Film Your House Now: The Insurance Inventory

After a house fire, tornado or flood, your insurance company will ask you to list what you lost. Most people can't remember half of what they own, especially in a crisis. A home inventory, made now while everything is fine, makes the claim faster and helps you get paid for what you actually had.

01The easy way: a walk-through video

You don't need spreadsheets. Your phone's camera is enough.

1. Go room by room. Start at the front door and work through the house.
2. Narrate as you go. "This is the living room. The TV is a 65-inch, bought in 2023, about $800."
3. Open closets, drawers and cabinets. Film what's inside.
4. Get close-ups of valuable items: electronics, jewelry, tools, collectibles, art.
5. Film serial numbers and model numbers on appliances, electronics and tools.
6. Don't forget: the garage, basement, attic, shed, yard equipment, and the outside of the house.

02Add photos and receipts

• Photos of expensive items, from a few angles.
• Receipts or appraisals for big purchases (snap photos of them).
• Brand and model for major appliances.

03Where to keep it

The inventory is useless if it burns with the house.

• Cloud storage (with a strong password).
• A copy with a relative or in a safe deposit box.
• A note in your document binder about where it's stored. See the grab-and-go document binder.

04Keep it current

• Update it once a year or after big purchases.
• Re-film rooms after a remodel.

05Read your policy

While you're at it, check:

• Replacement cost vs. actual cash value: replacement cost pays what it costs to buy new; actual cash value subtracts depreciation.
• Limits on jewelry, firearms, collectibles and other valuables. You may need extra coverage.
• Flood coverage: standard homeowners policies usually don't cover flood. You need separate flood insurance.
• Your deductible.

Talk to your agent if anything isn't clear.

06After a loss

• Your video and photos become the backbone of your claim.
• Take new photos of the damage before you clean up, if it's safe.
• Keep receipts for emergency expenses (hotel, repairs to prevent further damage).

07Do it this weekend

It takes about 20 minutes for an average house. Do it on a quiet Saturday before winter storm season.

Sources (1)

Insurance Information Institute: How to create a home inventory.

Photo by Pexels on Pixabay.

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