Why keep an inventory of your personal and household possessions?

If you have a loss, your insurance carrier will ask you to furnish a complete list of the items that you lost and their values.

Don’t rely on your memory. In times of stress you will find it a poor substitute for a pre-completed inventory. Items tucked away in drawers, boxes and storage cabinets – items that could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars – are often forgotten.

What’s more, studies show that most people possess more than they think, and in many cases are grossly underinsured. A household inventory will help you determine how much insurance you need to protect against serious financial loss.

Prepare a list of your personal and household property. Keep it up-to-date and in a safe place. The information will be invaluable if you have a loss.

You may also want to videotape your home, room by room, as a reminder and record of your possessions.