I can't find it at the moment, but there was a Reddit post from a claims adjuster that said when filing a claim, be as specific as possible. So don't just put down "55-inch flatscreen television", it's a "Samsung ABC-55-OLED with stand" (be honest! insurance fraud is a crime). This is because the policy you have with your carrier says they have to replace your stuff with as close to original as possible. If you aren't specific enough, you get reimbursed for the cheapest 55" TV they can find.
So go through your house and make an inventory, writing down the actual model numbers and when you bought the item. A video record where you verbally give that same information can help too. Don't forget small items like the pots & pans, knives & forks, bath towels & linens.
Pay close attention to your policy's exclusions. High value items like jewelry, tools, firearms, art, and computers often have fairly low limits on them. Or maybe your teen-aged daughter has a closet full of designer clothes. Get additional specialty insurance on these - it's cheaper than you might think.
So far as saving your data - if it's not offsite it's toast [0]. Copy it onto an encrypted external USB drive and leave it at the office or at a friend or relative's house.
Have a storage tote with all your important "must-save" papers and some cash, so you can just grab it and go in case you have to evacuate. Print out your insurance policy and important phone numbers so that you don't need electronics and power to view them.
[0] I don't know why insurance companies don't offer 10gb of storage with someone like Backblaze for their customers. Seems like a natural thing to want, now that everyone has electronic files for everyday life.
So go through your house and make an inventory, writing down the actual model numbers and when you bought the item. A video record where you verbally give that same information can help too. Don't forget small items like the pots & pans, knives & forks, bath towels & linens.
Pay close attention to your policy's exclusions. High value items like jewelry, tools, firearms, art, and computers often have fairly low limits on them. Or maybe your teen-aged daughter has a closet full of designer clothes. Get additional specialty insurance on these - it's cheaper than you might think.
So far as saving your data - if it's not offsite it's toast [0]. Copy it onto an encrypted external USB drive and leave it at the office or at a friend or relative's house.
Have a storage tote with all your important "must-save" papers and some cash, so you can just grab it and go in case you have to evacuate. Print out your insurance policy and important phone numbers so that you don't need electronics and power to view them.
[0] I don't know why insurance companies don't offer 10gb of storage with someone like Backblaze for their customers. Seems like a natural thing to want, now that everyone has electronic files for everyday life.