Presented by the Insurance Information
Institute and CBIZ
Taking Inventory
Should you ever need to report a burglary or file an insurance
claim... a household inventory could be a valuable document.
Why Take Inventory?
Try this test. Sit in your kitchen and make a list of
everything in you living room. No peeking!
Now-check on how many items you missed.
No one really expects to lose furniture or other belongings in a fire,
a burlgary or a tornado. But such events do occur. If disaster struck your
home, would you be able to report exactly what you lost to police, to the
IRS, or to your insurance company?
An up-to-date inventory of your household furnishings and personal
belongings can help to:
Determine the value of your belongings and your personal insurance needs.
Establish the purchase dates and costs of major items in case of a loss.
Identify exactly what was lost (most people can't recall items accumualted gradually).
Settle your insurance claim quickly and efficiently.
Verify losses for income tax deductions.
Start Right Away!
Use the forms in this report to get started on your inventory.
List major items in each room. Note serial numbers (usually found
on the bottom or the back of major appliances), purchase prices,
persent value and dates of purchase where possible. Attach any
available receipts.
Ask your insurance representative to assist you if you have
questions or concerns.
Remember-the more thorough your inventory, the more valuable it will
be in case of a loss.
To back up your written inventory, photograph each wall of each room
with closet or cabinet doors open. On the back of each picture, write the
date, the general location and contents shown.
Store your inventory and photographs in a safe place away from home.
Keep a copy of the inventory and negatives of the photographs at home
so that you can update your inventory from time to time.
Sample Inventory Forms
Print these forms out and use them to get started:
Living Room