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How to create a home inventory

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Householder’s Insurance: If an unfortunate event damaged your home and your belongings, could you remember every item you own and how much it’s all worth off the top of your head?

A fire, severe weather, burglary or other disaster can wreak havoc on your home and lead to broken or missing belongings. In the wake of an unfortunate event, having an up-to-date inventory of your items and their value can speed up the claims process and help you recover faster.

Whether you’re setting up your first apartment or have lived in the same house for years, creating an inventory may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. You can start your own inventory with these three simple steps:

Get started NOW!
There are lots of ways to start tackling your inventory. The bottom line is to start somewhere manageable.

Start small. Tackle an organized room or a contained area first. For example, a kitchen appliance cabinet, walk-in closet or chest of drawers with important documents. Start here, then work your way to other areas of your home.

Track recent purchases. Make sure you list recent purchases and work on older possessions after that. Begin keeping receipts, contracts and appraisals so you can show proof of value. Recording recent purchases first can get you into the habit of inventorying your purchases as they’re made.

Include basic information. Describe each item, where it was purchased, make, model, what you paid. For example, major appliances and electronic equipment usually carry a serial number which can be a useful reference.

Categorize clothing. Closets can be hard to tackle. Simplify the process and record clothes by category. For example, four pairs of jeans and three pairs of high heels. Note any items that are especially valuable, like an expensive handbag.

Check coverage on valuable items. Items like jewelry, art and other collectibles may have increased in value and need special coverage outside your homeowner’s insurance. Check with your insurance agent to make sure you have adequate insurance to cover these items effectively.

Technology helps!
Paper and pencil gets the job done, but technology can take your list to the next level.

Take pictures. Create photo records of the rooms in your house and your belongings. Label your photos and include what is pictured and any other information you believe to be helpful should the item need to be replaced or you need to be reimbursed.

Videotape it. Along with pictures, you can use video to document the rooms in your house and belongings. Walk from room to room and describe the contents, including numbers of items, when the items were purchased and other basic information.

Use an app. There are multiple apps that can help with your home inventory process and keep records of your belongings.

Keep your inventory up-to-date and safely stored
Now that you’ve done the work, continuously update your list and store in a safe space. You don’t want your list to be one of the items damaged in an event.

References:
– Insurance Information Institute
Visit our Householder’s Insurance page for more details on this policy

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