Whether your items of value have been left to you by a deceased relative, or you’ve worked hard and purchased them as an investment, you’ll naturally want to keep them as safe and secure as you possibly can, for as long as is necessary.
While storing your items of value in a high security residential safe is the best way to prevent them from being damaged by fire or water, or from being stolen, you should also take the following precautions:
- Always update your inventory
If you don’t keep an inventory of your valuables, you should create one right away! With a catalogue of valuables, you can make sure that everything is where it’s supposed to be, and can easily identify whether something may have been stolen, or has gone missing. Not only that, but you will also be able to prove ownership to the relevant authorities or insurance providers in the event of an emergency, such as a house fire or burglary.
Scan your inventory, receipts and notes about any of your valuable items so that you don’t have to root through a pile of paperwork to find what you need. You can even create a visual record by recording each item along with a brief description. Be sure to update your inventory each time you add to it, or remove an item.
- Keep them in a secure location
Storing precious and valuable items in a high security, fire resistant safe is really the only way to ensure that they’re as protected as they can be, and if you hide the safe and have it professionally bolted to the floor or wall, you can keep them even safer, for longer.
Always purchase your safe from a reputable manufacturer, and ideally have it professionally installed to make sure that it’s as secure as it can be.
- Insure your valuables for the right amount
Did you know that standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover certain items in your home? Even if the value of the items falls within your limit for damages, expensive items such as jewelry, may need to be catalogued and insured separately. If you’re unsure, your insurance agent will be able to help you determine the right amount of coverage, and will visit your home or place of work at a time that’s convenient for you. Compare offers if you’re getting insurance for the first time, or shopping around for a better deal, and don’t commit to a policy until you’re 100% sure that it’s the right one for you.
Ultimately, storing your valuables in a high security safe gives you the best level of protection, but having an inventory and insuring each item for the right amount, can also help you protect your assets in the event of a theft or other emergency.