Insurance App Helps Homeowners Keep Inventory Of Belongings
BOSTON (CBS) - It's a sad fact of summer, but this is the time of year when home robberies are most prevalent.
Often in the wake of a robbery, or another tragic event like a fire, many homeowners aren't able to document exactly what they lost.
According to a survey by Liberty Mutual, fewer than 1 out of 5 Americans has a list of their belongings. A third are unsure of the value of what they own.
When thieves broke into Katy Caliguiri's home, they went right for the good stuff. "They went into my bedroom and they took expensive purses and jewelry; unfortunately, every single piece of jewelry that I own."
A year has passed since the break in and Katy still wonders if she reported everything that was stolen. She did not have a detailed list of all the items in her home.
Cassie Turner of Liberty Mutual Insurance stressed the importance of taking an inventory of all belongings.
Liberty Mutual Insurance now offers "The Home Gallery" app. It is an easy way to log possessions.
A homeowner snaps a picture of everything they own along with a brief description of the item and when it was purchased. It is also possible to include receipts.
Filing an insurance claim or a police report can be stressful, particularly if it is coupled with a traumatic event like a robbery or fire. The more documentation the victim can produce, the easier it will be to get affairs settled.
Katy Caliguiri wishes she had done a better job of documenting everything in her home.
"I think it would have given me a sense of safety afterwards, knowing exactly what was gone, instead of continually guessing and wondering.
The Home Gallery app is free. It's available to all renters and homeowners, not just Liberty Mutual customers.