The Importance of Updating Your Home Inventory This Spring

In the aftermath of an unexpected event—whether a fire, theft or severe weather—having a comprehensive home inventory can be a lifeline. Not only does it aid in the homeowner insurance claim process, but it can also help recover and replace lost items.

Why Is a Home Inventory Important?

A home inventory provides invaluable evidence of ownership and the condition of your belongings to your insurance company. This can help ensure a smoother and faster claims process when you need it most. By documenting your possessions, you can accurately assess their value. This information can help you determine whether your current insurance coverage adequately meets your needs. If you’ve made significant purchases or changes, updating your inventory can help ensure your coverage remains appropriate.

How to Create a Home Inventory

Consider the following tips for creating an accurate home inventory: 

• Video inventory—One of the simplest yet most effective methods is creating a video inventory. Walk through your home while filming all items in your house and narrating details such as purchase dates, values and unique features. This visual and verbal record makes remembering and describing items in detail easier.
• Spreadsheet—For those who prefer a more traditional approach, consider creating a spreadsheet. This spreadsheet should list descriptions, purchase dates and estimated values systematically. Spreadsheets can be easy to update and organized for quick access.

Whether you choose a video or a spreadsheet, organizing your inventory by room can be helpful. It can streamline the process and make updating and locating specific items effortless. Keep electronic copies of serial numbers, receipts and detailed item descriptions for expensive belongings like jewelry, art and high-end electronics. This additional layer of documentation can be critical for high-value item claims.

Do I Need to Update My Home Inventory?

Creating and maintaining a home inventory may seem daunting, but following these tips may help you create a comprehensive inventory that brings peace of mind. Remember to review your insurance policy regularly to help ensure your coverage matches the value of your possessions, especially after significant life changes.

If you’re decluttering your home during spring cleaning, it’s a great opportunity to update your home inventory. An accurate inventory can help your insurance provider ensure that your policy offers the right level of coverage, including special riders for high-value items.

Homeowners Insurance in San Antonio, TX

Contact Bienvenido Insurance to review your homeowners insurance policy. We can help ensure that your home inventory and insurance coverage match the actual value of your possessions.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.