Home inventory guide
Home inventory checklist for insurance, room by room
What to document, how to get it done without losing a weekend, and what to do if you've already had a loss. From someone who used to sell the policies.
When I sold insurance, the hardest conversations weren't about the policy. They came after a fire or a storm, when someone had to sit at a kitchen table and list everything they owned from memory. Most people remember the big stuff and forget the rest, and whatever doesn't make the list doesn't make the claim.
A home inventory fixes that. It's a list of what you own, with photos, and it's the thing your adjuster is going to ask for. Here's the checklist I'd hand every client if I could.
Why it matters
- It's what a contents claim runs on. To pay for your belongings, your insurance company needs to know what you lost. A list with photos is the easiest way to show it.
- It helps you pick the right coverage now. Once you see it all in one place, you'll know if your personal property limit actually fits what you own.
- It saves you when you have the least energy. After a loss you're dealing with a lot. Having the list done ahead of time takes one big job off the pile.
What to write down for each item
You don't need every detail for every fork. Go deeper on the things that cost more.
- What it is, plus the brand and model
- Serial number for electronics and appliances
- About when you bought it and what you paid
- Rough condition
- A photo of the item, and one of the label or serial number for anything valuable
- The receipt if you have it. If you don't, don't stress about it
Where to start
Don't try to do the whole house in one night. A half done list beats no list at all. Here's the order I'd go in:
- 1The expensive stuff first. TVs, computers, jewelry, furniture, appliances, tools.
- 2Anything you bought in the last year. It's fresh in your mind and the receipts are easy to find.
- 3One room at a time. Knock out a room a night and you'll be done in about a week.
The room by room checklist
Open every closet, cabinet and drawer as you go. That's where most of the forgotten stuff lives.
Living room
- TV, streaming devices, sound bar and speakers
- Sofa, chairs, coffee and side tables
- Rugs, lamps, curtains and blinds
- Art, mirrors and decor
- Game consoles, controllers and games
- Books, records and collections
Kitchen and dining
- Fridge, range, dishwasher, microwave
- Small appliances: coffee maker, mixer, air fryer, blender
- Cookware, knives and bakeware
- Dishes, glassware and flatware
- Table, chairs and bar stools
- Pantry and freezer food (it adds up fast)
Bedrooms
- Bed frames, mattresses and bedding
- Dressers and nightstands
- Clothes and shoes (open the closet and shoot it)
- Jewelry and watches
- Handbags, belts and accessories
- Laptops, tablets, TVs and chargers
Kids' rooms
- Furniture and bedding
- Clothes and shoes
- Toys, games and sports gear
- Electronics and gaming systems
Bathrooms
- Towels and linens
- Hair dryers, straighteners and grooming tools
- What's in the cabinets and under the sink
Home office
- Computer, monitors, printer
- Desk, chair and shelving
- Phones, tablets, cameras and accessories
- Important papers (note what they are and keep copies somewhere else)
Garage and shed
- Power tools and hand tools
- Mower, trimmer and yard equipment
- Bikes, kayaks and sports gear
- Tool chests, shelving and what's in the bins
- Grill, coolers and camping gear
Outside and patio
- Patio furniture and cushions
- Outdoor lights and decor
- Play sets and trampolines
Laundry and storage
- Washer and dryer
- Holiday decorations
- Attic, basement and under the bed
- Luggage
- Anything in a storage unit
Easy to forget
- Musical instruments
- Collectibles, sports memorabilia and art
- Pet supplies, crates and beds
- Hobby gear: craft supplies, fishing, golf
- Stuff you lent to someone
Photo and video tips
- Stand in a corner and shoot each wall, then open the closets, cabinets and drawers and shoot those too.
- Get close on anything valuable, plus the brand label or serial number.
- Do a slow video walkthrough and talk while you film. "This TV is about two years old" is useful later.
- Grab a few shots outside: the front of the house, deck, fence and anything in the yard.
Where to keep it
- Not only in the house. If the house is gone, a list on paper in the kitchen drawer is gone with it. Keep a copy in the cloud, email it to yourself, or give a copy to someone you trust.
- Update it once a year and after any big purchase.
Already had a loss? You can still build the list.
It's not too late. Here's how I'd help a client rebuild it:
- Walk through what's left, or go room by room in your head
- Scroll your camera roll and social media. Birthday and holiday photos show a lot of rooms in the background
- Pull your order history from Amazon, Walmart, Target and other stores
- Look through credit card and bank statements for bigger purchases
- Ask family and friends for photos they took at your place
- Write things down even without a receipt. Your adjuster can tell you what proof they need
Doing it the fast way
I built AfterProof because this list is a pain to make by hand. You snap a room, the AI picks out the items and finds what they'd cost to replace today, and you end up with a PDF you can send to your adjuster or agent. If you've got a lot of stuff, the web app lets you manage hundreds of items from your computer. It's free to start.
Quick answers
Do I need receipts for a home inventory?
No. Receipts help, but photos and a good description go a long way. Ask your agent what your insurance company wants to see for a contents claim.
How often should I update my home inventory?
Once a year, and any time you buy something big.
Do renters need a home inventory?
Yes. Renters insurance covers your belongings, so the same list applies. Renters often have more stuff than they think.
Where should I store my home inventory?
Somewhere outside your home: the cloud, your email, or with someone you trust.
What's the most commonly forgotten stuff?
Clothes, kitchen gear, what's in the garage, and anything in closets or storage. It's the everyday stuff that adds up.
This is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Every policy is different, so check yours or ask your agent.
Sources: Texas Department of Insurance, United Policyholders, Maine Bureau of Insurance.
