Home Insurance Forum

Mar. 15, 2007

My home was recently destroyed by a fire. My insurance company is requiring a detailed, itemized list of items that were in the home. Is there anything on a Web site that would give a general list of items that would be in a home to jog my memory about items that I might have forgotten about?

Darlene, South Carolina

Dear Darlene,

We have an online document that might help you come up with a list of your possessions. You'll find it at Making a home-inventory list.

Insurance companies also like to see receipts and photos or a videotape of possessions, if possible. While it's unlikely that any of those things made it through the fire, friends or relatives may have photos or videotapes of events at your house, which would show your possessions. Records of purchases may be available from your credit card company. Finally, if you have ever had a break-in or attempted burglary, the local police department may have an inventory of your possessions, or may be able to provide you with a sample inventory list.

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