If a natural disaster were to strike your house today, could you recall the total value of your possessions that were lost, damaged or destroyed? A home inventory is a comprehensive list of your personal possessions, along with the individual value of each item. It’s important because in the event of a loss, having an inventory of your home’s contents provides your insurance company with an accurate documentation of your belongings so you can be appropriately reimbursed for the full value of your property. Follow the tips below from Liberty Mutual for guidance on how to create and document a home inventory.

Take one room at a time 
An easy way to get started is to simply take one room at a time. Be as thorough as possible and don’t forget to inventory the insides of closets and cabinets. The five things to document about an item should include: 

• The name and description
• Any associated brand name and model numbers
• Serial numbers
• The original price you paid; Include receipts/proof of purchase (if possible)
• Any special features/add-ons 

Document Your Inventory 
There are several ways to document your belongings. Some options to consider include:  

• An inventory notebook – The most basic method of documenting your home’s contents is with an inventory notebook. Make sure you have a Word document or spreadsheet backup of your notebook stored on a data storage device or uploaded to the cloud in an online file storage service. You should also consider taking digital photographs of high-value items and/or collectibles. Consider storing your inventory notebook or flash drive in a safe deposit box, a fireproof/waterproof safe, with a family member, or with your insurance agent. The same applies to any photos that you have taken.  
• A home video – After documenting a room’s contents, shoot a quick video. When filming, be sure to explain the items you are documenting. And while you don’t have to video tape everything on your list, be sure to record the more important items in your home. Keep a copy of your video in a safe place.  
• An online home inventory app – An online app is a great way to inventory and document items that are in your home, as well as property that you may have in storage or at another location. A big advantage to an inventory app is that you can include digital images of your belongings, as well as receipts, serial numbers, and other information your insurance company may need to process your claim.  
• Schedule special items – When creating your home inventory, consider scheduling certain items onto your homeowners’ insurance policy. Add coverage to protect specific "scheduled" items. These are belongings that may require and warrant additional coverage, since the standard home policy limits the amount you can claim per item. To schedule items onto your homeowners’ insurance policy, simply speak to your sales representative or agent.  
• Keep your home inventory updated – A good time to update your home inventory list is when you homeowners’ policy renews. Of course, if you purchase high-value or unique items at any time of the year, you’ll want to notify your sales representative or agent to discuss scheduling them onto your policy. 

Creating a home inventory may seem like a time-consuming task, but it’s a powerful step toward protecting your financial well-being and peace of mind. Whether you choose a notebook, video, or digital app, the key is to start, stay organized, and keep your records updated.