How to Create a Home Inventory Checklist

Creating a home inventory checklist can help you decide how much coverage you need to protect your personal belongings. It also helps you figure out whether or not you need additional coverage for any high-dollar items. Basic home insurance policies provide limited coverage up to $1,000 or $1,500. Even though these limits keep home insurance costs low, your valuable items may be left unprotected.

If a disaster were to occur, you don’t want to be left figuring out what items are covered and which ones aren’t. This is where a home inventory checklist comes into play. We have a few tips that can help you create an in-depth home inventory checklist. Preparing this list will give you a better understanding of how much coverage you need. Let’s begin.

What’s a Home Inventory Checklist?

A home inventory checklist is a list of items in your home you deem valuable. You can organize the checklist by category, room, or some other relevant criteria.

In your list you should include:

  • Date of purchase
  • Receipts/bank statements
  • Photos
  • Appraisals
  • Item description
  • Make/model
  • Serial number

Tips for Creating a Home Inventory Checklist

Taking home inventory is easier for people who have just moved into a new place. However, if you’ve been living in your home for years, it could be harder to keep track of all your items. The following are some tips on creating a home inventory list.

Get Started Immediately

The most important thing you can do is get started immediately! You should take inventory right away and edit the list when necessary. It’s easier to add items upon purchase while the details are still fresh in your mind.

However, we understand life happens and sometimes we’ll forget to do it right after purchase. Just know it’s never too late to start! We suggest starting in a more contained area first like your kitchen or closet. The majority of your high-value items will be located in your closet like handbags, fur coats, watches, jewelry, belts, etc.

Include Basic Information

If you have valuable possessions you need optimal coverage for then you need to describe the item in great detail! This includes the name of the product, where and when you bought it, the make/model, the amount you paid for it, etc.

The more detail you provide in your list the better off you’ll be in the event of a home insurance claim.

Check Coverage on Valuable Items

If you have valuable items like jewelry, watches, handbags, or art, make sure you have adequate coverage. This is because these items may increase in value and need additional coverage.

Make sure you talk with your insurance provider to figure out how much additional coverage you need.

Make Note of Any Off-Site Items

Several off-site items may be included in your home insurance policy. If you have a storage unit then the items inside will be covered.

Don’t forget to list these items on your home inventory!

Keep Your Receipts or Bank Statements

One of the main reasons homeowners have issues with an insurance claim is they aren’t able to prove the purchase price. Therefore, it’s best to keep a copy of your receipt or bank statement indicating how much you spent on a particular item.

This will make the claims process run much smoother!

 

 

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Sources

https://www.thebalance.com/making-a-home-inventory-list-for-insurance-4166000

https://www.iii.org/article/how-create-home-inventory