A house is filled with a thousand memories, right? Take a look around your house and admire all the unique and interesting possessions you have lying around the house. I’m sure many of them mean a lot to you. I’m sure you have possessions that have been passed down from your mother or father, which was passed down from their father or mother. Jewelry, clothing, children’s toys, and antiques all mean so much to you. But are they protected?

Do you know what you would do if a deadly fire or flood destroyed them all? Do you know about contents insurance? If not, let me explain. Contents insurance provides coverage for all those possessions you hold dear. They are reimbursed in money if they are destroyed in a natural disaster or by theft. This

A house fire can spark up in a matter of minutes from a variety of sources. Sometimes the source of the fire is preventable while other times it’s just a fluke. Either way a fire will destroy anything in its path. Floods and water damage can ruin possessions quickly as well. And what about security from thieves? Don’t you want that protection too?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, hire an appraiser if you haven’t already. The insurance company your policy is under will provide them for you. Make the call and request one. The appraiser will arrive at a designated time to assess your possessions and their worth. They have been trained to assess worth for a living.

The insurance company and appraiser are here to help. Let them! Allow them to talk around the house and take your time. I know it’s discomforting for some to allow a stranger to walk around their home and examine their every possession, but it’s necessary in the insurance world. The more freedom they have, the easier and more accurately they can calculate your worth.

Based on the comments made by the appraiser to the insurance company, the insurance broker may decide to make additional suggestions to the home owner. These are tips and suggestions that allow you to protect your home better. Sometimes the insurance company creates stipulations, certain rules and regulations that must be met before the insurance will provider full coverage.

For theft, insurance brokers are quick to suggest home alarm systems in case of an intrusion. If your home does not already have one of these, it’s a phenomenal idea. Wouldn’t you feel safer with one operating inside your home? Of course you would. Secondly, insurance brokers may request the installation of a safe or other protection unit to store your jewelry.

You might be thinking I don’t have enough valuable items or jewelry to need contents insurance, but you may be in for a surprise. Your valuables can add up quickly and usually are worth more than you may think. Hire an appraiser and gain a rough estimate. It’s always nice to have that protection, “Just in case.

Graham McKenzie is the content Syndication Manager at insurance123.co.zaSouth Africa’s leading Household Insurance information portal