Taking A Home Inventory For Insurance

There are many ways to create a home inventory. It may seem hard at first to record information about everything you have in your house, but don't let that put you off.

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 less expensive ones.

Make Copies

Keep receipts when they are available and note the cost for the item, when you bought it and other information about the make and model. Whenever you make a significant purchase, remember to add the information to your inventory while the details are fresh in your mind.

Store a copy of your inventory in a safe place outside of your home—with a friend or in a safe deposit box. If your inventory is digital, store it on a disk, an email account, or any other secure place online. That way you'll be sure to have something to give your insurance representative if your home is damaged.

Take Photos

Along with the written information, consider adding photos of your possessions. You can always simply store your print photographs with a copy of your inventory or back up your digital copies online or to a disk.

Record Video

Walk through your house or apartment and video the contents. Remember to open drawers and closets. One advantage of video is that you can narrate what you are recording.

Home Inventory Checklists

You can refer to the following lists to help create your inventories. Write a brief description of the item including when and where it was bought, as well as its make or model number.

General Appliances 

Televisions
DVD player
Video camera
CD player
Stereo equipment
CDs, records
Radios
Sewing machine
Cameras
Answering machine
Phones
Washer/Dryer
Air conditioners
Heaters
Fans
Vacuum cleaner
Exercise equipment

General Household

Carpet/rugs
Window treatments
Bookcases
Chairs
Lamps/light fixtures
Clocks
Mirrors
Vases
Collections (coin, stamp, etc.)
Pictures/wall hangings

Living Room

Sofa
Chairs
Coffee table
End tables
Entertainment center/wall units
Piano/other musical instruments

Dining Room

Buffet
Table
Chairs
China cabinet
China
Silverware
Crystal
Table linens
Tea/coffee sets
Serving table/cart

Bedrooms

Beds
Bed Linens
Dressers/Chests
Dressing Tables
Night tables

Clothing

Shoes
Coats
Furs
Suits
Dresses
Sweaters
Sports Apparel
Shirts
Skirts
Jewelry

Kitchen

Table
Chairs
Refrigerator
Freezer
Stove
Microwave Oven
Oven
Dishwasher
Coffee makers/other small appliances
Pots/Pans
Dishes
Glasses
Kitchen Utensils

Bathrooms

Hair dryer/other electrical appliances
Scale
Shower Curtains
Towels

Home Office, Study, Den

Desk
Chairs
Sofa
Computer
Printer
Scanner
Fax Machine
Books
Tables
Business Supplies

Garage, Basement, Attic, Shed

Furniture
Luggage/Trunks
Sports Equipment
Toys/Outdoor Games
Bicycles
Small Boats
Trailers
Lawn Mower
Snow Blower
Shovels
Sprinkler/Hoses
Wheelbarrel/Other Garden Tools and Supplies
Ladders
Work Bench
Carpentry Tools/Supplies
Holiday Decorations

Porch, Patio

Garden Chairs
Garden Tables
Umbrellas
Outdoor Cooking Equipment
Planters
Jacuzzi