The easiest way to document your personal property is to take pictures yourself with a traditional or digital camera, camcorder, or cell phone that has the capability to make video recordings. If you do not have access to any of this equipment, ask a friend, neighbor, or family member to assist you, or ask your property insurance agent for some local referrals. You should be able to document the value of most of your property from receipts and classified ads. Be sure to keep a copy of your inventory in a place other than your home, such as a safe deposit box, and let your family members know that you've created this list.
Most personal property depreciates (that is, goes down in value) after you buy it and will be worth only a fraction of what you paid for it. For valuable personal property, such as jewelry or an art collection, you'll need to consult a professional appraiser. You may be able to locate an appraiser through this Web site: www.appraisersassoc.org.
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