Frequently Asked Questions

Question:   Why should I pay you to take pictures when I can do it myself?

Answer:   While you can do it yourself, have you done it yet?...If not, Why not?  If you have, where do you have the photos and negatives stored?  Are they in a safe and secure location?...Do you have a duplicate set stored off-site as a back-up "just in case"?  Insurance Images takes care of the work and storage medium for you.  We use the latest digital camera(s) with wide angle and zoom lenses allowing us to capture a bigger and better picture than standard cameras.  We then take the images back to our facilities where we go through them, enhance them if needed (for better image quality), make a CD for the owner and mail it directly to them for their records.  Our base price includes a one year, off-site storage of a back-up CD.

Another advantage of utilizing our services is that we are a separate, disinterested, 3rd party.

Question:   Why is it important to have off-site storage?

Answer:   While we provide you with your own personalized CD with digital images, Insurance Images also retains a 2nd copy for back-up, in an off-site location if the customer so desires.  This is an extra precaution we take to help safeguard you in the event you lose your copy or if it is destroyed.

Question:   Do you inventory personal belongings?

Answer:   YES. Insurance Images provides a "condition and inventory" CD photo album.  While the photo records should give enough evidence of what you own, we do however, strongly recommend that you take the time to write out a list of items of most value like electronic equipment, jewelry, antiques and other “high priced, high ticket” items.  We can also perform this service, that of itemizing and recording your belongings in written format at an additional cost...Call us for more information.

Answer:   You may elect to have multiple CD's for your personal files.  If so, they can be provided at an additional cost of $9.95 per CD when requested with your original order.  If you wish to have additional CD's at a later date the charge will be $9.50 per CD plus $5.00 shipping and handling.  If you choose to NOT have Insurance Images retain a copy of your CD it should be understood that Insurance Images will have no record of your information for back-up purposes.  When a job is complete, Insurance Images clears all information from Camera and Computer memory and retains no information on your account in our system.

Question:   If I lose my original CD, can I get another copy and what is the cost?

Answer:   Yes, you can get another copy provided that you request it within 12 months of our initial visit provided the customer chooses our off-site storage (no additional cost for the first year) or choose to subscribe to our annual, off-site storage services. In either case, the cost of a duplicate CD is $9.95 plus $5.00 shipping and handling charge.

Question:   What happens to the off-site Back-Up CD once the year is up?

Answer:   We offer annual subscriptions for off-site storage should you desire Insurance Images  to keep the 2nd, back-up CD.  The annual subscription fee for this service for residential properties is $19.99 (that's about a nickel a day).  The annual subscription fee for non-residential or commercial properties, businesses, etc. is $34.99.  Renewal notices are sent out 30 days prior to expiration dates. It’s totally up to you if you want to continue the off-site storage.  If you elect not to renew your subscription we will send you the 2nd back-up CD, if requested, for a nominal $5.00 shipping and handling charge.  If you don’t want the back-up CD and don’t contact us within 30 days after the first year anniversary we will shred and dispose of it.  Thereafter we will no longer have any of your records.  We offer the annual subscriptions as an added protection to you, our customer, it is not required.

Question:   I’m a little uncomfortable with a stranger taking pictures of my valuables such as jewelry, and other items…Should I have these items photographed?

Answer:   That’s entirely the customers' perogative.  We will take photos of any items the customer desires.  We also provide our customers a Certificate of Confidentiality, meaning that we will not give out any confidential information to ANY outside party without the customers permission (or as required / ordered by law or law inforcement agency).  Please keep in mind that the inspector is a liscensed real estate appraiser with over 20 years experience of property inspections which require similar confidential requirement(s).

Question:   What happens if we need more than 50 images?

Answer:   Our basic service provides up to 50 photographs which should accommodate most homeowners and small businesses. If you need more photographs, the charge is $1.00 for each additional image.

Question:   How long does the appointment take?

Answer:   For residential work, we can usually take all the photos of the typical house and belongings (up to 50) within a two hour PROVIDED the homeowner is prepared for us.  Our basic charge covers up to one hour on-site visit and up to 50 digital images. If more time is needed because the owner needs time to find, set-up, think of more items, stage a room, etc. we charge an hourly rate of $25 (or portion thereof) in addition to our basic fee.  This is why there is an additional charge if more than 50 photos...This coveres the extra time required for taking and reviewing the additional images.  For non-residential work, that will vary depending on the place and type of business, their belongings, the overall complexity of the job, etc. For example, a medical facility will most likely take longer than an accountants office, etc.

Question:   How long before I get my CD?

Answer:   We are usually able to finish editing and copying the CD within 5-7 business days from the date of our visit for residential properties and within 10 business days for non-residential properties.  Some projects may take a little longer as each property, set of belongings, etc. are unique to the customer.  We can give you a better turn-time estimate at the time we visit the property.

Question:   Do I need to clean my property first?

Answer:   Since this is a photographic, recording process, we recommend that you make every effort to have the premises in good looking condition. 

Question:   How long are the photos good for?

Answer:   We recommend that you have us update your records every 3-5 years, or sooner especially if you’ve done any substantial improvements to the house such as a new kitchen, bath, extension, etc. or have obtained more “items of value”  We offer a 25% discount for re-takes within 3 years.

Question:   Can my account be accessed on-line?

Answer:   Due to our concerns with internet security and the possibility of hackers obtaining information on-line, we do not provide an on-line service.  This is to protect your confidential information.  In addition, providing adequate computer resources for such a service would be cost prohibitive and would require signifivantly higher prices to cover the costs.  As mentioned elsewhere, no information regarding your project is stored anywhere in our system.  It is all on the CD you receive and the CD retained at Insurance Images if you elect to have that service.  When your information is complete and the CD's are prepared, they will be assigned a unique code available only to you and Insurance Images to gain access to the information contained on your CD's.  In utilizing this coding system along with strict password security at Insurance Images, you can be assured that your information is for your eyes only. 

Question:   Do you provide your service to businesses and commercial properties?

Answer:   Yes...We cover most property types including commercial, businesses, medical, and other professional facilities, churches, stores, restaurants, etc. This includes leased facilities as well. Most  types of non-residential properties  take longer  than residential properties and some will cost more than our base price.  For facilities over 5,000 sq ft we can perform a "pre-inspection" in order to establish a price quote and estimated time frame.  Kindly call for an appointment or additional information.

Feel free to contact us if you have any other concerns or questions

    518 - 824 - 5829    or   LeadingTechnologies@adelphia.net