Don’t Put Off Creating Your Home Inventory

February 15, 2024||inPersonal Insurance|home inventory, homeowners insurance, personal insurance, renters insurance

Every homeowner, renter, and college student should have an inventory of their possessions. Just imagine…if you had a fire or burglary, would you be able to remember everything you own and what it cost? An inventory can save you time, money, and stress if you have to make a claim.

Get Started…a Partial Inventory is Better than None

Don’t Put Off Creating Your Home Inventory
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Set a time goal – Setting a deadline helps keep you on track.

Break it into pieces – Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do it all at once. Go room by room. Start with your most valuable possessions.

Get help – Have someone help you take the inventory and review it.

How-To Tips

Create a list: Find a method that works for you. Creating your inventory in an electronic format can make storage, duplication, and inventory updates easy. You can use a spreadsheet and take pictures of your possessions to document details of items, serial numbers, and receipts. If you prefer, a paper document works, too.  Click below for sample home inventory worksheets:

You can search online for an App that guides you through capturing images, descriptions, bar codes, and serial numbers. There are a variety of apps available, so find one that works for you. Keep in mind that it’s a good idea to be able to download your inventory and store it in multiple locations.

What to document: Describe all items, noting make, model, where purchased, and price paid as applicable. List serial numbers for expensive electronics and major appliances. Count clothing items by category, noting high-value items. If you have receipts or appraisals, keep them on your list.

Take photos or video of everything using the time stamp feature if available. Label all images with descriptions. Digital photos are inexpensive and easy to store. Video is excellent for giving verbal descriptions of items. You should do this step first to create a quick inventory.

Document high-value items worth over $500: These items should be described in detail and photographed. High-value items may need to be insured separately since home policies have certain personal property limitations.

Safely store your Inventory: Keep a copy handy for yourself. Most importantly, store your inventory documentation away from your home, where you can always retrieve a copy. You may consider storing it electronically in the cloud, if you have a hard copy, in a safe deposit box, or with someone you trust.

Keep it Up to Date!

Once you’re done, update your inventory when you make big purchases. It’s a good idea to review your list at least every couple of years or when you move. When you’ve completed your inventory, please Contact Us at Murphy Insurance to ensure you have enough insurance to cover all your possessions.

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