A 9-Step Guide to Creating a Home Inventory for Storm Insurance Claims

1/3/2024 (Permalink)

This home inventory guide helps you make the process of storm insurance claims easier and more efficient.

Storms can strike without a moment’s notice, leaving behind damaged property, shattered belongings, and a sense of loss. A complete home inventory can be a game-changer when it comes to making insurance claims. Simplifying this seemingly daunting task, we offer a comprehensive 9-step guide to preparing a home inventory for storm insurance claims.

1. Don’t Wait for the Storm

Begin by committing to the process. Completing a home inventory may not be the most exciting task, but having one when a storm hits can significantly lessen the headache of insurance claims.

2. Room by Room Approach

Break the task down room by room. Cataloging your possessions will become a lot more manageable, and most importantly, ensuring nothing gets overlooked.

3. Describe Each Item

For each item, jot down a description, its purchase date, value, and location in your home. Include model/serial numbers for electronics and appliances.

4. Back it up with Proof

Wherever possible, include supporting documents like sales receipts, purchase contracts, and appraisals with your inventory.

5. Snap Away

Take photographs of your possessions. Close-ups of unique or valuable objects help demonstrate their quality and condition.

6. Video Footage

An easy and efficient way to document your belongings is to take a walking tour of your house while videoing and describing the contents.

7: Update

It's crucial to keep your home inventory updated. Add new acquisitions straight away and remove items that you no longer own.

8. Secure Your Inventory

Store a physical copy of your inventory outside of your home and a digital copy in a secure cloud storage. This ensures your inventory will not be lost even if your property is severely damaged.

9. Share With Your Insurance Agent

Share your home inventory with your insurance agent. This not only accelerates the claim process but also helps ensure you have adequate coverage for your possessions.

At SERVPRO of Shrewsbury/Westborough, your disaster recovery journey is our mission, but we believe in empowering homeowners to be prepared even before disaster strikes. This home inventory guide helps you be a step ahead in the face of adversity and makes the process of storm insurance claims easier and more efficient. For professional cleanup and restoration after a storm, remember that our SERVPRO® team is just a phone call away. We restore not just homes, but peace of mind.