The Importance of Home Inventory: A Tool for Better Home Insurance Coverage

Home insurance is essential for homeowners to protect themselves and their homes financially. However, home insurance policies are not one-size-fits-all. Homeowners must make careful decisions and work with an insurance professional to ensure their home is insured for the correct value. One crucial step in this process is developing a home inventory.

What Is a Home Inventory and Why Is It Important?

A home inventory is a documented list of all the possessions in the home accompanied by their estimated financial value. A home inventory is essential for the following reasons:

• Helps you decide the types and amounts of insurance you need—It’s essential to have an accurate home inventory to determine the amount of insurance required to cover your personal belongings in case of a covered incident. You should have a high enough limit to cover the replacement of all personal belongings. You may also realize you need additional coverage if you have high-value items like artwork or jewelry.
• Makes it easier to file a claim—When disasters occur, it can be challenging to remember the contents of every cabinet and closet, and a home inventory can help. A home inventory can assist in making it easier to list what items have been damaged or destroyed and ensure you are appropriately compensated for those belongings.
• Provides proof of financial losses for tax purposes or financial assistance applications—An organized home inventory can help determine whether you qualify for a tax break or disaster assistance following a catastrophe.

How Can You Create a Good Home Inventory?

A home inventory should contain the following information about each item:

• A thorough description
• Estimated value
• Purchase date
• Receipts

You may also want to consider creating a digital home inventory that includes photos and videos of the items and where they are kept in your home. The more detailed your home inventory is, the more useful it will be.

How Often Should You Update Your Home Inventory?

You should consider updating your home inventory annually, but it is essential to make updates when acquiring valuable items. Such items could include computers, TVs, artwork, jewelry, musical instruments, furniture and antiques. An outdated home inventory will not be helpful if an unexpected incident occurs.

Home Insurance in Stuart, FL

Contact Wiglesworth-Rindom Insurance Agency to learn more about our home insurance coverage and to speak to an insurance agent today. We make coverage recommendations based on your home inventory.

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.