How to Create a Home Inventory List

home inventory listWe’re a few weeks into the New Year, and many people have New Year’s resolutions they want to fulfill. One big goal – or food for thought – we try to instill in our homeowner’s insurance clients is the importance of creating a home inventory list.

What is a Home Inventory List?

A home inventory list is a document, physical or digital, that records everything that you currently own in your home. This is important because the absence of a record makes it difficult for items to be paid out should they be stolen or damaged in a claim.

You can supplement this list with receipts, photographs and anything else that details the value of the major items in your household. Some clients even video their possessions and store it on the cloud so it can be accessed from anywhere keeping it safe from damage if there is a loss.

Creating My Home Inventory List

Going room to room is the best way to conduct your home inventory. Make a list of each item, including the small ones hiding in each drawer, closet, etc. Be descriptive. Don’t just reference your bed. Break that bed down into components – headboard, footboard, sheets, and pillowcases. Mention the dimensions, colors and material used to create each item. Use our handy checklist to inventory each item:

  • Manufacturer or Brand Name
  • Model Number or Serial Number
  • Where or how you got the item
  • Date of purchase
  • Age of the item
  • Proof of purchase that shows cost
  • Current value
  • Replacement cost
  • Photocopies of any appraisals

Ditching Physical, Going Digital

Papers, folders and finding a place to store everything can be a big hassle, which is why our agency offers a simpler solution in our mobile app. To find it, search “h&k insurance” on the Google Play or Apple store.