After a fire or theft, trying to remember everything you owned is nearly impossible. A home inventory solves that and gets you paid faster.
Why it matters
- It proves what you owned and its value.
- It prevents you from forgetting items and underclaiming.
- It speeds up the adjuster's review.
How to build one fast
- Walk through each room with your phone and record a video, narrating as you go.
- Photograph serial numbers and receipts for big-ticket items.
- Note brand, model, and rough purchase date and price.
- Open closets, drawers, and cabinets, since small items add up.
Where to store it
Keep a copy off-site: cloud storage or email it to yourself. A list that burns with your apartment is no help.
Keep it current
Update it once a year or after any major purchase. Many insurers offer a free inventory app to make this easier.