For insurance agents
How agents can help clients build a home inventory
A simple way to make claims go smoother, have better coverage conversations, and give clients a reason to remember you before anything goes wrong.
When I sold insurance, the worst calls I took weren't about price. They came after a fire or a storm, when a client had to list everything they owned from memory and realized they couldn't.
Most of those clients had decent policies. What they didn't have was a home inventory. And that's something we as agents can help with long before the claim, in about five minutes per client. Here's how I'd approach it.
Why it matters to your book
A home inventory is a list of what a client owns, ideally with photos, rough values and serial numbers for the bigger stuff. It sounds boring. It isn't, once you've watched someone try to rebuild one in a hotel room.
- Better claims experience. The contents part of a claim is usually where people get stuck. A client with a list and photos can move faster and is less likely to forget whole categories of stuff (the garage, the closets, the kitchen drawers).
- Fewer angry calls. When a claim drags, the agent hears about it, even when the carrier is the one handling it. Helping clients prepare takes some of that frustration off the table.
- Retention. People remember the agent who helped them get ready, not just the one who quoted them. It's a real reason to reach out that isn't a renewal notice or a bill.
- Trust. It shows you care about how the policy actually works for them when something happens, not just about writing it.
Right sizing Coverage C, honestly
The Insurance Information Institute says personal property coverage is generally 50 to 70 percent of the insurance on the structure, and that a home inventory is the best way to figure out if that's enough. In my experience, most people have no idea what their stuff would cost to replace until they add it up.
An inventory turns the coverage conversation from a guess into something based on facts. Sometimes that means a client needs more personal property coverage. Sometimes it shows they need a scheduled item or floater for jewelry, art or collectibles, since many policies have dollar limits on those for theft. Sometimes it shows they're fine. All three are good outcomes.
- Compare the inventory total to their personal property limit
- Flag high value items that may hit special limits
- Check whether the policy pays replacement cost or actual cash value on contents (here's a plain English explainer on actual cash value vs replacement cost)
- For renters, use it to show what a renters policy would actually protect (do I need renters insurance is a good one to forward)
The point isn't to upsell. The point is the right limit. If you lead with that, the cross sell takes care of itself when it's actually needed, and the client knows you weren't just pushing. For a client facing walkthrough of the math, send them how much personal property coverage do I need.
When to bring it up
You don't need a whole campaign. Just attach it to moments you're already talking to people:
- New policy. Right after binding, while they're paying attention. "Here's one thing to do this month."
- Renewal. A natural time to ask whether their limits still fit what they own.
- Before storm or wildfire season. Here in Lake Charles we get tornado watches during storm season and everyone knows hurricane season. People listen when the weather is on their mind. Our hurricane guide and house fire guide are easy to share then.
- After a life event. A move, marriage, new baby, a kid going to college, a big purchase, an inheritance. Each one changes what's in the house. If a client is relocating, moving insurance is worth a look too.
What to actually say
Keep it short and about them. Here's roughly what I'd say on a call or in an email. Make it yours.
- Open with the why. "One thing I ask all my clients to do: make a quick list of what you own, with some photos. If you ever have a claim, it's the part that slows people down the most."
- Make it small. "You don't have to do it all at once. Start with one room, or just walk through the house with your phone recording video."
- Tie it to coverage. "Once you have a rough total, send it my way and we'll check your personal property limit and anything like jewelry that might need its own coverage."
- Tell them where to keep it. "Save it somewhere outside the house, like the cloud or your email, so it doesn't burn with everything else."
- Follow up once. A friendly note a couple of weeks later. That's it.
What to send clients
Send something they can use right away. Our free room by room home inventory checklist walks them through every room, including the stuff everyone forgets. If a client is already dealing with a loss and never made a list, how to prove what you owned without receipts is the one to send.
Put the checklist link in your welcome email, your renewal email and your pre season newsletter. It costs nothing and it's useful whether or not they ever file a claim.
Make it easy for your clients
I built AfterProof because making a contents list by hand is brutal. Your clients snap photos of their stuff, the AI identifies each item and finds what it costs to replace today, and they get a PDF they can send an adjuster (or you, for a coverage review). For big homes, the web app lets them work from a computer. Agents can request a referral code at useafterproof.com/agent. Our team reviews it and gets back to you.
Keep it clean
This is a service conversation, so keep it that way:
- Don't promise outcomes. Say an inventory "can help" a claim go smoother. Never say it guarantees a payout or a faster settlement. The carrier and the policy decide that.
- Mind rebating and inducement rules. They vary by state. Before you give clients anything of value tied to buying a policy, check with your agency or carrier compliance team.
- Don't hold their data. Encourage clients to keep their own inventory. You only need a total and a list of high value items for the coverage review.
- Stay in your lane on claims. Help them get organized and point them to the adjuster for coverage decisions.
Quick answers
Should insurance agents help clients make a home inventory?
It's a good idea. A home inventory helps clients file contents claims, and it gives you real numbers for setting personal property limits. Most clients won't do it unless someone they trust asks.
How do I get clients to actually do a home inventory?
Make it small and specific. Ask them to start with one room or record a quick video walkthrough on their phone, send a checklist, and follow up once a couple of weeks later.
When is the best time to talk to clients about a home inventory?
Right after a new policy, at renewal, before storm or wildfire season, and after life events like a move, marriage, new baby or a big purchase.
How much personal property coverage do most homeowners have?
The Insurance Information Institute says it's generally 50 to 70 percent of the dwelling coverage. A home inventory is the best way to check whether that's enough for a specific client.
Is it rebating to recommend a home inventory app to clients?
Recommending a tool is generally just service. Giving clients something of value tied to buying a policy can raise rebating or inducement issues, and the rules vary by state, so check with your compliance team first.
This is general information, not insurance, legal or compliance advice. Every policy and every state is different, so check your carrier guidelines and state rules.
Sources: Insurance Information Institute, what's covered by a standard homeowners policy, NAIC, consumer insight on renters insurance and home inventories, United Policyholders, home inventory and contents claim tips.
