I am documenting everything, photographing everything and keeping that information separate from the office/studio. I'll be much better prepared next time - assuming I can still afford insurance after this.
All my preparation had been geared toward equipment failure. Software and projects were diligently backed up regularly, usually several times a day. I was more concerned about hard drive failure than theft. Priorities have changed.
I'm planning on covering the whole house and yard with security cameras. A month ago, that would have been an unjustifiable expense. It's still money I can't spare, but it has to be done. I've even taken a step I never thought I would: I have invited my daughter and her two kids to move in with me. They'll pay rent and utilities so I can better afford things like cameras and alarms. Did I want to sacrifice my peace and quiet? Hell, no. Those burglars have no idea the extent to which they've changed my life.
Happy thoughts, happy thoughts...I'll pick up my keyboard amplifiers today. That will bring total expenditures to $5,500 so far, leaving just $1,300 from the settlement and still no computer, monitors, effects, cables or microphones. All those things will be paid for out of pocket. Then I'll repeat the claims process in hopes the insurance will make up the difference. By the time I'm fully re-equipped I'll be out a few grand, not counting security expenses. So my 2003 vehicle will have to keep running for awhile longer, as well as my refrigerator that constantly blinks an over-temp warning.
Happy thoughts...first gig with the new keyboard this Friday! I'll earn a whole 50 dollars for it, enough to cover two instrument cables. But it's not about the money, as you all know. As the old joke goes, a musician is defined as somebody who loads $5,000 worth of equipment into a $500 car to go to a $50 gig. We do it to nourish the soul, not to make money.