Across the US, homeowners are watching their insurance premiums skyrocket. According to an analysis of insurance industry reports, average premiums have risen over 20% in the last year alone, with no signs of slowing. And when disaster strikes — from hurricanes and wildfires to floods and theft — insurance payouts can take three to six months or longer to be fully processed and received.
Even when claims are approved, homeowners are often left grappling with another harsh truth: some things can be replaced, but many cannot. And often the things that cannot be replaced are the ones that we value most. They may not be the ones that hold the most financial value, but they certainly tend to hold a lof of what we call “heart value.”
What’s a Needlepoint Pillow Worth?
Let’s say your insurance company writes you a check for the fair market value of your damaged or stolen items. Refrigerator? Check, that’s easy. Sofa and loveseat, double check.
But what’s the monetary value of Nana’s handmade needlepoint cushions that sat in her living room for decades? Or the vintage charm bracelet your mom wore every holiday? How about your child’s first fingerpainting, lovingly framed and hung in the hallway?
The answer: There is no replacement cost high enough to recover the meaning of these items. And that’s why we Artifct.
When Disaster Strikes, an Artifct Is Your Memory Vault
Natural disasters don't give us time to prepare. But a digital record of your most sentimental belongings means you can prove ownership, document financial value (when possible), and most importantly — preserve the memories even if the object is lost.
While insurance companies assess damage and estimate costs, your family won’t be left trying to remember what that cherished object looked like or where it came from. You’ll already have a rich, secure record, and a legacy to pass on.
This October, we challenge you to Artifct the irreplaceable. Not everything in your home, just the things that would break your heart to lose. Start with:
- A family quilt with generations of history sewn into its fabric
- The wedding china no one dares eat off of, but everyone remembers
- Dad’s old fishing rod, full of childhood memories
- A handwritten letter tucked in a book from someone long gone
At the end of the day, no insurance policy (or AI algorithm for that matter) knows what matters most or what items have the most heart value to you and your family.
Your Family’s History Is Worth Saving
As you celebrate Family History Month this October, don’t stop at genealogy charts and old photographs. Think about the physical items that tell your family’s story. Think about the why behind them. And give yourself (and future generations) the gift of preserving not only the item, but the history, stories, and memories that go along with it.
Because in the end, your history is more than names and dates. It’s the objects you touch, the stories you tell, and the people you love.
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Looking for additional tips to help you be prepared for all of life's what ifs? You might also enjoy:
Insurance & The Art of Artifcts
How to Choose the Right Home Inventory App for You
How a Simple Act Saved One Man's Most Valued Memory of His Dad
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