As a homeowner, you’ve likely invested a significant amount of time and money into furnishing and decorating your home with items that are important to you. Unfortunately, unexpected events like natural disasters or burglaries can result in the loss or damage of these belongings.

That’s why it’s important to create a home inventory to document everything you own. This can help ensure that you’re properly insured and can help speed up the recovery process if the worst were to happen. Here’s how to construct a home inventory.

First, gather your supplies. You’ll need a camera, a notebook, and a computer or storage device to keep track of your inventory.

Next, start in one room of your house and systematically go through all your belongings, one item at a time, focusing on the more expensive items. Take a photo of each item and make a note of its make and model, serial number (if applicable), and the date and location of purchase. Don’t forget to include the purchase price or current value of the item as well.

If you’re using video, the image and description are on one medium. It’s helpful to have someone assist so that one person can shoot the video while the other is holding the object and describing it.

It’s important to be as detailed as possible when creating your inventory. This means opening drawers, cabinets, and closets to take photos of everything inside. Be sure to also take photos of any valuable items that may not be stored in your home, such as jewelry or collectibles.

Once you’ve completed your inventory, make sure to store it in a safe place. This could be a secure digital file, or a physical copy kept in a safe or off-site location.

Having a home inventory can make the claims process easier and less stressful. It can also help ensure that you’re properly insured and can help you recover quickly from a loss. In the case of theft or burglary, this kind of detailed report can be helpful to the police in recovering your property. So, take the time to create a home inventory and protect your belongings today.

Download a Home Inventory to help you with the process.