| Q. What is Docutography(SM) Asset/Inventory Photography Documentation?
A. Docutography(SM) Asset/Inventory Photography is the service of locating and photographing all items in one’s possession: Your Physical Assets. This may include Real Property (from all ground-level angles, indoor and outdoor), Personal Property, such as Appliances, Art, Autos, Closets, Collectibles, Drawers, Electronics, Flooring, Furnishings, Groceries, Gym Equipment, Jewelry, Walls, Windows, and everything in between, that is of monetary value.
Q. Who is this service for?
A. Home Owners, Apartment/Home Renters, Small Business Owners, and Collectors who want a High Quality Digital Compilation of their Physical Assets. By having this, and when it is time to file a claim with your insurance company, you will be prepared for the insurance company's inquisition, even at a time when you may not feel your best.
With this Digital Compilation, you will have a record of all your physical possessions and their condition (to better support an item's claimed value) at the time of loss. Combined with your receipts (which can also be recorded digitally), the compilation may help you reach a significantly better settlement with your insurance company. Without it, your Claims Adjuster will be bound by their "book" values. Additionally, with the compilation, you are less likely to forget to claim anything you lost.
Additionally, this service may be beneficial for Museums, Art Galleries, Fine Collections, Estate and Financial Planning, Legal Positioning, Prenuptial Agreements, Divorce, Court Ordered Documentation, etc. Ask your appropriate advisor about it.
Q. You say “I know what I own!”
A. Do you really? Try this. Grab a pencil and a sheet of paper. Sit in any one room of your home or office, perhaps right where you are at this very moment. With pencil and paper in hand, close your eyes, and with eyes closed, try to recall everything in the room that you believe you own. You’re under no pressure right now, so this should be easy. If you have to open your eyes to write, stay focused on the paper, not looking around the room. Now begin writing everything you believe is in this room. When finished, take a look around you. What did you miss? I’ll bet there were quite few things. This little exercise will demonstrate how easy it is to overlook something.
Imagine now, a more stressful situation. Imagine that your home or business was burglarized, or worse, it was destroyed by a fire or other natural or human-induced disaster. After this traumatic event, you may feel a significant amount of pressure, local authorities will likely have questions; and certainly you will need to file a claim with your insurance company. How well do you think you might recall all your possessions during this time? The reality is that it may be years before you remember that you once owned a priceless antique that may have been "safely" tucked away in your attic.
Your insurance company will be asking you a lot of questions, and looking for evidence of ownership of claimed items. Receipts will be helpful, but proof of condition may prove even more valuable. During this time of distress, how clearly can you think? The reality is, after any traumatic event, we don’t think as we normally would. We tend to forget things, as our minds are already working overtime with so many issues that may or may not be event-related. You are more likely to be concerned with the well-being of your loved ones, your pets, feelings of desperation, and how to cope with it all. What will you do?
Unlike our emotions, we have insurance for our things. While we may have control over our emotions for anything not material, we don’t have control over the insurance adjuster, who will be bound by facts; and not opinions. If you can’t prove you own it, and prove its condition at time of loss, you may not receive the proper value; and that's assuming you receive anything at all. If you have your Assets/Inventories well documented, then even with a heavily taxed mind, and with a proper inventory, the only thing you will need to recall is one thing: your stored information. That information can be safely stored on CD, DVD, Flash Card, or even at an Online Storage service.
With this information conveniently and safely located, you can confidently provide your insurance claims agent with the documentation they must have to efficiently expedite your claim, and more importantly, provide you with a fair and reasonable settlement. Even under the most dire set of circumstances, you will be able to rebuild your physical world to near perfect condition.
Q. Why is this necessary (“I have insurance!”)?
A. Again, even with insurance and quite possibly because you have insurance, you need a complete and accurate inventory.
Q. Who should perform this work?
A. You may do the work yourself (it could take several hours to several days or weeks, dependant on your abilities), or you may choose a company, such as NBR Enterprises, who specializes in this detailed field of photography and documentation. NBR Enterprises will perform the service for you with accuracy, speed, and details, which are significant in terms of a successful, reliable, and cost effective solution!
Q. When should I take inventory?
A. Immediately! Even if you choose to do it yourself! Something is better than nothing. Remember, no matter what your situation, you simply cannot tell when a disaster will strike. Even if your home or shop is a mess, disaster doesn’t care, but you must care. You must do this now! Don’t wait until something happens! Update at least twice a year! Updates are critical to an accurate inventory.
Q. Where should I keep my completed inventory?
A. First and foremost, if you don’t have one, get a Safe Deposit Box. Keep a copy there. Also keep a copy of your Office Inventory at home, and a copy of your Home Inventory at your office. Keep a copy with a relative or trusted friend; one who is relatively far (geographically) away from the protected property. You might even consider your Insurance Agent or Attorney. Maintain at least 3 copies in or among any of these remote locations. Also, if you have a computer, keep an active copy on your Local Drive.
Q. How do I choose the best recording method?
A. Photos or Videos are the preferred methods. If choosing between the two formats, I recommend high-quality still photos because a high-quality still photo will provide significantly greater detail than that of a video. With video, you will want to choose a format: Regular, HD, or Blu-Ray, and hope that when the time comes, the correct playback device will handle your selected format. With photos, any PC or MAC computer, or DVD player can read JPG photo files.
Q. What is the cost of this service?
A. Since no two homes, businesses or collections are the same, we offer you a pressure-free, no-obligation consultation, during which time, we can provide you with an estimate. I encourage you to contact me as soon as possible.
Q. Does this service evaluate, appraise or otherwise provide any advice about any item or situation?
A. No. This service is strictly a documenting service, with photography (including video if so requested) as the main vehicle, as well as the creation of an optional End-User's Database (created with Microsoft® Access®), as the sole finished service provided.
Please call (714) 223-9484 for your no-obligation consultation.
Email: sales@docutography.com
Please note: NBR Enterprises is located in and exclusively serves only Orange County, CA.
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