Taking a Home Inventory For Insurance

Did you know that most homeowners insurance policies cover not just the physical structure of your house, but your personal possessions inside your home too? Having the right home insurance coverage can provide a sense of protection, knowing that your family, your home, and your things are protected, even if disaster strikes.

If you were to experience a house fire, storm damage, or other covered event, your insurance can help pay for repairs and to replace damaged or lost items in your home. But in order to receive proper payment, you need to be able to identify the items damaged and their value. That’s why Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee recommends keeping a thorough, up-to-date home inventory. With a home inventory, you’ll always have something to provide your insurance agent or claims representative if you need to file a claim.

Tips for Making a Home Inventory for Insurance

There are many ways to create a home inventory. While it might seem daunting at first to record information about everything you have in your house, don’t let that put you off – you’ll be glad to have it if you ever truly need it. Here are our top tips for a home inventory:

Get Organized

First, decide on a way to make an inventory that works for you. You can do it room by room, category by category (furniture, electronics, etc.), from newest items to oldest, or from most expensive purchases to least expensive ones. See our checklist below for a good starting point on a room-by-room inventory.

Make Copies

If you still have receipts for your items, note the cost and when you bought it, as well as other information like the make and model. Don’t have the receipt anymore? Look up the item online or search your bank statements for record of the purchase. Whenever you make a significant purchase, remember to add the information to your inventory while the details are still fresh in your mind.

Store It Safely

Store a copy of your inventory in a safe place, somewhere where even if your home is damaged, you know your inventory is intact. If you prefer a physical copy, keep it at a friend’s house or in a safe deposit box. If your inventory is digital, store it somewhere securely online, such as your email or a cloud-based file-hosting service.

Take Photos

Along with written information, consider adding photos of your possessions. Either print the photos and store them with your physical inventory or upload digital copies to the same place as the rest of your inventory.

Record Video

Walk through your home and take video of the contents. Remember to open drawers and closets as you go. One advantage of video is that you can narrate what you are doing.

Home Inventory Checklist

Need some help getting started on your home inventory for insurance? Use this checklist to complete a room-by-room inventory. Make sure you write a brief description of each item, including when and where it was purchased, as well as the make and model, if relevant.

• Living Room

  • TV, speakers, entertainment system

  • Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs, rugs)

  • Decorations, artwork, lamps

• Kitchen and Dining Room

  • Major appliances (fridge, oven, dishwasher)

  • Small appliances (microwave, coffee maker, blender)

  • Dishes, silverware, cookware

  • Furniture (table, chairs)

• Bedrooms

  • Beds, mattresses, dressers, nightstands

  • Electronics (TV, computers, gaming consoles)

  • Clothing, shoes, accessories

  • Jewelry and valuables

• Bathrooms

  • Toiletries and beauty items

  • Towels, rugs, shower curtains

  • Medical supplies and prescriptions

• Home Office

  • Computers, printers, scanners

  • Office furniture (desk, chair, bookshelves)

  • Important documents (passports, certificates)

• Garage and Storage Areas

  • Tools, lawn equipment, bicycles

  • Sporting goods, camping gear

  • Holiday decorations, spare furniture

• Basement or Attic

  • Stored items (seasonal clothing, luggage)

  • Family heirlooms

Once you’ve done the heavy lifting of creating your home inventory for the first time, it should be much easier to keep updated going forward. While it’s good to add new items to your list as you purchase them, aim for updating your home inventory at least once annually.

Now that you have your home inventory, you can rest more easily, knowing that your and your family’s items are accounted for should something ever happen to your home. Something else you should do once a year for greater peace of mind? Check your current home insurance policy to make sure that you have the coverage you need for your home and your personal possessions. Connect with your local Farm Bureau Insurance agent today to review your policy.