As the year winds down, between holiday gatherings and last-minute shopping, it’s easy to overlook practical household matters. However, before you ring in the New Year, taking an hour to review your home's protection is one of the smartest financial moves you can make. It’s about ensuring the peace of mind you think you have is the protection you actually need.

Here are three essential end-of-year tasks to ensure your home and possessions are properly insured.

Review Your Replacement Cost

The housing market and construction costs have changed dramatically in recent years. If you bought your policy five years ago, the coverage limit listed might no longer be enough to actually rebuild your home today if disaster struck. Inflation impacts building materials and labor significantly. Furthermore, did you renovate the kitchen, add a deck, or finish the basement this year? If you haven’t informed your insurer of these upgrades, that added value might not be covered. Schedule a quick call with your agent to ensure your dwelling coverage matches current rebuilding realities.

Update Your Home Inventory

The end of the year often means new, valuable items entering your home—electronics, jewelry, or high-end appliances brought in during Black Friday sales or as holiday gifts. Does your personal property coverage reflect the total value of these new items? Take photos of expensive new purchases and store receipts digitally in the cloud. A quick video walk-through of your home with your smartphone is an easy, effective way to document what you own.

Winterize for Prevention

Insurance is there for unexpected disasters, not neglected maintenance. Preventable issues, like burst pipes from freezing or roof damage from ice dams, can sometimes lead to complicated claims situations. Before deep winter sets in, clean your gutters, disconnect garden hoses, and ensure your heating system is serviced.

Don’t let these tasks slide into next year’s "to-do" list. A quick end-of-year insurance audit ensures you start the new year fully protected.

For more than 30 years, Beall Financial and Insurance Services, Inc., has been helping corporations and individuals protect their most important assets. The agency’s client base covers a spectrum of niche businesses, such as craft breweries, that require specialized insurance packages and knowledge. With offices in California and Indiana, Beall Financial and Insurance Services serves clients nationwide.