CREATING A HOME INVENTORY

Now that the holidays are over and spring is almost here, it’s a great time to create or update your home inventory.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, only half of homeowners have an inventory of the possessions they'd want their insurance company to replace in case of a fire, theft, or other disaster.

Preparing in advance could mean a faster return to normal life, and a little less stress along the way. Having this documentation will help you verify losses and get your claims settled faster.

TAKE INVENTORY

• Make a list of all possessions and places of purchase.
• Take pictures of rooms and individual items..
• Video your residence, including describing the content of each room as you walk through..
• Attach all receipts, purchase contracts, and appraisals to your inventory list. If receipts are no longer available, record serial numbers and photograph items..
• Clothing: Count these items by category (pants, coats, shoes, etc)..
• Appliances: Note the make, model, and serial numbers of all items..
• Jewelry or Collectibles: These items may have increased in value since the date of purchase. Check with your agent to ensure adequate coverage..
• For a printer friendly version of an inventory list, click here.

Keep your documentation, along with receipts and other attachments, at an offsite location like a safe deposit box or relative's house. Or, store it on a hard drive offsite or on the Cloud.

When you make new purchases or inherit new possessions, make sure your documentation gets updated. Also make sure you update your homeowners insurance policy.

Talk to a local AAA Insurance Agent or visit AAA.com/Insurance for more information.
The content of this article is for informational purposes only. AAA does not provide financial advisory services and does not guarantee any particular outcome.