Home break-ins,
fire, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes,
earthquakes. Are you prepared? Do you have a
detailed record of your home assets?
Every homeowner should do a complete home
inventory once a year. A home inventory lists
all of the items contained in your house and
their net worth. It's something you need to do
in order to protect your belongings. It will
also help in choosing the right amount of
coverage.
We've made a checklist to inventory your
personal belongings. You can download it for
free here.
How to Make a Home Inventory?
Things you'll need to start making your home
inventory
Pen and paper
(you can download our home inventory guide
and print it)
Optional: a
(video) camera (digital if possible)
Making the Home Inventory
Go through all the
rooms in your house or apartment. Describe the
contents of each room. Make pictures of the
contents.
Attach copies of sales receipt or appraisals for
expensive items. Include specific information on
household object such as model number, brand
name, etc.
List everything: jewelry, silverware, china,
crystal, antiques, paintings, artwork,
furniture, TVs, stereo equipment, computers,
electronic appliances, clothing, collectibles,
curtains, CDs, DVDs, pots and pans, linens,
tools, lamps, children’s toys, sports equipment,
air conditioning, exercise equipment bicycles,
etc.
Don't forget to list items stored in your attic,
basement, garage, or in your garden.
Store your inventory, insurance papers and
important documents in a safe place.
Make copies of all of your important papers
(Social Security cards, Birth certificates,
Marriage certificates, Deeds, Titles to vehicles
etc) and store them in different places (also
online). Keep originals in a safe deposit box.
Ask your insurance agent if they can keep a copy
of your home inventory with your other records
in their files.
Finally, add up all of your estimated values and
find out how much it will cost to replace
everything. Compare this figure with your home
insurance limit.
