If a fire, severe storm, theft, or other covered loss damages your home, trying to remember everything you own can be surprisingly difficult. A home inventory gives you a head start when it’s time to document a claim—and can help prevent valuable items from being overlooked.
🎥 Take a Video Walkthrough
Grab your smartphone and take a slow walk through every room. Open closets, cabinets, and drawers, and don’t forget the garage, shed, and storage areas. For major appliances and electronics, capture model and serial numbers when possible. Narrating the video with details like brand, condition, and approximate purchase date can make it even more useful.
📲 Use an Inventory App
You don’t need a fancy spreadsheet—or an entire weekend. Home inventory apps can organize belongings by room, store photos, and even scan barcodes. The NAIC Home Inventory App is one free option for creating and exporting a digital inventory.
☁️ Store It Somewhere Safe
Here’s the important part: don’t keep your only copy at home. Store your inventory, receipts, photos, and important policy documents in secure cloud storage or another location away from your home. Update your inventory after major purchases or renovations.
A little documentation today can save a lot of head-scratching tomorrow. And if you’re not sure whether your coverage keeps up with what you own, talk with your insurance agent before you need to file a claim.
Contact our team at Dowd Insurance for a review of your home insurance policy coverages today.
