5 Easy Ways to Make a Home Inventory

A homeowners insurance policy comes in handy if your home is robbed or burnt down. While this policy is tailored to the specifics of your home’s structure, it doesn’t often detail the contents within your home. After filing an incident, your agent will ask about your stolen or damaged possessions. Would you be able to remember every single item of value? Probably not. Creating a home inventory makes the claims process much easier, enabling the complete and quick restoration of your property.

The process of taking this inventory is worth the hassle when it comes time to file a claim. Here’s how to make one:

1. Walk your house, room to room, and create a list of every item you treasure. This list can be written on paper or electronically.
2. For every item, jot down dollar value, manufacturer information, model number and take a photograph. Keep receipts for high-dollar items, like your TV or a piece of jewelry.
3. Skip over items you simply don’t care to replace, like worn out sneakers or stained mugs. Focus on what you would miss, like furniture, appliances, electronics, media collections, kitchenware, artwork, clothing and other items of value.
4. Compile your list and pictures into a document. Make several hard copies and keep one, file one with your insurance agent and leave a few with friends, neighbors or family. You can also add a copy to your safety deposit box. With dispersed copies, the information will always be available, even if your own copy is lost in the destruction of your home.

It’s easy to overlook the necessity of a home inventory until one actually needs it. By then it’s too late and your possessions may not be fully restored. Spend an afternoon completing this task; you’ll be glad you took the time if an incident should occur in the future.

Protect your home and loved ones from detrimental incidents. Call us at 716.892.5154 for a Buffalo NY home insurance quote.