Reminder: Have your inventory up-to-date

[ShunZu]

If you've ever had 1 or more pieces stolen, you already know the value of having your collections fully inventoried and kept in a different place. Nothing wrong with duplicate copies - 1 in the safe, 1 in a safe-deposit-box for backup.

Speaking from experience here... unfortunately got hit in 1978. Having a list of serial numbers, pics of several of them (before digi days, which is much easier now), what I paid for them, and as many receipts as I could put in the book was very helpful to the investigating officers. The burglars had also stolen the book, but they'd tossed it out in the ditch less than 100 yds from my place in the country, and a neighbor found it and got it back to me.

Just a reminder, collectors.

 

[Eric F]

good advisefor all gun owners, I keep a coppy of all my stuff at my mom and dads house. This can help not just burgler issues but natural disaster issues also. Who knows where that safe will end up in a tornado.

 

[Spyvie]

I just recently created an Excel spreadsheet with all my firearm model and serial numbers, including their monetary values. I also added one cell that calculates the total value of the entire collection.

I then emailed this file as an attachment to my Gmail account. This way I know I can get access to it anywhere no matter what happens to my home or my file cabinet or whatever.

After reading some of what went on recently in Kansas after a tornado struck I was concerned. From what I read, legal gun owners were required to show proof of ownership in order to claim their own firearms from a pile of “confiscated weapons”. After that incident an up to date inventory just seemed prudent.

I use the Gmail as a backup trick for a lot of documents.

 

[xjchief]

Just completed mine a couple days ago.

 

[jason10mm]

I do this every few years and usually "rediscover" a few guns I had completely forgotten about

 

[Dismantler]

Just so you shooters know...I am a licensed insurance agent. You need to understand that on your homeowner's or renter's policies there is a maximum of $1500 - $2500 for the THEFT of guns, furs, silverware, jewelry, and other things that are generally the targets of burglars. Look on your policy, or ask your agent about this.

Let's assume that you have $5,000 worth of guns. Your home gets burglarized and they are all stolen. You will only get the $1500 - $2500 that is listed on your policy. If the house burned down, you'd get the $5,000. The limit is for theft, not other covered perils.

You can get your agent to adapt your policy (called scheduling the items) or sell you a separate Personal Articles Policy. Different companies use different terms. This will cover you for theft to the full value of your guns. Collectible peices may need to be apppraised, just as jewelry or antiques are. Call your agent.

Also, those of you who rent...a renter's policy is a good idea. It gives you coverage for your personal belongings, and can also be modified to cover your guns to full value for theft. It has other benefits, too, but I will not go into those. See your agent for details.

 

[vzenmn]

I do this every few years and usually "rediscover" a few guns I had completely forgotten about

Wish I was you.

I have a record of mine in the notepad on my e-mail and a hard copy hidden somewhere in the house.

 

[shdwfx]

I do this every few years and usually "rediscover" a few guns I had completely forgotten about

Wish I was you.

You...ah...wish you had long term memory loss?

 

[MarcusWendt]

Thanks for the reminder. I keep an inventory, but I've forgotten to add few new acquisitions. Thank you.

 

[the naked prophet]

I then emailed this file as an attachment to my Gmail account.

Keep in mind that Google is more than willing to work with any government, and willingly turned over names and incriminating internet activity to the Chinese authorities, to suppress free speech. I'm sure they wouldn't have any qualms turning over your list of guns to any government agency which asked, local, state, fed, or foreign.

 

[Spyvie]

Keep in mind that Google is more than willing to work with any government, and willingly turned over names and incriminating internet activity to the Chinese authorities, to suppress free speech. I'm sure they wouldn't have any qualms turning over your list of guns to any government agency which asked, local, state, fed, or foreign.

I think that's a little alarmist, and also somewhat true of any email or Internet service provider. “Willingly" is an inaccurate characterization in this case. To suggest that Google would turn my email over to the Chinese is absurd, and of course they would turn it over to the US authorities if required to by law... just like any other provider.

At any rate, I use attached documents, not a list in the body text. I could encrypt the files just as easily, with free encryption strong enough that it's virtually impossible to crack.

I like Gmail for it's 10 Meg attachment and 2 Gigs or more of storage. They also wont shut you account down if you don't log in once a month like Hotmail or Yahoo. I have one Gmail account I created a couple years ago just to store MP3s, I hadn't logged in for a very long time when I checked it a couple weeks ago and everything was still there.

Besides, all my guns are legal, I have nothing to hide, and if I did I wouldn't be worried about a list.

 

[Dysfunctional Individual]

Having nothing to hide is good when using Gmail, because nothing will be hidden -- not just from the government, but mainly from hackers taking advantage of Gmail vulnerabilities or indirect exploits (e.g., sniffing your password or taking over your system remotely). Encryption will help, but shouldn't be viewed as a 100% solution.

 

[jdc1244]

I have my gun log stored on a portable memory stick – I take it with me when I’m gone for a while. It fits on my key chain. Updated copies are also stored online with a hosting service.

 

[Spyvie]

Having nothing to hide is good when using Gmail, because nothing will be hidden -- not just from the government, but mainly from hackers taking advantage of Gmail vulnerabilities or indirect exploits (e.g., sniffing your password or taking over your system remotely). Encryption will help, but shouldn't be viewed as a 100% solution.

Pure FUD.

Sorry if I've veered this thread OT, I'm done with this topic.

 

[Dysfunctional Individual]

Pure FUD.

There's certainly F, as there should be, but no U or D about these threats.

 

[huntsman]

Let's assume that you have $5,000 worth of guns. Your home gets burglarized and they are all stolen. You will only get the $1500 - $2500 that is listed on your policy. If the house burned down, you'd get the $5,000. The limit is for theft, not other covered perils.

I used to carry a rider on my guns. But I switched to a new company and agent he told me his company requires and appraisal and serial # filed with the agent to do a rider.
He also told me that for replacement purposes that if it said 12ga pump the company would find the cheapest priced 12ga to replace the lost one.

so if I had a Winchester model 12 it could be replaced with and 870 or worse a nordico.

 

[Threeband]

for replacement purposes that if it said 12ga pump the company would find the cheapest priced 12ga to replace the lost one.

Man, I'd walk right out of that place and find a real insurance company.

If your house burns down will they re-furnish your replacement pre-fab with Wal-Mart furniture? Will they replace your BMW with a Chevette?