How do you convince your insurance company, or an unfriendly insurance assessor that your claim is genuine and that you actually owned the items you claim were stolen or burnt to a cinder?

"Take pictures of everything you insure, including TVs, music systems, stoves, fridges, beds, DVD collections, the house and roof, garden walls, car(s), in fact everything," advises Bay Union Insurance Broker Dave Pearce. Get the picture? And if it is a valuable camera, even take a picture of youself taking a picture of your camera in the mirror!

• Lists are good

• Pictures are better

• Lists supported by pictures are best.

El cheep or cell phone OK

There is no need to use an expensive camera. Even an 'el cheepo' will do. Your cell phone may be sufficient. No need for artistic portraits. All you need are reasonable pictures to back your insurance claims.

If you have not got a camera, on a cell phone with a camera, we suggest you buy one. It may prove to be one of the best small investments you

will ever make.

In case of accident or flood

Talking of which (pictoral evidence), if you are involved in an accident, or if your house is flooded, take pictures, lots of them. Show the damage as it is, instead of trying to reconstruct the damage or the mess days or weeks later.