In our apartment, we have a large closet under our staircase; I’m sure it’s approximately the same square footage that a certain wizard lived in. However, it has become a huge catch-all space for us over the last five years to the point where the door sometimes won’t latch properly.

One night, while the closet was at max capacity, I was scrolling social media. Some of you get targeted social media ads for new clothing or a trendy experience in your city, but as the “insurance guy” here at Hodinkee, I get targeted ads for safes. Yes, safes.  Which got me thinking – should I buy one? Certainly, I’ve made less practical purchases through Instagram (see my credit card statement as proof) but a safe would be the perfect catalyst for organizing that closet, after all, that’s where it would sit.

I did what I do best: researched safes with UL security and fire rating until I found the right one then clicked “Buy Now.”  In a few days, a hefty box arrived at my door. The safe sat in my living room for a few days before I built up the courage to gut that closet. The actual organization of the closet didn’t take very long, from start to finish about three hours.

In the process though, I kept finding paperwork and boxes for watches I bought, receipts and certificates for some artwork I had, along with other important documents like our apartment lease and even our marriage certificate (how’d that get in there?). I realized that cleaning out this closet was less about tackling a mess, and more about organization and peace of mind.

I bought a nice felt tray to go in the safe for my watches and a folio for all my important documents (including the marriage certificate; can’t lose that). I now feel incredibly prepared because everything valuable is in one, central and secure spot. It is actually a bit liberating.

Now, I mentioned before that I’m the insurance guy which means I now am obligated to talk about Hodinkee Insurance. For some of you, having a home safe can reduce your premium. That depends on the specifications of your safe and your total coverage limit. If you’re curious if your safe qualifies, check out this article we wrote a while back or reach out to us at insurance@hodinkee.com for recommended safe models with UL security and fire ratings. While I didn’t buy my safe to save on my premium, I bought it because it’s a smart and responsible thing to do if you have valuables in your home. And if I upgrade my watch collection in the future, I’ll upgrade my safe as well!

Of course, the best way to protect your watches is with a policy from Hodinkee Insurance, underwritten by Chubb. I encourage you to get a quote with us; it could be your first foray into Spring cleaning!