Home Inventory

Quick Quiz

In the event of a total loss what document can best help replace your belongings?

Your resume
The Declaration of Independence
A complete home inventory

If all of your belongings are lost, a detailed home inventory can help ensure their replacement, verify losses for the police and insurance adjuster, substantiate a tax credit, and help you get your life back to normal as quickly as possible.

Don’t think your belongings are worth enough to insure? Even the tiniest studio apartment can hold thousands of dollar’s worth of personal property. Completing a home inventory can help you determine the overall value of your belongings and assist you in assessing their insurable value.

Investing time in your assets

Taking the time now to document your belongings can save you time and worry later, and ensure proper reimbursement for all your losses. The more area you occupy and personal property you have, the longer it will take to complete an inventory. The most effective inventory combines a detailed written list with one of the following:

Videotape with audio narration
Photographs of valuable, or unique items
Audiotape with photographs of valuable or unique items

There are also good inventory software packages available to help you organize, store and keep your list updated.

No madness in this method

No matter what method(s) you choose, make sure to approach this project systematically so you don’t miss anything. Keep a copy of your completed inventory off premises in a safety deposit box, or with a relative or friend.

Here are some project tips:

Begin in one room and cover its contents thoroughly before moving on.
Remember hallways, attic, basement, garage, porch, pool, patio and garden.
Open closets and drawers.
Group like-items together when possible. For example, clothing can be grouped by category, quantity and overall cost. Note anything of special value.
Document unique information about valuable items, such as model, age, where purchased, unusual qualities, etc.
Record serial numbers of major appliances and electronic equipment.
Attach sales receipts and/or appraisals to the inventory list.
Photocopy important documents and attach to the inventory list. Keep originals in a safety deposit box.
Photograph valuable items against a plain background, next to a ruler. Turn items over to show any hallmark, manufacturer or pattern information.
Keep your inventory list updated by documenting any new items acquired.
Complete separate inventories for any other home, boat or recreational vehicle you own.
Collections and/or specialty items, such as jewelry and art, should be professionally appraised to establish their value. Attach appraisals to the inventory list.

Actually replacing value

A good home inventory that is part of a homeowners, renters or condominium owners insurance plan is designed to restore your lifestyle to normal quickly and with minimal additional cost. There are two types of policies designed for this purpose: actual cash value and replacement cost.

Actual cash value policies pay the cost to replace an item after depreciation. Your 10-year old bedroom set might still look good, but it’s unlikely you could replace it today for what you paid a decade ago. With an actual cash value policy, you will have to make up the difference.

A replacement cost policy takes into consideration what it would cost to replace the bedroom set at today’s prices. You can expect to pay a slightly higher premium for replacement cost coverage.

Read your policy carefully because most homeowners policies have strict limits on certain valuable items, such as jewelry, furs, silver, art, antiques, electronics, guns and other collectibles. You may need to purchase additional insurance, called a rider or floater, to make sure those items are covered properly.

Start here to create your inventory

The inventory form that follows is a good starting point and lists many of the common items most people have in their homes. Don’t be surprised if you need to attach an additional sheet marked “other” for each room you inventory. A lifetime of collecting belongings, even if you’ve just rented your first apartment, can yield a wealth of unique items that express who you are.

To create a consistent “other items” page use the following format on as many sheets as you need.

Other items in (name of room)

Number of items
Description of items
Year Purchased
Cost New
Estimated
Current Value

Living Room

Bookcases
Books
Carpets/rugs
CDs, DVDs, records, audiotapes
Chairs
Collectibles/Knick-knacks
End/Side tables
Entertainment unit
Game units
Games
Lamps/fans/fixtures
Musical instruments
Ottoman
Planters/Plants
Sofas
Sound system
Television/VCR
Videotapes
Wall artwork/Mirrors
Window treatments
Other

Dining Room

Arm chairs
Buffet
Carpets/Rugs
China
China cabinet
Clocks
Collectibles/Knick-knacks
Crystal
Dining table
Glassware
Lamps/Fans/Fixtures
Planters/Plants
Serving pieces
Serving table/Cart
Side chairs
Sideboard
Silverware
Table linens
Wall artwork/Mirrors
Window treatments
Other

Kitchen

Bakeware
Cabinets
Carpets/Rugs
Chairs
Clocks
Collectibles/Knick-knacks
Cutlery
Dishes
Dishwasher
Dryer
Flatware
Food supplies
Freezer
Garbage disposal
Lights/Fans/Fixtures
Linens
Microwave
Planters/Plants
Pots/Pans
Refrigerator
Small appliances
Sound system
Step stool
Stove
Tables
Trash compacter
TV/VCR
Utensils
Wall artwork/Mirrors
Washer
Window treatments
Other

Bedrooms

Accessories
Armoire and contents
Bed frames
Bookcases
Books
Carpets/Rugs
Cedar chest
Chairs
Clothing
Collectibles/Knick-knacks
Computer system and software
Desk and contents
Dressers and contents
Dressing table and contents
Game system and games
Games
Lights/Fans/Fixtures
Linens
Mattress/box spring set
Night tables and contents
Planters/Plants
Radio’s/sound system
Sewing machine
Shoes
Toiletries
Toys
TV/VCR/DVD
Wall artwork/mirrors
Window treatments
Other

Bathrooms

Cabinets
Carpets/Rugs
Chairs
Clock
Hampers
Linens
Radio
Scale
Shelving
Shower curtains and hooks
Small electronics
Tables
Toiletries
Wall artwork/mirrors
Window treatments
Other

Attic/Basement/Garage/Playroom

Carpentry tools/supplies
Carpets/rugs
Furniture
Garden tools/Supplies
Indoor games
Lawn mower
Outdoor games
Pantry food items
Pantry housewares
Pantry pet supplies
Pantry storage units
Playroom bookshelves and contents
Playroom electronics
Playroom game tables
Shovels
Snow blower
Sprinkler/Hose
Toys
Wheel barrow
Window treatments
Workbench
Other

Porch/Patio/Garden/Pool

Carpets/Rugs
Chairs
Lounge/Hammock
Ornamental lawn items
Outdoor cooking equipment
Plants/Planters
Playscapes
Pool equipment/Toys/Supplies
Tables
Umbrella
Other

Resources

Home Inventory software - "Know Your Stuff"
Computerize Your Assets - (free trial only) - screenshot review of software