If someone asked you to make a list of everything inside your home right now, could you do it?
Your furniture. Electronics. Clothing. Kitchen appliances. Jewelry. Tools. Children’s belongings. Sporting equipment. Holiday decorations.
Most of us couldn’t remember everything and that’s exactly why having a home inventory can be so valuable.
A home inventory is simply a detailed record of the belongings you have in your home. If you ever experience a covered loss, having that information readily available can make the claims process much easier.
Why Is a Home Inventory Important?
After a major loss, you’re already dealing with the stress of damage to your home and belongings.
Trying to remember everything you owned after a fire, theft, severe storm or other covered event can be overwhelming.
A home inventory gives you a record to work from.
Instead of trying to remember what was in every room, you have documentation showing what you owned before the loss.
It can help you:
- Identify damaged or missing belongings
- Provide information for your insurance claim
- Remember items you might otherwise overlook
- Document valuable or high-cost possessions
- Keep important purchase information in one place
Start With Photos and Video
You don’t have to create a complicated spreadsheet to get started.
One of the easiest ways to begin is by taking photos or a video walkthrough of your home.
Walk through each room and slowly record your belongings.
Open closets. Show what’s inside cabinets. Don’t forget the garage, attic, storage areas and sheds.
For larger purchases or valuable items, take closer photos that clearly show the item, brand, model and serial number when applicable.
A video can be particularly helpful because it can capture dozens of belongings quickly.
Save Your Receipts
Whenever possible, keep receipts for larger or more valuable purchases.
Receipts can help document:
- What you purchased
- When you purchased it
- How much you paid
- The brand and model
- Where you purchased it
You don’t necessarily need a paper filing cabinet full of receipts.
Digital copies, emailed receipts and photographs of paper receipts can all help you keep your records organized.
Don’t Forget the Details
For certain belongings, basic descriptions may not be enough.
For example, instead of simply writing:
“Television – $1,500”
you might record:
“65-inch Samsung OLED television, purchased in 2025, approximately $1,500, serial number recorded.”
The more information you have, the easier it may be to identify the item later.
For particularly valuable belongings such as jewelry, collectibles, artwork or specialty equipment, keep any appraisals, certificates or other documentation you have.
What Should You Include?
The answer is simple: as much as you reasonably can.
Some commonly forgotten categories include:
- Clothing and shoes
- Kitchen appliances and cookware
- Electronics
- Furniture
- Tools
- Computers and tablets
- Children’s toys
- Sporting equipment
- Musical instruments
- Holiday decorations
- Outdoor furniture
- Lawn and garden equipment
- Garage items
- Jewelry and watches
- Collectibles
- Home décor
Don’t forget the things you don’t use every day. Those are often the items that are easiest to forget.
Keep Your Inventory Somewhere Safe
There’s an important catch to having a home inventory: don’t store the only copy inside your home.
If your inventory is sitting on a computer, phone or piece of paper that is destroyed in the same event as your belongings, it may not do you much good.
Consider keeping a digital copy in secure cloud storage or another location outside your home.
You can also share important documentation with a trusted family member.
Update It Regularly
A home inventory isn’t a one-time project.
You don’t need to photograph every single purchase you make, but it’s a good idea to update your inventory when you purchase something significant, sell or donate belongings, or make major changes to your home.
A quick annual review can also help you spot items you’ve forgotten to document.
A good time to update your inventory is after a major shopping trip, holiday, move or home renovation.
Your Home Inventory Doesn’t Replace Insurance Coverage
A home inventory is an excellent organizational tool, but it doesn’t determine what your homeowners policy covers.
Coverage depends on the specific terms, limits, deductibles, exclusions and conditions of your policy.
Some high-value belongings may also have special coverage limits, which is another reason it’s important to talk with your insurance professional about particularly valuable possessions.
Take an Hour and Get Started
Don’t let the idea of creating a perfect home inventory keep you from creating one at all.
Start with your phone.
Walk through your home and take a video. Save it somewhere secure. Then, over time, add receipts and additional documentation for your more valuable belongings.
Even an imperfect inventory is better than trying to reconstruct your entire household from memory after a loss.
A Little Preparation Can Make a Difficult Situation Easier
You work hard to build a home and fill it with the things that matter to you and your family.
Taking the time to document those belongings now can give you one less thing to worry about if the unexpected happens.
If you have questions about your homeowners insurance or want to review your current coverage, ABQ Insurance is here to help.
ABQ Insurance
Home • Auto • RV • Boat Insurance
Albuquerque: 505-217-2100
Rio Rancho: 505-433-6990
Insurance coverage, exclusions, limits and conditions vary by policy. Talk with your insurance professional to determine the coverage that’s appropriate for your individual situation.
