Make a home inventory before a loss by recording what you own, where it is, and—when available—its purchase and identifying details. Walk through every room and storage area, capture photos or video, and keep a backup somewhere outside your home. The inventory can help you prepare a claim, but your policy and insurer determine what is covered and what documentation is required.
Choose an inventory format you will keep current
You do not need a special app. Choose a format that makes it practical for your household to record items, attach evidence, and retrieve a copy after a loss. Regardless of format, keep a backup outside the home.
| Format | Useful for | Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Spreadsheet or paper list | Flexible descriptions, locations, and purchase details. | Attach or store photos and receipts alongside the list; keep a separate copy offsite. |
| Walk-through video | A quick visual record of rooms and belongings. | Narrate useful details and make close-ups of valuable or hard-to-identify items. Store a copy apart from the home. |
| Inventory app | Organizing entries and images digitally. | The NAIC Home Inventory App page describes grouping items by room or category, adding photos, scanning barcodes, and exporting an inventory. An app is optional; retain an accessible backup. |
These are practical differences between record formats, not results of a comparative product test. The California Department of Insurance also provides a paper guide and video-inventory option.
Make the inventory room by room
- Start with one room. Record its contents before moving on, so you can see which areas remain to be covered.
- Check storage spaces. Open drawers, closets, cabinets, and pantries. Include basements, attics, garages, and other places where belongings are kept.
- Make a written or digital record. Give each item—or a useful group of similar items—a plain-language description and location.
- Capture the room and its contents. Take wide views that establish the room, then close-ups of valuable, distinctive, or difficult-to-describe items. A narrated video can show context as you move through the space.
- Save and label the evidence. Date and label images with pertinent information. The California guide notes that photos can be especially helpful when an item is hard to describe or its receipt is unavailable.
Record details that can identify an item
For each entry, include the details you know rather than leaving the record as a collection of room photos. The NAIC flood-insurance desk reference describes written and visual records and identifying and purchase details for insured contents. Its flood-policy context should not be treated as a statement of the rules for every homeowners or renters policy.
#1 Best Overall
- Concise fill-in lists and charts enable you to compile the essential information you need to stay organized as you get ready for your home.
- Gather all the details here -- from your real estate agent to your attorney, from utilities and community info to plumbers, electricians, remodeling plans, and beyond.
- Includes graph paper and forms for planning room details, as well as checklists for routine maintenance.
- Convenient inside back cover pocket for business cards, receipts, etc.
- Elastic band closure attached to the back cover keeps your place or keeps your planner closed.
- Description and location: Record what the item is and where it was kept.
- Purchase information: Note the purchase date, place, and original cost when known. Save receipts, especially for new purchases and repairs.
- Identifying numbers: For major appliances and electronics, record the model and serial numbers when available.
- Valuables: Give jewelry, artwork, antiques, and collectibles particular attention. The NAIC flood reference advises having high-value jewelry or artwork appraised. Keep appraisals with the inventory and ask your insurer whether an item needs separate scheduling or additional coverage; requirements depend on your policy.
Keep a copy that can survive a home loss
Store the inventory and supporting documents somewhere you can access if your home is damaged or inaccessible. The NAIC and California Department of Insurance describe options such as online storage, a safe-deposit box, a workplace, or a relative’s home. California recommends keeping an updated copy in at least two locations.
A flash drive or external drive is one possible electronic copy, not a requirement. If you use one as a disaster backup, keep it somewhere separate from the home; a drive stored only inside the home may be lost in the same event. Paper records and online storage are alternatives. Make sure you can locate and open the saved copy.
Update it after purchases and review it regularly
Add significant new belongings as you acquire them and keep their receipts with the record. Recommendations for a broader review differ by source: the NAIC’s 2022 article recommends reviewing the inventory annually, while the California Department of Insurance’s June 2023 Form 923 brochure recommends three to four reviews a year. These are source-specific recommendations, not a single legal requirement. California also advises checking with your agent or insurer after updates to see whether your coverage remains adequate.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use the record to prepare a claim
After a loss, contact your insurer or agent promptly. Claim-reporting deadlines vary by state, and companies may set deadlines, so ask what applies to your situation rather than assuming one universal time limit. Coverage depends on the policy.
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- Made in the USA: Proudly produced in Ohio by a veteran-owned business; commitment to quality and American craftsmanship
- This book is a great way to track your home inventory, warranties, repairs, etc
- There are spaces to track individual item information, property details like insurance, financing, HOA, vehicles, and more
- Wire-0, 100 Pages, 8.5" x 11"
- LOG-100-7CW-PP(Home-Inventory)
- Ask what to document and submit. Follow the insurer’s instructions for the claim and the evidence it requests.
- Record damaged or lost property. Make a list and photograph or film the damage. When possible, document losses before removing debris and keep damaged items for inspection.
- Keep repair records. Save receipts and other records for temporary repairs, and ask the insurer what the policy covers.
- Use the inventory as supporting evidence. It can help explain what was in your home; it does not itself establish coverage or guarantee payment.
If your inventory was destroyed, the NAIC’s homeowners claims guidance, dated April 20, 2022, suggests working from memory, reviewing photos taken inside the home by you, family, or friends, and using online retailers to help estimate costs. These are fallback sources of information, not a substitute for records made before the loss.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
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