Insurance

How To Take A Home Inventory List To Protect Your Belongings

Have you made your home inventory list? Take an extra step to protect your belongings by completing a home inventory list. This record is a list of your possessions that can help you assess the right amount of coverage you need for your homeowners policy or renter’s insurance. It also comes in handy in the event there is an accident in your home that affects your personal belongings, such as a fallen tree during a storm or a fire. Having a list of your inventory would be helpful to have during a claim.

How To Tips To Create Your Personal Inventory List

  1. Decide how you will be documenting your list. Some people prefer the traditional pen and paper method, while others prefer doing so digitally through a spreadsheet cloud document or a phone app. Make you backup your list in more places than one so you don’t risk losing access to a digital copy of it. Same goes with a paper copy, make multiple copies and keep them in different locations in the event of a fire, flooding, or natural disaster. 
  2. Document valuables first. Begin your process of listing your inventory by starting with your most valuable possessions first. In the event you don’t get to finishing your list, because let’s face it, most of us have a lot of stuff, at least your most prized possessions will be documented. 
  3. Be thorough when documenting your items. Include basic information about each item such as price, serial number, make and model, and where you bought it. If you have a receipt for major purchases, include a copy of the receipt. The more detail you provide when logging your inventory, the easier it will be to file a claim if you ever need to in the future. Photo and video evidence of your items is also very helpful to have of these possessions. 

Do insurance companies require a receipt for personal property claims? 

It depends on your particular insurance and the circumstance of your claim. Some may require, others may not. To stay on the safe side, gather as many receipts from your valuables as possible. Discuss with your insurer what their requirements are. 

Why is taking your home inventory important? 

Although it requires some work on your end, you can have the peace of mind that you know exactly needs to be covered for your personal property coverage. Here is a list of the benefits: 

Helps determine the coverage you need. If you have several expensive items in your inventory, this helps you ensure that you get the coverage amount you need to protect your belongings. 

Saves you time and stress when filing a claim. If for whatever reason you have to file a claim, having a detailed list of your belongings will be very helpful in this process. 

Makes it easier for you to itemize your losses for income tax purposes. You may be eligible for a tax break if you are impacted by a catastrophe, so having your list of inventory will help you identify your losses. 

Questions about your coverage or interested in switching from your current insurer? There’s a few ways to reach us. You can submit a request for a free quote here. Or give us a call at 704-824-3130 or email us at info@newhopeins.com.

Thank you for reading! 

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