Saving big money with your camera
By bobmnu
@bobmnu (8157)
United States
July 22, 2008 12:46am CST
When you talk about money and your camera most people think of selling pictures to other people to use. There is a way to save money. Several years ago we had a fire with a lot of smoke damage. Had we had more damage the amount of the claim would have depended upon what I lost. What furniture did I have, what size was the TV, What did I lose in the fire. The adjuster told me that many people don't have proof of what they had lost. If you are going to prove that you have a claim it is best to have some proof. Many people will make a CD of their homes and contents and store it off site, such as with your insurance agent or a relative who lives in a different city. Having photos of the inside and out side of your house can help if you suffer a loss. Not only will it show what you have but the condition of the items. Take lots of photos highlighting you house and pay attention to those items that may have a value above the market. For example a wooden cabinet as opposed to a compressed wood cabinet. By doing this you will avoid many arguments with the insurance co and have a stronger clime if you have to go to court to settle.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@trickiwoo (2702)
• United States
22 Jul 08
A photographer friend of mine was in a car accident a few years ago. Because she was a photographer, she had her camera in her car. So immediately after the accident, she pulled out the camera and started taking pictures of everything- her car, the street, the other cars involved, etc. Those photos came in handy later when one of the other drivers involved in the accident sued her! With the photos, she could prove she wasn't responsible for the accident.
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
23 Jul 08
My daughter was in an accident where she she had to pull 5-7 feet into the intersection because of an illegally parked over sized Motor Home. Between the time of the accident and the police arriving the Motor Home was able to leave so it appeared that my daughter had pulled too far into the intersection. A camera would have been nice to prove her point.
1 person likes this
@ufo_thexfiles (723)
• Malaysia
22 Jul 08
That was a very good sharing. Having those pictures as a proof will help us very much in the future.
Imagine when we just have lost most of everything in our house and insurance refuse to approve our claim, we hitted twice!
This sharing is very useful.
Thanks a lot bobmnu.
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
22 Jul 08
you can also uses photos of family events in your house to establish a claim. Next time you have people over to your home take a few photos and go around the room, this will show the current belongings you have and is less likely to be challenged as you set it up by adding things that were not yours to increase the claim. There are people who take photos and load up their house and try to get more money form the insurance co.
@manunulat (604)
• Philippines
22 Jul 08
True, cameras are indeed very helpful in documenting the amount of loss in the example you have cited. I think, it would be beneficial also to use it when you are claiming for health insurance. However, in my country (Philippines), it is almost impossible to make such documentations when the necessary papers follows certain SOP's that are duly signed by health authorities.
While insurance is not so popular, I still find the value of cameras is saving money in health care claims. My uncle, who had undergone craniotomy/craniectomy due to a motorcycle accident saved from a pile of medical bills and physical therapy bills when we photographed him. We photographed him when he was half-paralyzed until he was discharged (Since he was temporarily back to work from a less operational task in the military to office work.) In that manner, we had also obtained some support from his professional affiliations other than the medical reports that were attached...
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
22 Jul 08
It also helps to document traffic accidents and when you have had a loss photos can show the extent of the damage. I have seen adjuster report a dented fender when it is bent and creased. One requires some minor work the other requires a new part. My daughters are having some major remodeling done to their house. I have been photographing the progress. They will have proof of what was done and when it was done.
1 person likes this
