--- title: Creating a Home Inventory for Insurance description: A step-by-step checklist for documenting your belongings so you're prepared to file an accurate, complete insurance claim. category: home tags: [insurance, home-inventory, disaster-prep] version: "1.0" updated: 2026-07-15 sources: - name: NAIC Home Inventory url: https://content.naic.org/consumer/home-inventory - name: A home inventory: Why you need it and how to do it (Texas Dept. of Insurance) url: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/tips/home-inventory.html - name: How to create a home inventory (III) url: https://www.iii.org/article/how-create-home-inventory - name: Brochure: Home Inventory (III) url: https://www.iii.org/article/brochure-home-inventory - name: Making a Home Inventory (III) url: https://www.iii.org/article/making-home-inventory - name: Three reasons to take a home inventory (III) url: https://www.iii.org/article/three-reasons-take-home-inventory - name: How to file a homeowners claim (III) url: https://www.iii.org/article/how-to-file-a-homeowners-claim - name: Home Inventory and Contents Claim Tips (United Policyholders) url: https://uphelp.org/claim-guidance-publications/home-inventory-and-contents-claim-tips/ - name: National Flood Insurance Program Claim Forms for Policyholders (FEMA) url: https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance/find-form/policyholders --- ## Phase 1: Set Up Before You Start - [ ] Choose a recording method A purpose-built option is the free NAIC Home Inventory app, which makes it easy to create a record of all your belongings, including the ability to scan barcodes and upload photos of your items. - [ ] Pick a starting point rather than the whole house at once A contained area—like your small kitchen appliance cabinet, your sporting equipment closet or your handbag shelf—is a great place to get started; it's better to have an incomplete inventory than nothing at all. - [ ] Gather receipts and paperwork for existing big-ticket purchases before you begin So cost and purchase-date details are on hand while you work room by room. ## Phase 2: Document Every Room - [ ] Walk through and film or photograph each room, narrating contents as you go If you have a video camera, you can walk through your house filming and describing the contents at the same time. - [ ] Open closets and drawers and record serial numbers of items like appliances and electronics Don't forget the garage or shed to make note of tools, lawn equipment, and sporting goods. - [ ] Record make, model, and serial numbers for major appliances and electronics - [ ] Describe each item you record Note where you bought it, the make and model, what you paid and any other detail that might help in the event you need to make a claim. - [ ] Count clothing by general category For example, "5 pairs of jeans, 3 pairs of sneakers…" - [ ] Don't forget off-site items `{essential}` Your belongings kept in a self-storage facility are covered by your homeowners insurance, too. - [ ] Flag high-value items separately `{essential}` It is essential to note expensive items such as jewelry, furs and collectibles since they may require additional insurance. - [ ] List legal and financial documents as part of the inventory It's important to keep a record of legal documents, such as birth certificates and passports, and financial documents, such as bank accounts and insurance policies. ## Phase 3: Verify Coverage While You Work - [ ] Check coverage on big ticket items `{essential}` Jewelry, art and collectibles may have increased in value and may need special coverage separate from your standard homeowners insurance policy; ask your agent whether you need a floater. - [ ] Confirm damaged contents belong on the NFIP-specific form `{when: has-flood-coverage}` FEMA Form 206-FY-21-106 policyholders use to list the inventory of flood-damaged personal property (also known as contents), which includes the quantity, description, actual cash value and amount. - [ ] Cross-check your total inventory value against your policy's personal property coverage limit Many homeowners who experience a total loss are underinsured. ## Phase 4: Store and Maintain the Record - [ ] Store a copy of your inventory in a safe place outside of your home `{essential}` With a friend or in a safe deposit box, or keep it in cloud storage, so it survives if the house itself is destroyed. - [ ] Keep receipts filed alongside inventory entries Keep receipts when they are available and note the cost for the item, when you bought it and other information about the make and model. - [ ] Add new purchases to your inventory right away Whenever you make a significant purchase, remember to add the information to your inventory while the details are fresh in your mind. - [ ] Redo a full walkthrough periodically Since values and contents change over time. ## Phase 5: If You Ever Need to File a Claim - [ ] Report any crime to the police `{essential}` If you are the victim of a theft or your home has been vandalized or burglarized, report it to the police. Get a police report and the names of all law enforcement officers that you speak with. - [ ] Avoid throwing out damaged items until the adjuster has visited your home `{when: if-possible}` `{essential}` - [ ] Pull your stored inventory and supporting documents immediately Having an up-to-date home inventory will help you get your insurance claim settled faster, verify losses for your income tax return and help you purchase the correct amount of insurance. - [ ] Keep a claim diary logging every conversation with the insurer or adjuster Per "CLAIM DIARY" practice recommended for large-dollar claims. - [ ] Use FEMA's itemized Contents Worksheet `{when: federally-declared-disaster-or-flood-claim}` Policyholders use this form to list the inventory of flood-damaged personal property in the required format. - [ ] Save receipts for what you spend You may be able to submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement later.