🏡📋Take Inventory of Your Home

Once you become a homeowner, protecting what you’ve worked so hard for is all on you. Insurance helps, but here’s the catch: even the best policy is only as good as the records you keep.

This week’s topic in our How to Protect Your Home (and Not Break Your Budget) series is all about creating a home inventory — a simple step that can make a huge difference if you ever have to file a claim.

Why a Home Inventory Matters

Take a look around your home. It’s probably filled with things you use every day, treasures you love, and items you may not think twice about … until something happens.

Here’s the reality:

• The total value of your belongings is likely higher than you realize.
• When it’s time to file an insurance claim, you’ll need proof of ownership and value.

A detailed inventory:
✔️ Shows you how much coverage you really need.
✔️ Helps verify the value of your belongings.
✔️ Speeds up and simplifies the claims process.

No guessing. No scrambling. Just clear records that back you up when you need them most.

How to Create a Home Inventory (Without the Stress)

Yes, making a list of everything you own sounds overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some simple ways to get it done:

• Use an online app or software — many insurance companies even provide free tools.
• Take photos or video — walk through your home, room by room, recording what you see.
• Add details when possible — descriptions, serial numbers, model numbers, purchase dates, estimated values, or receipts.

The goal isn’t perfection — it’s documentation. Start simple and build from there.

Keep Your Records Safe

Don’t store your only copy at home where it could be damaged. Instead:

• Save your inventory digitally with cloud storage (Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive).
• Keep physical records in a safe deposit box or a secure location outside your home.

That way, your records are always accessible, even in an emergency.

Final Thoughts

A home inventory may not feel urgent, but it’s one of the smartest things you can do as a homeowner. If disaster ever strikes, you’ll be thankful you took the time.

Next week in our How to Protect Your Home (and Not Break Your Budget) series, we’ll talk about why flood insurance might be more important than you think — even if you don’t live near water.