Make a home inventory for insurance claims
A home inventory is the difference between a fast claim and a fight. The best time to make one is now, when every room is intact and the lights are on.
Pick a method you will actually finish
A partial inventory stored in the cloud beats a perfect one that never gets done. Choose the approach that matches your patience and your household size.
- Video walkthrough: slow, narrated video of every room and closet, stored in cloud backup
- Photo method: one photo per room plus close-ups of serial numbers and receipts
- Spreadsheet or inventory app: best for high-value items and detailed replacement costs
Start with the big-ticket items
These drive the claim amount and are the easiest to forget without proof.
- Furniture, appliances, electronics, and jewelry
- Sports equipment, tools, and musical instruments
- Art, collectibles, and anything with a rider or separate policy
- For each: brand, model, serial number, purchase date, and approximate replacement cost
Document the whole room, not just the valuable things
Insurance adjusters need to see that the ordinary contents existed too: dishes, linens, clothing, pantry items, and books.
- Open drawers and cabinets while filming or photographing
- Capture the inside of closets, the garage, and storage areas
- Photograph receipts for major purchases and store them with the inventory
Store it where the disaster cannot reach it
A home inventory that burns with the house is not an inventory.
- Upload videos and photos to a cloud service with automatic sync
- Email a copy to a trusted person outside the household
- Keep a physical USB in a safe deposit box or with a relative
- Update it after any major purchase or renovation
Common questions
What is a home inventory for insurance?
It is a record of your personal property, with photos, descriptions, and values, used to prove what you owned when filing a claim after a loss.
How often should I update my home inventory?
At least once a year, and immediately after buying or replacing anything expensive, renovating, or receiving an inheritance or gift of value.
Does renters insurance need a home inventory?
Yes. Renters claims for contents work the same way as homeowners claims, and a list with photos makes the process much faster.
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