Serial Numbers Records & Insurance

[Daltex1]

I was just wanting to know if you guys keep photos of your toys along with the serial #'s in the safe in case "something" happens? I recently have done this and my wife told me that I should take it to my insurance company and let them know about them along with How much I paid for each one of them.(The last part really chaps her rear end!) Is this true? Do I need to inform My insurance com pany of my firearms or will they be covered as long as I show proof?

[seamusTX]

You need to read your policy. It will state general categories of things that are covered, and probably some specific things that are not covered.

Mine says nothing about firearms, but it does not cover loss of cash, securities, or jewelry worth more than $1,000.

- Jim

[anygunanywhere]

I have a list of all my firearms on several computers.

I have photographed all of them. I photographed the serial numbers.

My insurance homeowners insurance is a fixed amount that would not cover them all. The NRA insures my firearms.

Anygunanywhere

[flintknapper]

I have a list of all my firearms on several computers.

I have photographed all of them. I photographed the serial numbers.

My insurance homeowners insurance is a fixed amount that would not cover them all. The NRA insures my firearms.

Anygunanywhere

Same thing here. I have a paper copy of the serial numbers (and description) of all firearms as well as digital photos backed up on a disc. Just takes a few minutes to do (per firearm).

[KaiserB]

I have a list of all my firearms on several computers.

I have photographed all of them. I photographed the serial numbers.

My insurance homeowners insurance is a fixed amount that would not cover them all. The NRA insures my firearms.

Anygunanywhere

Same thing here. I have a paper copy of the serial numbers (and description) of all firearms as well as digital photos backed up on a disc. Just takes a few minutes to do (per firearm).

Working briefly in the past doing insurance claim repairs... I learned the people with photos and videos of their belongings cleaned up with the insurance companies. I remember one case in particular where the insurance offer was to replace (based on proration) some home fixtures, based on the insurance companies assumptions of what level of quality should be in middle class neighborhood house. Needless to say the homeowner was not happy as they had some premium fixtures and contents. Out came the video camera footage...down went the insurance company. The owner had done a walk through of their house on an annual basis filming each room, contents, etc. (including closets). It was apparent from the video what was lost and the insurance company had to pay up.

A receipt, or appraisal is great information, however, a receipt and a photo is better.

[WildBill]

In my experience, most homeowner and renter's insurance policies cover a $1,000 loss for firearms. A quick call to your insurance agent will verify your maximum. You can get a rider to get more coverage. The rider will require a list of the firearms. The same limit usually applies for jewelry, furs, and art. A rider is fairly expensive. IMO, a better investment is a gun safe. Have both is better, but if you can afford guns, you can afford a safe.

+1 on photos or videos. They are proof of ownership, and can document the condition of the firearm.

[stevie_d_64]

Most homeowner and renter's insurance only cover a $1,000 loss for firearms. A quick call to your insurance agent will verify your maximum. You can get a rider to get more coverage. The rider will require a list of the firearms. The same limit usually applies for jewelry, furs, and art. A rider is fairly expensive. IMO, a better investment is a gun safe. Have both is better, but if you can afford guns, you can afford a safe.

+1 on photos or videos. They are proof of ownership, and can document the condition of the firearm.

I agree 100%...Document everything! Photos, receipts, invoices on any modifications and upgrades etc etc...Keep a set of that documentation on hand, and a copy off-site (at a relatives possibly)...You can update that off-site package occasionally on your visits...Thats what we do...

As far as covering them with a "rider" to your overall insurance plan...I think its worth it...It's only money, right???

[LedJedi]

I don't keep photos but I do keep serial numbers, detailed descriptions, what I paid, etc on a remote server away from my home that i can access from anywhere.

[InfoTechCHL2007]

I don't keep photos but I do keep serial numbers, detailed descriptions, what I paid, etc on a remote server away from my home that i can access from anywhere.

I think I just experienced a twinge of envy.
Excellent idea.

[CJATE]

I keep it all on my hard drive and keep a hard copy and CD at my dads house, should the loss be due to fire, you will want a copy elses where (with a copy of will, life insurace and a few other things)

[ScubaSigGuy]

I don't keep photos but I do keep serial numbers, detailed descriptions, what I paid, etc on a remote server away from my home that I can access from anywhere.

I do the same with the addition of photos. If you are eligible to use USAA they offer personal property coverage at a pretty good price and will cover firearms.


They are going to ask you for the complete serial number and I don't recommend giving them the entire number. I gave them the first 3 or 4 characters depending on the number

[LedJedi]

I don't keep photos but I do keep serial numbers, detailed descriptions, what I paid, etc on a remote server away from my home that i can access from anywhere.

I think I just experienced a twinge of envy.
Excellent idea.

two words.... google documents :)

I dont keep any HIGHLY personal information in google documents but it sure is nice for some stuff.

[Rokyudai]

I keep pics of serials and firearms, along with purchase info., service/cleanings, and accessories in this database program. Someone on another board recommended it a while ago and I've used it for a couple years now. I keep back up on a external hard drive, cd, and a thumb drive.

It's free to download and easy to use.

http://somanyroads.org/gunsafe/

Homeowners insurance with a rider keeps them financially replaceable, sentimental is another thing...

[Afff_667]

All good advice to be sure, but insurance companies worry me for more than the usual reasons. Insurance companies are not looking out for our best interests and are not to be trusted. They are responsible to stock owners only and may be heavily influenced by outside forces. I know, I know...insurance is a necessary evil and you have to have it. That's a discussion for another time.

I am not sending a list of guns to anyone for any reason. Insurance companies represent a considerably powerful and well funded lobby in Austin and DC. They could become allied with the anti-gun crowd in the future and used to exert financial pressure on gun owners through home owner rates and insurability considerations. Same thing goes with filing a claim for a stolen gun. That information enters their database and you're forever pegged as a gun owner.

[BigBlueDodge]

You will increase our chances of getting payment for your guns if you can show tangible proof that you did infact own them in the first place. Assume someone breaks into your house and steals your gun safe. How does the insurance company know that you did own $5k, $10K or more worth of firearms? Do they just take your word, and write you a check? If so, why can't you just say that you also had your wife's 5 carat diamond ring in the safe as well (your wife doesn't own a 5 carat diamond ring). At this point it is your word against theirs. Now, you can make it a pretty short argument by producing records which prove that you did infact own the guns, and how much you paid for them.

Look at it this way. If you wreck your car, your insurance company doesn't ask you what was damaged and send you a check blindly. They want to prove what the damange was before they send any money. In your case, by keeping your records, you can prove what the damage was and get compensated for it.