Home Inventory Checklist

If your home were damaged tomorrow, could you list everything you owned? Most people remember the big items and forget hundreds of smaller ones. A home inventory is a simple record of your belongings, and it can make a personal property claim faster and more complete. It also helps you judge whether your coverage limit is realistic.

You do not have to finish in one day. Work through one room per weekend and the job is done in about a month.

Before you start

• Choose a format — a spreadsheet, a notes app, a dedicated inventory app, or a simple notebook all work.
• Plan for storage — keep a copy somewhere other than your home, such as cloud storage or with a trusted relative.
• Charge your phone — video walkthroughs are one of the fastest ways to capture a room.
• Gather receipts you already have — digital order histories from online stores are a goldmine.

What to record for each item

• Description — what it is, with brand and model where possible.
• Serial number — especially for electronics and appliances.
• Approximate purchase date and price — estimates are better than nothing.
• Photo or video — show the item and, for valuables, any labels or markings.
• Receipt or appraisal — attach or note where it is stored.

Living room and family room

• Televisions, speakers, gaming consoles, and streaming devices.
• Sofas, chairs, tables, and shelving.
• Rugs, lamps, curtains, and artwork.
• Books, media collections, and board games — a photo of each shelf helps.

Kitchen and dining

• Major appliances — refrigerator, range, dishwasher, microwave (note which are built in, since those may fall under dwelling coverage).
• Small appliances — mixers, coffee makers, blenders, air fryers.
• Cookware, dishes, glassware, and utensils — open cabinets and photograph the contents.
• Dining furniture and any china or silver sets.

Bedrooms

• Beds, mattresses, dressers, and nightstands.
• Clothing and shoes — photograph closets; note higher-value pieces separately.
• Jewelry and watches — close-up photos and any appraisals.
• Children’s furniture, toys, and electronics.

Home office

• Computers, monitors, printers, and tablets — include serial numbers.
• Desk, chair, and storage.
• Work equipment — ask your insurer whether business property is covered at home, since limits are often low.

Bathrooms and laundry

• Washer and dryer.
• Hair tools, grooming devices, and linens.
• Medical equipment you own.

Garage, basement, and storage

• Tools and power equipment.
• Lawn mower, snow blower, and yard equipment.
• Bicycles, sports gear, and camping equipment.
• Holiday decorations and stored items — label bins and photograph their contents.
• Freezer and any stored food, if your policy covers spoilage.

Outdoor areas

• Patio furniture and grills.
• Playsets and outdoor structures.
• Planters, lighting, and decor.

High-value items

• Jewelry, art, collectibles, and instruments — check your policy’s special limits for these categories.
• Appraisals — keep them current, since values change over time.
• Consider scheduling — ask your insurer about listing valuable items individually on a rider or floater.

Keep it current

• Update after big purchases — add new items within a few weeks.
• Review once a year — pair it with your policy renewal.
• Remove items you sold or donated.
• Compare your total to your personal property limit — if your inventory adds up to more, talk with your insurer about whether your limit fits.

After a loss

• Share the inventory with your adjuster — along with photos and receipts.
• Note damaged versus missing items.
• Keep damaged items until the adjuster says you can discard them.

General education only — not personalized insurance, legal, or financial advice. CoverFind is not an insurance agency and does not sell policies.