In our nonstop 21st century world of ever-advancing technology, a global economy, foreign wars and polarizing politics, it is sometimes difficult to breathe, let alone carefully plan for the future. The whirlwind that is our lives today also causes fear, anxiety and a feeling that we are not fully in control. So Americans are increasingly turning to new technology to manage their personal and professional lives.

From iPhones and video conferences to computer back-up services and home security systems, we are finding ways to manage many details of our rapidly changing day-to-day living and working. But what if disaster strikes and everything you own is gone in a flash? Billy and Janette Johnson know first-hand how devastating that can be. And that is what led to the launch of their new business, DOK-IT Online®, which is based in Spring Branch just outside of San Antonio.

A 2007 home burglary resulted in the loss of nearly everything they owned, right down to Janette Johnson’s wedding ring; the nightmare of trying to itemize their losses for the police and insurance company resulted in an epiphany.  “We ask all of our clients, ‘Are you prepared?’ Many don’t realize they need to inventory all belongings for insurance purposes,” says Billy Johnson, who is also an award-winning designer whose home-based business was nearly wiped out by the burglary. “After our devastating loss and the incredible sense of violation and stress it caused, we knew there had to be a better way to deal with this sort of situation. DOK-IT takes the guesswork out of the hands of insurance companies and law enforcement and puts control back in your hands.”

From a great loss came the genesis of a groundbreaking “virtual” business that helps people prepare for man-made and natural disasters. In the past year and a half, the Johnsons have signed on more than 1,200 customers across the country, ranging from individual homeowners to large businesses.  The DOK-IT concept is so new, there is a patent pending that will surely lead to even more explosive growth in the months and years to come.

DOK-IT Online is a Web-based program administered through a secure Web portal that makes it easy to inventory everything from personal belongings to business assets and to provide detailed reports to law enforcement and insurance companies in the event of a burglary or natural disaster. The thorough and lightning-fast reports are what make DOK-IT Online stand out from other inventory services. “Nobody in the United States is doing what we do,” Janette Johnson says. “Our proprietary, user-friendly system easily and quickly provides detailed spreadsheets with photos, serial numbers, makes and models, scanned receipts and warranties, appraisals and more.

“Time is of the essence in a burglary. If you are able to report your losses accurately to police within 24 hours, the chance of recovery is very high.” With all major losses, including natural disasters and fires, DOK-IT Online makes it possible to jump-start the insurance claim process so life can return to normal faster.

“People think they know what they own,” Billy Johnson asserts. “But in reality, we can’t possibly remember everything, especially in times of stress. Our service brings peace of mind that makes rebounding from a disastrous experience much easier and faster.” The Johnsons’ high-tech service is surprisingly affordable. For $39.95 a year, customers can inventory up to 250 items; for $49.95 a year, they can list up to 500; and for $59.95, the total is 1,500. For larger accounts, DOK-IT provides custom quotes. Many major businesses in the San Antonio area have signed on and endorsed the service, including Bradfield Properties, the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies and SWBC.

Even national talk-show radio host Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo is a customer. He not only touts it on his program, he has taped a video endorsement posted on DOK-IT’s homepage. Response to DOK-IT has been positive. The company already has opened offices in Santa Clarita, Calif., and Wichita, Kan., and plans to open another location in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., later this year. The Johnsons believe you can’t put a price tag on peace of mind. And in these fast-paced, uncertain times, that is truer than ever. 

Life Happens! Be Prepared.

 Have you experienced a burglary, fire or flood event and had to start a claims process for your home or office? Do you know someone who has?

Top five tips for getting better prepared: 

• Do you know how your personal property coverage amount is calculated? Having an organized, easy-to-modify list of your items and their value will prepare you in being accurately covered.

• Do you know why it is important to have a detailed list of stolen items to the law enforcement in the first 24 to 48 hours after a robbery? Pawnshops are required by law to report their inventory to a state database. When the law can have a detailed list in this timeframe, they can locate your items for higher chance of recovery, resulting in a lower claims report.

• Do you know there are two types of personal property coverage: guaranteed replacement and cash value? For example, what happens if a burglar steals your 6-year-old television set? With actual cash value coverage, you get only what you would expect to pay for a 6-year-old television set. With replacement cost coverage, the insurance company pays to replace your TV with a new set similar to the stolen one.

• Did you know most insurance companies will give you a 5 percent discount for being a customer for three to five years and as much as 10 percent after six years with them? Check your coverage annually. Online access to your inventory amount totals and your policy information is convenient.

 • Do you know the pros and cons of having only a video or spreadsheet of your contents? Pros: It will remind you what you had. Cons: The video, more than likely, won’t show the make, model and serial number. The spreadsheet is difficult to include photos and receipt copies. Neither of them starts the reporting electronically for you. The claims department will want make, model and receipt copies.

If you’ve ever been in an unforeseen situation that hasn’t gone so smoothly, you will agree with these tips. In fact, poor documentation, reporting that takes long periods of time and insufficient knowledge on our part can turn a claim into a living nightmare all too quickly.

For more information regarding DOK-IT Online, visit the company’s website at www.dok-itonline.com.