As Part of Your Spring Cleaning, Include a Home Inventory

Allstate research shows that more can be done to prepare in the upcoming year, including making a home inventory and reviewing their insurance coverage

Now that the Northeast is finally ready to open the windows and let in some fresh air, many will also take part in the unofficial ritual of spring cleaning. But even as everyone tries to forget the destructive weather of the fall and winter, the time to prepare for the next season is now. A new survey shows that while Americans know that their homes could be impacted by a natural disaster, many are not certain of their coverage and might be unprepared for such a disaster if it happens.

In the survey conducted last May, a large percentage of people with homeowners or renters insurance expressed concern about damage caused by a natural disaster, and even believed that there has been a higher than normal amount of major weather events in the past few years. However, a much lower percentage were clear on exactly what their insurance policies covered; even less had looked at or discussed their policies in the past three years. This lack of awareness might leave the average homeowner or renter in a vulnerable position come hurricane season, which is why spring is a good time to start thinking ahead to the near future.

“There are many things that can happen in the event of damage or loss, but there are also plenty of proactive ways to prepare yourself before it happens,” said Allstate Spokesperson in New York Jaclyn Darrohn. “Start by taking the time to create a home inventory – identify what you have, and learn what your policy covers.  Allstate offers tools that help inventory homes and assess the worth of a home’s contents. Taking advantage of those tools and reviewing your coverage can leave you better informed and better prepared.”

Among the findings of the 2012 survey were the following:

• 43 percent of respondents were concerned about damage from a natural disaster, and 53 percent believed the country has faced more natural disasters than normal over the past several years.
• 22 percent were not certain or didn’t know if they would be covered by their insurance policies in the event of a natural disaster.
• Just 8 percent of respondents said they would take insurance documents or records with them if forced to evacuate their home.
• 30 percent of respondents have not read or reviewed their homeowners or renters policies in the last three years.

One way for those worried about their coverage after a disastrous event to take a home inventory is the Allstate® Digital Locker^TM, available online at DigitalLocker.com and as a mobile app for iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android. The free app guides consumers through the creation of a detailed home inventory that can be stored securely online and printed out for safekeeping. Allstate also offers What’s Your Stuff Worth?, a site – available in English and Spanish – that helps assess how much belongings are worth and make real-world comparisons of costs to cover your possessions.

About the Survey 
The survey was conducted by phone May 16, 17, and 19, among a national representative sample of 1,000 American adults with homeowners or renters insurance. The margin of error for the national sample of residents is ±3.1 percent. The survey was conducted by FTI Consulting, Inc. (FTI) for Allstate.

For More information and a new quote please call Shirley Eizember, Pinckney Insurance Agency, 41 Port Watson St, Cortland New York. 607-756-8505

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

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