Inventory Your Belongings for Insurance Purposes

Once the boxes are unpacked and things put away, it’s time to get the camera out and start making a permanent record of what is in your home.

• Pick an easy place to start like the utility room or kitchen.
• Record serial numbers of small appliances and other theft-prone items.
• Keep any available receipts in an envelope with the description of the items.
• A detailed record of antiques, jewelry, silver, major appliances, and collector’s items is very important.
• Keep your inventory up-to-date -- be sure to add new items as you purchase them.
• Digital imaging, photos, or video, may be the best way to record your belongings. To prepare this kind of inventory, follow these easy guidelines.
• If doing a video inventory, start in one corner of the room and work your way around until the whole room has been covered.
• Any point-and-shoot camera or smartphone will do.
• Have someone help you. One person can operate the camera and the other can identify objects in the room.
• Make sure pictures and videos are dated and that items shown are accompanied by written records of when the item was purchased and possibly where purchased and the purchase price.
• To get the overall picture, take wide-angle shots of the entire room, then several close-ups to capture details.
• If using a flash, try not to shoot into mirrors and other reflective surfaces by standing at a 45° angle to the shiny surface.
• A family member in the picture helps prove ownership. Open closet doors to indicate the quantity of clothing.
• Remember to take pictures of the inside of drawers with the contents fanned out.
• Use non-glare dark cloth as a backdrop for silver, china, or jewelry, and try to avoid using a flash.
• Take a picture of the pattern name or manufacturer's signature of your china, along with a picture of the pattern.
• Don’t forget to inventory closets, the attic, the basement, and the garage.
• Be sure to include sporting goods.
• Don’t forget to include power tools and detailed photos of the inside of any toolboxes, drawers, or storage sheds.
• Count clothing by general category (for example, 6 pairs of jeans, 15 dress shirts…)
• Jewelry, art, and other collectibles need accurate descriptions and valuations.
• Off-site items kept in storage facilities are important to include.
• Once the inventory has been made, make a duplicate and store it separately, outside the home. Digital copies can be stored on an external drive or an online “cloud” storage account or with a friend or relative.