With so many people currently sheltering at home, it’s a great time to make a home inventory. “It’s also Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week, so it’s a good time to document your possessions just in case something were to happen,” said Nick Arnoldy, owner. “Having an inventory of what’s in your home is something every person should have and share with their insurance agent.”

Why create a home inventory checklist?

Though your homeowners insurance policy provides the protection that you need in the event of a loss such as a fire or burglary, your policy can only pay for items that you can document. In order to assure that all your prize possessions will be replaced, you should conduct a home inventory so you have a finite record of everything that you own. This inventory will assist you in determining which items were destroyed or stolen.

How should you conduct a home inventory?

To complete a full home inventory, walk through every room in your home and identify all of the contents. It is also wise to take photographs or make a video of all of your possessions, and keep this media documentation with your list. Then, place all of this information into a fireproof safe or safety deposit box at your bank. Periodically, update this list as you purchase more items for your home.

How does a home inventory list relate to my insurance policy?

Not only can a household inventory checklist assist you in the event of a loss, it can also help you determine whether you have enough insurance coverage. Your coverage should equal the cost of your possessions at today’s prices. Items such as jewelry, furs and fine art should be appraised on a regular basis to ensure that you have enough insurance to cover their high-priced value. Once you have completed your home inventory walk-thru, contact Marshfield Insurance Agency for more assistance with your insurance needs. STEP 1: PREPARE – Gather your smartphone, camera, or pen and paper. STEP 2: RECORD – Start at one end of your house and document your belongings. Using a smartphone to take a video of your home from one end to the other is probably easiest. We can even store the file at Marshfield Insurance for you. STEP 3: INCLUDE – Include important belonging details, such as serial numbers or receipts. STEP 4: STORE – Keep a hard copy of your inventory someplace safe and upload a digital copy to the cloud. STEP 5: REVIEW – Review your current coverage with your insurance agent to see if any adjustments are needed. Download our handy Home Inventory Checklist! Instead of filling this out, you can also walk around with a smartphone and take a couple of videos. Then, if something happens, you can sit down with an adjuster and we’ll go through it with you. Even better, you can bring the file in and we’ll store it for you. Contact an agent with any questions- 715.387.4443.