Many times, when you need an inventory of your personal belongings, it is already too late to make one. Sure, you can reconstruct it but undoubtedly, you'll forget things and that can cost you money when filing your insurance claim.
Most homeowner's policies have a certain amount of coverage for personal items that can make up 40-60% of the value of the home.
Homeowners who file an insurance claim for a loss are usually asked by the insurance company for proof of purchase, which can come in the form of a receipt or current inventory of their personal belongings.
Even the most organized people might find it difficult, if not impossible, to find receipts for the valuable things in their home. Think about when you're rummaging around a drawer or closet looking for something and you discover something else that you had totally forgotten that you had.
Think of an inventory as insurance for your insurance policy. An inventory is so important to have so that you can be certain that you list everything possible if you need to make a claim.
Here are some tips for completing your home inventory:
Systematically, make a list of the items by going through the rooms (including the contents of your drawers and closets).
For your clothes you can list the number of shirts, pants, dresses and pairs of shoes that you own but higher cost items should be listed separately.
Photographs and videos can be adequate proof that the items belonged to the insured. A series of pictures of the different rooms, closets, cabinets and drawers can be very helpful. When video is used, consider narrating as it is shot and be sure to go slow enough and close enough to see the things clearly.
Use an app! Read here about some of the top apps that can be used to inventory your home: https://www.thebalance.com/best-home-inventory-apps-4171940
If you are a low tech or paper type of person (or looking for more suggestions) check out this easy to use, interactive form. Download a Home Inventory here—Complete it and save a copy off premise, either in a safety deposit box or digitally in the cloud if you have server-based storage available like Dropbox or Google Drive.
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