How to Create a Home Inventory for Insurance and Disaster Recovery

Use a room-by-room method

• Start at one doorway and move around the room in a consistent direction.
• Take a wide video or photographs, then capture higher-value items, labels, model numbers and serial numbers.
• Include closets, basements, garages, sheds, storage lockers and seasonal-property contents.

Record useful details

• Item description and approximate purchase date
• Brand, model and serial number
• Receipt, invoice or order confirmation when available
• Estimated replacement value and any professional appraisal
• Photograph showing condition and location
• Policy schedule or endorsement for jewellery, art, collections or specialized equipment

Store copies safely

• Keep the main copy in secure cloud storage or another location that would not be affected by the same event.
• Protect sensitive personal and financial information with strong account security.
• Update the inventory after major purchases, renovations, moves and at least once each year.

After a loss

• Preserve the pre-loss inventory and create a separate loss list rather than overwriting the original record.
• Photograph damaged items before moving or discarding them where safe.
• Ask the insurer which proof of ownership, valuation and disposal records it requires.

Water damage insurance claim guide

Smoke damage claim documentation

Restoration documentation