Home Insurance and Home Inventory
Your guide on how to take an inventory of your belongings
Compare home insurance quotes from providers you trust
Freelance writer
What is a home inventory?
Home inventory is a list of the personal belongings in your house. Lists would include the item, its value, receipts, and a brief description of each item.
What are the benefits of having a home inventory?
The benefits of having a home inventory help you to choose the right amount of coverage you may need for your belongings. Also, having a record will help you retrieve losses simply by knowing what you own.
Insurers will see it as proof that you actually owned the items in your claim and it prepares you in case of any kind of loss, which can happen at a moment’s notice. Better to be prepared, just in case.
Not having an inventory will make it harder to prove your claims and you may also have forgotten about all your belongings if they’ve been tucked away for some time. A comprehensive list solves those problems and can act as an official record of your belongings.
What needs to be included in a home inventory?
Home inventories should include all hard copies and digital copies of item logs. Photos are also important to have a visual record of items as are videos. If possible, break down the items by room, include date of purchase and keep especially detailed records of high-ticket items.
One of the best ways to log items is by using spreadsheet software such as Excel.
Frequently asked questions about home inventories?
Why is a home inventory a good idea?
If a claim is necessary, a home inventory will provide proof to your insurance provider regarding the possessions you are making claims on. It will also act as a reminder to you in case you had forgotten about certain items.
It also helps you to determine the best insurance coverage you will need for your personal property.
When should I make a home inventory?
Home inventories can be made at any time. However, if upgrades are made to the house or expensive items are purchased, it would be wise to update your home inventory at that time.
When should I update my home inventory list?
It’s a good idea to take stock of your inventory list about once a year and make changes if necessary.
Do I need to submit a copy of my home inventory list to my insurance provider?
No. The list is for your personal records and to serve as an aid in the event you experience a covered loss of personal property. You’ll need it when you are filing a claim.
Joel Kranc, Freelance writer
Joel Kranc is a freelance writer and content provider who has worked with RATESDOTCA since 2019. He holds an MA in political science from the University of Toronto and a film certificate from New York University.
He has been published in and worked for such companies as CNN, Rogers Media, Institutional Investor Magazine, The Globe and Mail, Infrastructure Investor, BenefitsPRO Magazine, Global Finance Magazine, With Intelligence, the CPP Investment Board, Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan, and many more financial services and industry publications.
He is the author of "Retirement Planning in 8 Easy Steps," which, when released in 2015, was No. 11 on the Publisher's Weekly US Bestseller List for Business and Finance, beating out Mark Cuban's "How to Win at the Sport of Business."
Latest News Articles:
Ongoing rounds of tariffs may continue to strain homeowner's pockets - especially when it comes to home and auto insurance.
The Bank of Canada has cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points, lowering it to 2.75%, as it navigates ongoing trade tensions.
The Bank of Canada has cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points, lowering it to 3%, as it navigates trade tensions, inflationary concerns, and a cooling housing market.
With the overnight rate now at 3.25%, the housing market may be set to embark on a bumpy ride.
Could you pay your mortgage after a job loss? Here’s how to protect your ability to pay in a worst-case scenario.
Today the Bank of Canada cut its key interest rate by 50-basis points. Is today's double rate cut enough to incentivize buyers to re-enter the housing market? Let’s see what it means for the Canadian housing market.
