Would you be able to remember all the possessions you’ve accumulated over the years if they were destroyed by a fire? Having an up-to-date home inventory will help you get your insurance claim settled faster, verify losses for your income tax return and help you purchase the correct amount of insurance.
Start by making a list of your possessions, describing each item and noting where you bought it and its make and model. Clip to your list any sales receipts, purchase contracts and appraisals you have. For clothing, count the items you own by category–pants, coats, shoes, for example–making notes about those that are especially valuable. For major appliance and electronic equipment, record their serial numbers (usually found on the back or bottom).
Free Home Inventory Software
This software will help you create a room-by-room inventory of your personal possessions. Having an up-to-date home inventory will help you:
- Purchase enough insurance to replace the things you own.
- Get your insurance claims settled faster.
- Substantiate losses for your income tax return.
You can always simply make a list in a notebook and save receipts and photos in a file. This software, however, should make this task fun and simple. More importantly, with the click of your mouse, you can update this list as you buy or eliminate personal possessions.
Don’t be put off!
If you are just setting up a household, starting a home inventory list can be relatively simple. If you’ve been living in the same house for many years, however, the task of creating a list can be daunting. Still, it’s better to have an incomplete home inventory than nothing at all. Start with recent purchases and then try to remember what you can about older possessions.
Big ticket items
Valuable items like jewelry, art work and collectibles may have increased in value since you received them. Check with your agent to make sure that you have adequate insurance for these items. They may need to be insured separately.
Take a picture
Besides the list, you can take pictures of rooms and important individual items. For each of the photos, note what is shown and where you bought it or the make. Don’t forget things that are in closets or drawers.
Videotape it
Walk through your house or apartment videotaping and describing the contents. Or do the same thing using a tape recorder.
Use a personal computer
Use your PC to make your home inventory list. Personal finance software packages often include a homeowners room-by-room inventory program.
Storing the list, photos and tapes
Regardless of how you do it (written list, computer file, photos, videotape or audio tape), keep your home inventory along with receipts in your safe deposit box or at a friend’s or relative’s home. That way you’ll be sure to have something to give your insurance representative if your home is damaged. When you make a significant purchase, add the information to your home inventory while the details are fresh in your mind.