This is something that is,. indeed, very important, although in most cases neglected, and especially so by the newly married, as insurance something they least consider. Many a home, on which there was no insurance, has been burned out, leaving the occupants nothing with which to make a new start. For the slight expense incurred one can not afford to be without insurance.

An inventory booklet having blank pages for the listing of household furniture, wearing apparel, etc., and their value, can be obtained from almost any lire insurance agent. Carefully list with ink everything and its value. It is poor policy to exaggerate the value of these articles as a fire settlement is made by adjusters paid to do nothing else, whose broad experience makes their judgment very keen as to values, and eliminates any chance of fraud on the part of the policy holder. Put the book with the insurance policy in a secure place, outside of the house if possible. It is advisable to have a duplicate at home in case one copy burns. If a fire occurs it will he the means of saving many dollars in adjusting a claim, In the event of a fire. do not move a thing, or clean up the debris until settlement is made with the insurance company, as the insured usually loses by not adhering to this procedure. The writer had an experience of this very kind and left the burned things untouched for ten days or two weeks, and at a great inconvenience, before the adjuster called. After making the settlement the adjuster remarked that he paid the largest percentage of loss of his entire experience, and he had been in the adjusting business for many years. This satisfactory settlement was due to two facts - first, the things were left undisturbed, and second, there was an inventory of the goods in a safe outside of the house.

Insurance On Leased Goods

If good are purchased on a credit plan, and a lease or mortgage held on them by another party, one is expected to pay for those goods, and consequently should carry insurance as well as taxes upon them. If there should be no insurance upon them and they should burn the person having the goods would lose doubly, as the burning of the goods would not cancel the debt. When buying insurance, if goods are on a lease and not fully paid for, it isn't necessary to inform the insurance companies of that fact, as there may be trouble in getting a settlement after a fire, although the insurance companies are very willing to take the money each year as a premium, and do not seem concerned when the policy is written whether the goods are obtained on a lease or otherwise.

Understand Your Policy

A policy is seldom thoroughly understood until after a fire, or until time of final settlement. Then, to one's surprise, it is sometimes found that the policy does not cover as much as expected, and that the insurance company is not as willing to settle in full as was presumed at the time the insurance was written. Insurance companies never pay a total loss, as they justly figure that, from usage, there is a certain depreciation in value.

When taking a policy, if not familiar with .some of the terms, have them clearly explained. Keep a record of all insurance - when written, for how long, in what company or companies, and the time of its expiration. Do not let a minute slip by at time of expiration without renewing the policy, or having another to date from the same time, because that minute might he the time when a fire would occur.

Be sure to carry insurance, as the cost is trifling when it is realized that a fire of a few hours can leave one without a single possession.