just new pieces.

Did you know appraisals only last two or three years? With market changes as well as conditional changes in the jewelry itself, jewelry needs to be reappraised occasionally.

A good appraisal should provide a description complete and detailed enough to adequately replace the item in the event it is damaged, lost, or stolen.

Did you receive jewelry this month or back around the holidays? What about a birthday? Contact your MAX agent today and they would be happy to do an insurance review!

About Stephanie

Tech enthusiast (not pro), photographer hobbyist, boy mom, animal lover, and Insurance Adjuster

New Year – New Home Inventory

By Stephanie McLain, Claims Adjuster

It’s human nature to think “That could never happen to me” and yet when disaster strikes, we want to be as prepared as possible — which is why we have insurance in the first place. However, many of us tend to overlook the vast amount of things we’ve accumulated over time. Have you packed to go on a trip and then started packing to return home and suddenly there is too much to fit in your suitcase? From souvenirs to dirty unfolded clothes, suddenly nothing fits quite like it did before.

Throughout the course of last year, your home, much like your suitcase, has probably obtained a few new items and lost a few older ones. Each year it’s important to inventory your belongings to see to it that you’re properly insured for the contents that are actually there. No one should ever have to experience being under-insured during a disaster, but on the other hand, you also should not be paying to be over-insured unnecessarily.

By walking through your house, documenting the items you have with a camera or a home inventory app like HomeZada, and reviewing your contents with your MAX agent, you can determine the best coverage for you and your home in the New Year.

About Stephanie

Tech enthusiast (not pro), photographer hobbyist, boy mom, animal lover, and Insurance Adjuster