Super Bowl week brings with it some of the greatest excitement that any single event on earth can bring. Thousands of people all over the world will watch this event on TV, Internet, and even in person. In many cases people watch this incredible event somewhere other than their own home. And it’s when we travel that one of the most asked question arises – “is my stuff covered?”
The good news is your “Stuff” or as we know it “Personal Property” is covered under most homeowners and renters policies. And most policies extend coverage for your “Stuff” anywhere in the world our stuff may travel.
However here are a few things you should consider when traveling with your “Stuff” –
- The Personal property is covered by the covered perils of the policy – in most cases those perils are losses due to theft, fire, and wind/hail.
- It’s important to understand that any losses are still subject to your policy deductible – so if you have a $1,000 deductible on your policy you would need to have over $1,000 of personal property loss before it even makes sense to file a claim.
- In many cases when you file a “Theft” claim it may affect (increase) your rates for many years in the future – so this is something to consider before making a claim.
So when considering these things here are some things to consider when traveling with your “stuff” –
- Only bring the stuff you need – over packing is something I have to work on every time I travel. The key is to bring just want you need.
- If you are traveling with valuable stuff – be sure to find a location you can secure your valuables – maybe a hotel safe, or keep it with you.
- Before your trip, be sure you have a detailed record of the items your taking. This can be done several ways –
- Create a written list of your personal property that includes a full description including any serial numbers and approx value.
- Another option is to take photos of your stuff – again trying to capture as much details of the items as you can.
- Lastly, you can take a video of your stuff – that way you not only record a visual of what your stuff looks like, but you can also get audio as you describe the items in detail.
- Whichever way you choose, be sure to keep the list, photos, or video in a secure place – so if you have a loss, you can provide the adjuster with the information they will need to process the claim.
So whether you are one of the lucky individuals who is actually traveling to this years Super Bowl in Indianapolis, or if you are simply traveling across town, be sure you keep these tips in mind.
If you’ve had some of your “Stuff” stolen, or damaged while traveling, tell us about it below. If you have any tips or tricks for travelers – please pass them along as well.
