Why Both Homeowners & Renters Need a Home Inventory

(INSWEB Oct. 2007)

Can you accurately list from memory everything in your house? How many necklaces and rings do you have, DVDs in your movie library, and exactly what type of digital camera you own? Most people struggle to answer such questions, let alone in a crisis situation.. This is why the need for creating a home inventory is so important!

A Basic Home Inventory:
If you haven't created a home inventory, thinking of starting one can seem like a monumental task, especially if you’ve been living in your home for a long time. While the best time to start your list is when you’re just starting out in your first home or apartment, or have just moved to a new home, it can still be an achievable task in that home you’ve lived in for several years. Just go through your house or apartment one room at a time.

Try to get serial numbers for the big ticket items, and write down when, where, and for what price you purchased each item. Make sure you remember to go into closets, cupboards, and storage areas and write down the items in these as well. While some items you own have depreciated in replacement price (televisions, electronics, furniture, etc.), some items may have increased in value (such as art, jewelry, and collectibles). You may need to insure these items separately; check with your insurance agent and find out if your current policy adequately covers these valuables.

Take Pictures or a Video of Your Belongings:
It is a good idea to take pictures or make a video of the items in your home. If you take pictures, write the details of the items on the pack of the picture. If you make a video, narrate as you walk from room to room (what items are in the room, when and where you bought them and for how much). Photographing or videotaping your home’s inventory can be especially helpful if items are hard to describe on paper, or for items you do not have receipts for.

Store Your List in a Safe Spot:
Make sure you store your list, pictures, and/or DVD or video tape in a safe spot. While it’s a good idea to have a copy at home, make sure you have at least one additional copy outside your home. If you only have one copy inside your home (or on your home computer) and your home burns down, that list won’t do you any good. If your inventory is on your computer, make a disk or CD and store it elsewhere, and/or send your list to yourself at work or to your web-based email account so you can access it in places other than your home.

Keep Those Receipts:
Many of us are not great at keeping our receipts for the purchases we make. Now that you’ve read this article, make sure you keep receipts from now on, especially for those big ticket items. These receipts will help you settle your homeowners or renters insurance claim as quickly as possible. And remember; keep receipts (or copies of them) in a place besides your home, along with a copy of your home inventory.