Digital Document Llc

Admin | November 20, 2011 | Comments Off

Digital Document Llc

Digital Document Llc

Fire, wind, hurricanes, tornados, water damage and theft happen without warning. Make a digital record of your possessions before a disaster strikes. This can prove invaluable in filing insurance claims or replacing specific items.

Storing copies of family photographs, important documents or childhood mementos will help recreate a connection with the past in case of a loss of the originals. Photography, video and scanning can all be used. Choose the method or a combination of methods to suit individual circumstances.

Take Photos of Home Contents for Insurance Purposes Using a Digital Camera

  • Buy two new photo cards for your digital camera. Buy cards with ample storage and take good resolution photos of your home and its contents.
  • Open drawers and photograph their contents. Take close-up pictures of antiques, jewelry and art work.
  • Make a backup and immediately take one card to your safe deposit box or to a trusted friend or relative. Do not leave it in the home where it can also be destroyed,
  • Work from the second photo card to label the photos with additional information when time permits. This could include the number of pieces of silverware and the pattern, the artist for a painting, or the denomination and value of a coin collection. Include the cost or current value if known.

Video Home Contents for Documentation Should Loss Occur

  • Take a video of your home as you narrate. As you go through a room, speak about items that are unique. Include information such as details about the purchase. If it is a family heirloom talk about who originally owned it and any history.
  • Include tools and lawn equipment from the garage.
  • Video the outside of the home and include grills, outdoor furniture and landscaping.
  • Store this video in your safe deposit box or with a relative or both.

Make a Backup of All Picture Files and Computer Files

  • Use a portable drive to backup all files on your computer including photo and video files. Store this in your safe deposit box or with a relative or friend. Another option is to use an internet-based file backup service. Choose both for an extra layer of protection.
  • Get old family movies and video copied onto disks and store a backup of these away from the home.

Scan and Store Household Documents and Records

  • Invest in a sheet -fed scanner and scan purchase receipts. Proof of purchase is useful in filing claims for stolen items and makes accurate information easier to retrieve. It can also be used for documentation if selling an item.
  • Scan important family documents such as birth certificates, military discharges and shot records. Store these with the other document files.
  • Scan "refrigerator" artwork that the children have made. Choose one or two pieces from each year. These can provide a connection to the past if the originals are destroyed.
  • Scan greeting cards from aging parents, inspirational notes from friends, old newspaper articles not available on line or certificates of achievement.

Make a Plan for Completing Home Inventory Before Disaster Strikes

Documenting everything at one time can be a daunting task. Start by taking the photographs and moving that photo disk off site. Then make a schedule to complete the other tasks at predetermined intervals.