How to create a home inventory list

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You should always have a home inventory list in case of a disaster. Here’s how to create one.

Enduring a disaster and its aftermath can be difficult enough without trying to remember the details of every single item in your house. With the help of a home inventory checklist, you can account for your possessions and how much you need to be reimbursed by your homeowners insurance policy. This guide will explain why an itemized list for insurance claims can be a lifesaver — and how to make one.

Why do you need a home inventory list?

Home insurance aims to cover your financial losses after a disaster. Homeowners insurance coverage breaks down into two main categories: the property structure and the contents of your personal property. The home inventory list, also known as a personal property inventory list, focuses on the contents, which, as you can imagine, can be extensive.

If you suffer a loss such as a fire or a burglary, you need to file a home insurance claim. Your insurance company will ask you for the total value of your lost contents and a list of the items you need replaced or reimbursed. The more detailed the contents list for insurance claim, the less likely you’ll forget to include something crucial — and the faster your claim will process.

How to create an inventory list

Household inventory can be time-consuming, but it’s worth the trouble. You’ll need to account for furniture, decor, clothes, kitchen items, artwork, tools, sporting goods and more. The more detailed the list is, the less hassle if you need to make a claim. You’ll need:

A camera
Notebook or paper and pen
A small accordion file or folder

When creating the list, go room by room to ensure you don’t miss any important items. As you list the household inventory, try to include the original price or approximate value of the listed items and attach any receipts, along with the serial numbers for major electronics and appliances. If you have multiple receipts, you can organize them in the file folder for safekeeping.

You can also create a home inventory spreadsheet that’s easier to sort and share on a laptop or computer.

Take photos or videos of the items and receipts as you go. The photographs or videos of your possessions are proof if you file a home insurance claim.

Don’t forget to:

Make photocopies or upload digital versions of important documents such as birth certificates, credit card numbers, bank account numbers and house deeds.
Include basement or attic items such as holiday decorations
Inventory outdoor goods such as patio furniture, sheds and more
Note items of higher value, such as artwork, collectibles, diamond jewelry and watches, which may need a certified appraisal and special additional coverage due to their higher value.
Account for home upgrades outside of the standard such as special marble countertops, luxury window treatments or a free-standing soaking tub.

When done, save multiple copies of the inventory list, images and additional items and receipts to a cloud-based service, a thumb drive that can be stored outside of your home, entrusted to friends or family or in a safe-deposit box. After all, if your home is destroyed, your inventory list will be gone, too.

Itemized list for insurance claim: expert tips

While a home inventory list for insurance is pretty straightforward to produce, it’s helpful to follow the advice of experts to ensure you’re prepared in case of the unexpected. Vanessa Coffeen Mcevoy, a former Farmers Insurance agent and current consultant has some tips to remember when creating a household inventory list. Some things to keep in mind include:

Cash value vs. replacement value

There are two types of home insurance coverage for your property: cash value vs. replacement value. The difference can be substantial in the case of a claim.

Premiums for cash value are typically cheaper. In case of a claim, cash value coverage works by paying the depreciated cost of your lost or damaged items. This means the appraiser will value the item based on age and condition. For example, you may only receive $300 for a five-year-old television in average condition that you originally paid $1200 for brand new. You’ll need to find a second-hand model for a similar price point, or purchase a new one, paying the difference in price out of pocket.

Replacement value coverage is higher in price but may be less of a hassle in case of a significant home insurance claim. The coverage will reimburse you for a new model. This means that the coverage will reimburse the price of a new and comparable model of the item, such as a TV, even if the covered television is older or no longer available.

When deciding on which one to choose, think about how much it’s worth to go into a store and purchase a new version of the items you lost, compared to having to find second-hand versions of the goods or paying for the difference out-of-pocket.

Special items

Home insurance typically sets limits on your personal property categories.

“Check your policy’s coverage limits. For example, you may find that jewelry is capped at $1,000 to $2,000 total,” Coffeen Mcevoy says.

As you can imagine, a single piece of jewelry could use up your policy’s limit for jewelry. If you have electronics, guns, collectibles or other item categories with higher values, you may need to purchase additional coverage, known as scheduled personal property coverage, which is an endorsement or floater.

“One customer had a large number of designer jeans, which added up to thousands of dollars. We insured the denim collection for its full value for just a few extra dollars per month. Scheduled personal property coverage could also work for designer handbags, cosmetics or other higher-value collections of items,” Coffeen Mcevoy says.

Be sure that you have receipts for the higher-value items. If they’re collectibles, art or expensive jewelry, the value may be more difficult to define. Your insurance carrier may require you to have the goods professionally appraised. Be sure to save a copy of the appraisal certification in case of a claim.

Share the contents list for insurance claim

If you’re working with a trusted insurance agent, you may want to share a copy of the home insurance list, receipts and photographs with your agent to keep on file.

“In case of a claim, your agent could work with the appraiser by providing the checklist and following up on your personal property claim,” Coffeen Mcevoy says.

Keep the household inventory list updated

Be sure to do an annual review of your home’s contents to update your home inventory checklist and add any new purchases, as well as remove items that have been donated or discarded. If some of your items have significantly increased in value, you may want to have them reappraised and notify your insurance company.
Also, keep a running tally of your personal property to make sure your coverage value is enough to cover a total loss. You may find you’re over or underinsured, and need to reduce (or increase) the amount of coverage based on the total value of your personal property inventory list. Knowing how much home insurance you need could save you money in the long run when you pay for the right amount of coverage.

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Household inventory list template

Refer the following home inventory checklist created by Insure.com to help you to get started.

Article and date of purchase	Price
Living room
Carpet/rugs
Curtains/drapes
Sofas
Ottomans
Chairs
Coffee tables
End tables and contents
Television/VCR
Camcorder
Videotapes
Video games
Radio/stereo/DVD
Compact discs/records/tapes
Bookcases
Books
Musical instruments
Planters/plants
Mirrors
Collectibles/knickknacks
Other
Dining room
Curtains/drapes
Carpet/rugs
Buffet
Tables
Chairs
China cabinet
China
Silverware
Crystal
Glassware
Clocks
Lamps/fixtures
Serving table/cart
Table linens
Wall hangings
Other
Bathrooms
Clothes hamper
Curtains
Wall hangings
Dressing table
Toilet articles
Electrical appliances
Scale
Shower curtains
Linens
Rugs
Other
Kitchen
Tables
Chairs
Linens
Curtains
Cabinets
Lighting fixtures
Bowls
Pots/pans
Utensils
Cutlery
Dishes
Refrigerator
Stove
Dishwasher
Disposal unit
Freezer
Washer
Dryer
Small appliances
Clocks
Radios
Step stool
Television
Microwave
Food/supplies
Wall hangings
Other
Bedrooms
Bookcases
Books
Chairs
Carpet/rugs
Curtains/drapes
Bed frames
Linens
Mattresses
Cedar chest
Desk and contents
Dressers and contents
Dressing table
Night tables
Lamps
Mirrors
Clocks
Radios
Sewing machine
Television/VCR/DVD
Toilet articles
Computer equipment
Games
Toys
Collectibles/knickknacks
Clothing
Shoes
Wall hangings
Other
Attic/Basement/Garage
Furniture
Luggage/trunks
Exercise/sports equipment
Toys
Outdoor games
Ornamental lawn items
Lawn mower
Shovels
Spreader
Sprinklers/hoses
Wheelbarrow
Snow blower
Ladder/step stools
Workbench
Carpentry tools/supplies
Canned goods/supplies
Pet supplies
Garden tools/supplies
Other
Patio/Porch
Chairs
Floor covering
Outdoor cooking equipment
Plants/planters
Tables
Umbrella
Other

Source of list: Independent Insurance Agents of America

Frequently asked questions

What is a home inventory?

A home inventory is an organized list of all the items and possessions in your home. This list includes the item’s description, quantity, serial/model number, photos and price. It can be used to provide proof of ownership and help with insurance claims if the items are stolen or damaged.

What should I include in my home inventory?

When making your home inventory list, include as much as possible, such as furniture, art, jewelry, electronics, sports equipment and other collectibles that are valuable. Additionally, when writing out the list, include a description of the item, make and model (if applicable), the item’s estimated value, purchase date, receipts and serial number.

How much does it cost to create a home inventory list?

Creating a home inventory can be free if you do it yourself. However, if you pay a professional, you will need to pay their fee. Additionally, there are online apps that charge minimal fees for assistance.

Cynthia Bowman

Contributing Researcher

Cynthia Paez Bowman is a personal finance writer with degrees from American University in International Business and Journalism. Her work has been featured in MSN, Brex, Bankrate, Freshome, The Simple Dollar, GOBankingRates, and more. Cynthia is based between Las Vegas and Europe. In her spare time, she travels throughout Africa and the Middle East helping women entrepreneurs develop and grow their businesses.