In the event of a hurricane or other disaster, would you be able to recall all your possessions? If you have a current home inventory will help you get your insurance claim settled faster, verify losses for your income tax return and help you purchase the correct amount of insurance.
Start your home inventory now.
Starting a home inventory is relatively simple for setting up a household. If you’ve been living in the same place for years, the task of creating a list can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
- List recent purchases – An excellent way to start is with recent acquisitions, it gives you a good starting place, and the information will be easy to find. Then go back and add your older items.
- Include the basic information – describe each item you record, and note where you bought it, the make and model, what you paid, and any other detail that may help if you need to make a claim.
- Count clothing by general category – Make a note of any valuable items.
- Record all serial numbers – These can be found on the back or bottom of major appliances and electronic equipment.
- Check coverage on big-ticket items – Jewelry, art, and collectibles may have increased in value and may need special coverage. While making your home inventory list, check with your agent to ensure you have adequate insurance for these items before a loss.
- Don’t forget off-site items – Your belongings in a self-storage facility are covered by your homeowner’s insurance. Make sure you include them in your inventory.
- Keep proof of value – Store sales receipts, purchase contracts, and appraisals (jewelry) with your list.
- Don’t get overwhelmed – Once you’ve started your inventory, keep going even if you can’t get it all done immediately. It’s better to have an incomplete list than no inventory at all.
Use technology to make your home inventory.
Technology can make creating a home inventory much more manageable.
Take pictures – Create a photo record of your belongings. Capture essential individual items and entire rooms, closets, or drawers. Label your photos with what’s pictured, where you bought it, the make or model—whatever information might be necessary to replace or get reimbursed for the item. Use your smartphone or digital camera—some give you the capability to put in the item’s description when saving the photo.
- Record it– Walk through your home, videotaping and describing the contents. For example, you might describe the contents of a kitchen cabinet: “Vitamix Blender and all attachments, Cuisinart Stand Mixer with all attachments, purchased in 2021.”
- Use an app – Many mobile app options can help you create and store a room-by-room record of your belongings.
Keep your home inventory up to date.
Your home inventory is only helpful if it’s accurate, and you can access it to provide information to your insurance company in case of a fire, hurricane, or another disaster. Regardless of how you create your inventory, keep it current and safe.
- Add significant new purchases to your list – Make it a habit to add the item information and receipts to your inventory while the details are fresh in your mind.
- Store a copy of your paper inventory outside the home – Keep it—along with applicable receipts and appraisals—in a safe deposit box or at a friend’s or relative’s home. An easy way to make digital backup copies of your paper list is to take pictures of it on your smartphone.
- Backup digital files – Keep a copy on an external drive or online storage accounts such as iCloud or One Drive
Here is the list of the best home inventory apps available.
About Coastal Claims:
Coastal Claims Inc. works for the client and offers residential and commercial services in multiple states. We serve as licensed property loss experts; we can help you get the best results from your claim. Our professional public adjusters will be by your side through every step of the claims process. This blog is not intended to be professional advice. Contact Coastal Claims for more information on our services. 1-844-2File-Now.