Fire! Water! Thief! Why a Home Inventory Could Be Your Lifesaver in an Emergency

The valuables in our home are more than just contents – they are items full of memories.

In most cases, we’ve collected and kept these items because they remind us of good times, and they’ve earned a lasting place in our home. Family photos albums, videos, awards, and personal documents are literally an extension of ourselves and our loved ones. Stories that come to my mind include special items like jewelry, wedding rings, and dresses handed down from one generation to the next.

And then there are the other contents that make our house a home. These include our furniture, cookware, artwork, electronics, and appliances. It extends further to other important items like linens, tools, books, holiday decorations, and business documents. And the list goes on.

Why it’s important to keep a home inventory of personal possessions

Keeping a home inventory is essential for insurance purposes because it provides proof of ownership and helps you accurately determine the value of your possessions. In the event of a theft, fire, or other disasters, having an inventory can help you to quickly and accurately report any losses to your insurance company. This, in turn, helps to speed up the claims process and ensures that you are properly compensated for your damages.

Without a home inventory, it can be challenging to remember everything you owned and its value. It can also be difficult to prove ownership of your items to your insurance company. This can result in delays in the claims process or even undercompensation for your losses.

Whether we own or rent our residence, your insurance company will most likely require it for a replacement claim.

Recovering from a loss is difficult enough. Recording our items is a proactive and positive step we can take to get us through a tough time should a loss occur. Knowing we have our beloved items documented as proof also gives us added support at a mental and emotional level during the heat of our recovery time.

What an ideal home inventory includes:

Personal belongings: This includes clothing, jewelry, electronics, and any other valuable items you own.

Furniture: This includes all the furniture in your home such as couches, beds, chairs, tables, and any other decorative items.

Electronics: Electronics, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and cameras. Also, DVDs, CDs, and other media

Appliances: This includes any large appliances you own, such as refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, washing machines, and dryers. It also includes smaller appliances and kitchenwares such as pots, pans, utensils and dishes.

Collectibles and art: If you own any valuable collectibles or art pieces, such as paintings, sculptures, or antiques, make sure to include them in your inventory.

Home décor: Any home décor items, such as lamps, rugs, curtains, and picture frames, should also be included. Also include linens, including bedding, towels, and curtains

Tools and equipment: If you own any tools or equipment, such as lawnmowers, leaf blowers, or power tools, make sure to add them to your inventory.

Home Office Equipment: Computers, printers, office furniture, software and books

Sporting goods: If you have any sporting equipment, such as bicycles, skis, or golf clubs, make sure to include them in your inventory. Also include any exercise equipment and workout gear.

Musical instruments: If you or a family member play any musical instruments, such as guitars or pianos.

Personal documents: Include important personal documents such as passports, insurance policies, wills, and deeds.

Pet Supplies and Equipment

Make sure to include:

  • A description of the item (make/model, etc.)
  • Estimated value
  • Purchase date
  • Receipts if available
  • Serial numbers

Regarding receipts, if we can keep them, great. If not, simply provide a count for general items like this, nine dress shirts, four suits, six dresses, 47 shoes. Also make a note for any unique or extraordinary items like a wedding dress or handmade Italian shoes.

How to keep track:

  • Create a Spreadsheet: Write a list on paper or create document on your computer. There are two ways to do organize our list; choose one that works best and let’s get started!
    • BY ROOM:  For each room, record all the contents in that room. Remember to document the small stuff as well – on shelves, in drawers, etc.

    • BY ITEM GROUP: Identify categories or groups and record all the items in each group, for instance, clothes, collections, jewelry, artwork, kitchen, furniture, etc.

  • Take photos and/or video:

    • A simple way to do this is to use our cell phone, walk through the house and record each item. As you do this, describe the item and their estimated value.

Important tips for maintaining an inventory of belongings:

  • Review and update the inventory each year. This helps to easily keep our contents current because we only have to document the items we’ve recently acquired or discarded.
  • Keep appraisals of specialty items in secure location. This could include items such as fine art, antiques, jewelry, and the like.
  • Store records ONSITE in a protected place like a fire/waterproof safe or on a backup hard drive.
  • Store records OFFSITE in a safety deposit box, in the cloud, or at another location.

Helpful Phone Apps and Resources for Tracking Inventory:

There are applications out there that help us with our organization and record keeping:

Finally, give a quick call to your insurance provider. They will have some more insights into your personal situation, and perhaps a few more recommendations.

Creating and maintaining a home inventory can be a lifesaver in the event of an emergency. It allows you to quickly and accurately report any losses to your insurance company, speeds up the claims process, and ensures that you are properly compensated for your damages. Additionally, having a home inventory can give you peace of mind knowing that your possessions are protected and accounted for. So, take the time to document your belongings and keep your inventory up to date. It may seem like a small task now, but it could make a world of difference in the future.

Searching for a insurance provider in the Denver Metro area? Give us a call and we’re happy to connect you to our list of trusted partners. 303-810-5757 or email

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