Imagine your home—every room, every shelf, every drawer. Now, picture trying to remember everything inside after a disaster like a fire, hurricane, or break-in. Tough, right? That’s why keeping a home inventory is essential. It’s your personal “cheat sheet” to be prepared for anything life throws at you.
Why You Need a Home Inventory
If disaster strikes—whether it’s a fire, theft, or natural disaster—having a detailed record of your possessions can make the insurance claims process easier. Instead of scrambling to remember what you owned, you’ll have clear documentation to help you get properly reimbursed.
Why a Home Inventory Matters
Keeping a home inventory isn’t just for insurance purposes – home inventories can also be useful for estate planning, moving, and tracking high-value items. Here’s how it helps:
- Faster Claims Processing: Easily prove what you owned and its value.
- Proof for Tax & Legal Purposes: Useful for estate planning, divorces, and tax-deductible losses.
- Easier Moving & Organization: Keep track of what you have, especially across multiple locations.
- Better Coverage Decisions – Knowing exactly what you own can help ensure you have the right amount of coverage.
- Peace of Mind: No more guessing if the unexpected happens—you’ll be prepared!
How to Create a Home Inventory
A home inventory can be as simple or as detailed as you’d like. Here’s how to get started:
1. Pick Your Style: There are a few ways to create a home inventory, so go with what feels easiest:
- The Classic List – A simple spreadsheet with item descriptions, purchase dates, and values.
- Photo & Video Walkthrough – Snap pictures or record a video while narrating details (bonus: no writing involved!).
- Use an App – At Swyfft, we recommend Housebook, a super easy tool to track your belongings, store receipts, and stay organized.
2. Start Small: No need to tackle the whole house at once. Try this:
- Start with a single area, like one closet or drawer.
- Work room by room, checking off sections as you go.
- Moving? Perfect time to log your stuff while you pack!
3. Capture the Essentials: For each item, jot down:
- Description (brand, model, serial number if available)
- Date of purchase (or an estimate)
- Where you bought it
- Value (bonus for attaching receipts or appraisals!)
4. Don’t Forget the “Hidden” Stuff: Your inventory should also include:
- Items in your garage, basement, attic, or storage unit
- Seasonal decorations, sports equipment, tools, and furniture
- High-value items like jewelry, collectibles, and electronics (get appraisals for these!)
5. Keep it Updated
- Add new purchases as you go—make it a habit!
- Store your inventory somewhere safe (cloud storage, a fireproof safe, or a digital app like Housebook).
- Set a reminder to review and update it once a year (spring cleaning, anyone?).
Why We Recommend Housebook
Instead of keeping scribbled notes or hoping you’ll remember everything, Housebook allows you to store detailed records of your belongings digitally. You can upload photos, add item details, and keep everything organized in one place. When disaster strikes, you’ll have everything ready to go—no guesswork needed.
Taking a little time now to create a home inventory can save you so much time and stress down the road. Whether you use a notebook, photos, or an app like Housebook, having a record of your belongings is one of the best ways to protect yourself in a claim.
Wondering if your home insurance coverage is up to date? Reach out to your agent to make sure you have all the coverage you need!