KeeptlyGuide · Home inventory
How to make a home inventory for insurance
After a fire, a flood or a break-in, nobody remembers everything they owned. A home inventory is a simple list that does the remembering for you, and it can make an insurance claim much easier.
Why it matters
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners says an accurate home inventory gives your insurer the information it needs to help settle a claim. It also helps you check whether your coverage matches what your things are worth.
What to record for each item
- What it is. A short description, plus the make and model.
- Serial number. Usually on the back or bottom of appliances and electronics.
- Where and when you bought it. The store and the purchase date.
- What you paid. Add an estimated current value if you know it.
- Proof. Attach receipts, purchase contracts and any appraisals.
Example: “55-inch TV, North Electric, model NE-55, serial 4K7720193, bought March 2026 for $649. Receipt and photo attached.”
Take photos and a video
Photos help when an item is hard to describe in words. Walk through each room and film it, opening closets and drawers and saying what you see. Then take close-ups of serial labels and of anything valuable, like jewelry, art or a collection.
Start small, then keep going
A whole house feels like too much, so do not start there. The Insurance Information Institute suggests listing your recent purchases first and then working back. Pick one cabinet or one room, finish it, and move on. Do not skip everyday things such as clothes, books and kitchen gear, because they add up fast.
Where to keep your inventory
An inventory that burns with the house does not help. Keep at least one copy somewhere else: with a relative, at work, on an external drive or in an online storage account.
Keep receipts with it, or keep clear photos of them, since many receipts fade over time. A short note on where each original is filed saves time later.
Keep it up to date
Add big purchases as you make them and tell your insurer about expensive new items. The California Department of Insurance suggests reviewing your list a few times a year, for example at the start of each season.
When you move, renew your policy or sell something, update the list on the same day. Small habits keep it useful.
Questions
What should a home inventory include?
For each item: a description, make and model, serial number, where and when you bought it, what you paid, and photos. Attach receipts or appraisals when you have them.
Where should I keep my home inventory?
Keep at least one copy outside your home, such as with a relative, at work, on an external drive or in an online storage account.
How often should I update it?
Add major purchases right away and review the whole list a few times a year, for example when the seasons change.
Sources
- Home Inventory · National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
- How to create a home inventory · Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I)
- Home Inventory Guide (2023) · California Department of Insurance
- List it before you lose it: the importance of making a home inventory (May 14, 2024) · Connecticut Insurance Department