Grab a notebook. And a pencil. We are starting downstairs.
I’ll take the photos later and load them onto a USB drive. Watch your step. Do not trip over Mike Moo. Yes, he is a cat the size of a rocking chair. He is surprisingly light on his feet. He loves the Great Dane. If that dog had a pouch, Moo would crawl inside. It is absurd. But here we are.
Write this down as I speak. We are taking an inventory. Not for fun. For insurance.
The Case for Documentation
Consider the armor. It cost $800. It is not a Halloween costume. It is a late 19th-century replica. Most people do not own suits of armor. I am not most people. The authentic suit I wanted went for $4,000 at auction. That is too rich for my blood.
Then there is the stuffed peasant. $35. Do not ask. Mike Moo is unimpressed. He hates birds. Let us never speak of it again.
There is also a 19th-century tin bathtub. $250. Victorians used this when bathrooms were pure science fiction. Now it doubles as a cat bed. The animals in this house get everything.
You might think I have lost my mind. I am lucid. Or so I claim. Lucidity is subjective. What we are doing is documenting my valuables. Or rather, my “not so valuables.” We need this if I have to file an insurance claim. This inventory is proof. It helps us negotiate replacement costs with the insurer.
Listing everything after a fire or burglary is gut-wrenching. You have to remember what you owned. It is emotional torture. An inventory removes the angst. You need to know how to do it right.
Why Most Homeowners Fail at This
Nearly 60 percent of Americans have no list of their belongings. They have no record. A 2012 survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners confirmed this. 59 percent of those questioned never inventoried their possessions.
Even among those who tried, the results were poor. 48 percent did not keep receipts. 27 percent never photographed their belongings. 28 percent do not have a copy of the inventory stored outside the home.
Why does this matter? Insurance companies reimburse contents up to 50 percent of the home’s insured value on average. Some offer 70 percent. If you do not have proof, you get less.
An inventory tells you if you have enough coverage. Most policies offer two choices. Actual cash value. Replacement cost coverage. Actual cash value pays what you would get selling the item used. It subtracts depreciation. Replacement cost coverage pays the current market price to replace the item. It costs more. But it pays more when disaster strikes.
Robin Kaufman’s Lesson
Robin Kaufman knows the stakes. In 2007, wildfires destroyed her San Diego neighborhood. She lost her house.
The day before the fire, she videotaped her home. She just wanted to share it with a friend on the East Coast. She did not think it was insurance documentation. After the blaze, that videotape became her record. She used it to file her claim. It made the difference.
Getting Started: Low-Tech vs. High-Tech
How do you start?
I chose low-tech. I listed my possessions in a notebook. I took pictures. I pasted the photos next to the descriptions in the book. It is simple. It works.
You can videotape. You can type everything into a computer. If you want high-tech, the Insurance Information Institute offers free online home inventory software. You can create, update, and store the info safely. There is even an iPhone app.
Choose your method. But start now. Not after the fire.
Documenting Every Last Thing
Start with the high-value items. Jewelry. Furs. Collectibles. If you have them, list them now. But don’t stop there. We often forget the smaller things until it’s too late. Toys. Old records. Comic books. CDs. Video games. Clothing. It all counts.
You can organize this list two ways. By room. Or by category. Or a mix. Just pick one and stick to it. You need to capture appliances. The dishwasher. The central air unit. Household fixtures like carpets and rugs. Furniture. Bookcases. Chairs. Clocks. Mirrors. Living room sets. Dining room tables. Bedroom contents. Linens. Nightstands. Kitchen tables. Patio furniture. Garage stuff. Home office gear. Library books. Den items. Everything.
As you walk through each space, document it. Photos are best. Video works too. If you shoot video, narrate. Walk from room to room. Open every drawer. Check every closet. Speak what you see. If you use photos, slap them next to the written description. Digital cameras are fast. If you’re stuck with film, scan those negatives immediately.
Keep the receipts. Keep the serial numbers. For the big-ticket items especially. Once the list is done, protect it. A fire-resistant safe is good. A safe deposit box at your bank is better. Give a copy to a trusted relative. Leave one with your attorney. Lock it in a safety deposit box. Update this document four times a year. Don’t let it go stale.
The library is done. On to the living room.
Why Timing Matters for Your Home Inventory
Moving is a weirdly perfect time to do this. You’re already pulling things out. Sorting. Packing. You might as well photograph the contents while they’re in your hands. You’ll get more detail than if you sat on the couch and tried to remember what you own. It’s easier when the item is in front of you.
Household Inventory FAQ
What is a home inventory?
It’s a detailed record of your valuables and everyday items. You need it for insurance claims. It’s proof. You use it to negotiate replacement costs with your insurer when disaster strikes.
Why should you make one?
After a fire or burglary, your head is spinning. Trying to remember every shirt and spoon is emotionally draining. A pre-made list removes the guesswork. It reduces the stress of the aftermath.
Are household inventories actually important?
Yes. Insurance policies often cap reimbursement for personal property at 50% of your home’s insured value. Some go up to 70%. If you don’t have proof of what you own, you’ll likely get the minimum. It’s about maximizing your payout.
Is there an app for this?
Yes. The Insurance Information Institute offers free online software. They even have an iPhone app. It helps you create, update, and store the data digitally.
How are items insured?
Two ways. Actual Cash Value (ACV) or Replacement Cost. ACV accounts for depreciation. You get what the item is worth used. Replacement Cost pays what it costs to buy a new one today. Pick your coverage wisely.
Final Thoughts
Don’t wait for a crisis to start. Start now. Open the drawers. Take the photos. Save the receipts. It takes time. But when something goes wrong, you’ll be glad you did. The rest of the house is waiting.
