How to Make a Home Inventory for an Insurance Claim
Go room by room, and list every item with a description, brand or model if you know it, about how old it is, and what it would cost to replace. Use your phone's photos, online order history and bank statements to jog your memory and back up what you list. A packout company's inventory can do much of the work for items it handled. Send the list in the format your adjuster asks for, and keep a copy.
After a loss, your insurance company usually needs a list of the belongings you're claiming: what was damaged or destroyed, and what it was worth. It's called a contents inventory, or "proof of loss" for personal property, and it's often the most tiring part of the whole claim. Here's how to make it manageable and complete.
Start with what you already have
- The packout inventory. If a restoration company packed out your home, ask for its full inventory and photos. Items marked as unsalvageable are often already listed and photographed.
- Your phone's photo library. Search old photos by room: birthdays in the living room, holidays in the dining room. The background shows furniture, TVs, decorations and more.
- Online order history: Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy and other stores keep years of orders with prices and dates.
- Email receipts. Search your inbox for "order," "receipt" and "your purchase."
- Bank and credit card statements for larger purchases.
- Social media. Your own posts and family members' photos.
Go room by room
Picture yourself standing in the doorway of each room and working clockwise. Then open every drawer, closet and cabinet in your mind. People almost always forget the small stuff, and small stuff adds up.
- Kitchen: small appliances, pots and pans, dishes, utensils, food
- Living room: furniture, TV, electronics, decor, rugs
- Bedrooms: furniture, mattresses, bedding, clothes, shoes
- Closets: coats, linens, luggage, games
- Bathrooms: towels, toiletries, small appliances
- Office: computers, printers, supplies, books
- Kids' rooms: toys, sports gear, school supplies
- Garage and basement: tools, yard equipment, storage boxes
- Laundry: washer and dryer (if yours), supplies
- Holiday and seasonal decorations
What to write down for each item
| Detail | Example |
|---|---|
| Room | Living room |
| Description | 3-seat fabric sofa, gray |
| Brand / model | Ashley, if known |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Age | About 6 years |
| Where bought / price paid | Furniture store, about $1,200 |
| Cost to replace today | Link or screenshot of a similar sofa |
A spreadsheet works well. Many insurers also have their own form or app. Ask your adjuster which format they want before you spend hours on a different one.
Tips that make the claim go smoother
- Be honest and specific. "Samsung 55-inch TV, about 4 years old" is better than "TV." Don't guess high. Inflated lists slow claims down and can cause real problems.
- Find similar items for replacement prices. Screenshots or links to comparable items help, especially with replacement cost coverage.
- Flag high-value items. Jewelry, firearms, collectibles and art often have special limits and need extra proof like appraisals.
- Split the work. Give each family member a room. Different people remember different things.
- It can be done in parts. Ask your adjuster whether you can submit the list in batches so payments can start sooner.
- Keep copies of everything you send, and write down who you sent it to and when.
It's OK if it takes time
Making a list of everything you own, right after losing it, is emotionally hard. Most people remember more items for weeks afterward. Keep a running note on your phone and add to it as things come back to you. Ask your adjuster how to add items after your first list is sent.
The bottom line
Start with the packout inventory and your phone's photos, go room by room and drawer by drawer, write down the details adjusters look for, and send it in the format they ask for. Then promise yourself one thing: once your home is back, make an inventory before you need it.
This article is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Your insurer's requirements and deadlines may differ. Ask your adjuster.