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
