Tips on Creating a Home Inventory Checklist for Insurance

By the Mercury Team

A home inventory is one of the simplest yet most powerful tools you can have when it comes to protecting your personal belongings. It helps you keep track of what you own, how much it’s worth, and makes insurance claims faster, smoother, and more accurate. Let’s walk through what a home inventory is, why it matters, what to include, and how to create one using tools that fit your lifestyle.

What Is a Home Inventory and Why Do You Need One?

A home inventory is a detailed list of your personal belongings, such as furniture, electronics, appliances, jewelry, and décor. It usually includes a short description of each item, its value, when you bought it, and any important details like model numbers or receipts. Some people also take photos or videos to make the list even more helpful.

You might ask yourself: Do I need a home inventory for insurance? It’s not mandatory, but it’s highly recommended. A home inventory greatly improves your experience when filing a claim under your homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy.

Here are a few common situations where having a home inventory can come in handy:

Situation	How a Home Inventory Helps
After a covered loss (e.g., fire, theft, water damage)	Speeds up your claim and proves the value of your lost items
Choosing your insurance coverage	Helps accurately calculate the value of your belongings and spot any coverage gaps
Talking with your insurance agent	Helps tailor your policy and recommend endorsements for high‑value items
Applying for aid or tax breaks	Provides documentation for financial or government assistance

What Should Be Included in a Home Inventory?

When creating your household items list, include anything you’d want to replace if it were damaged, lost, or stolen. That means more than just big-ticket items. Everyday essentials like curtains, pots and pans, books, and spare bedding can add up quickly, so include them, too.

Organize your list by room or category to keep things simple. Here are some key groups to consider:

Category	Examples
Electronics	TVs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, cameras
Appliances	Refrigerator, washer/dryer, microwave, coffee maker, vacuum
Furniture	Sofas, beds, tables, chairs, dressers, bookshelves
Jewelry and Valuables	Engagement rings, watches, heirlooms, collectibles, artwork
Clothing and Accessories	Designer clothes, coats, shoes, handbags, belts
Tools and Equipment	Power tools, lawnmower, snow blower, drills, toolboxes
Home Essentials	Cookware, curtains, rugs, linens, dishes, lamps
Hobbies and Sports Gear	Musical instruments, golf clubs, bicycles, fitness equipment, camping gear

When possible, include these details for each item to help expedite your renters or homeowners insurance claims:

• Item name and brief description
• Brand, model, and serial number (if applicable)
• Estimated value or purchase price
• Proof of ownership (receipt, photo, video)
• Any relevant documentation (warranty, appraisal, etc.)

Need help getting started? Download our home inventory checklist.

How to Start Your Home Inventory: Step-by-Step

Starting a home inventory is manageable if you break it down into simple steps. Here’s a clear path to help you get going:

Step 1: Choose Your Inventory Method

Pick the format that works best for you:

• Spreadsheet: Great for customizing columns like item name, value, and location
• Home inventory apps: Many offer photo storage, cloud backup, and reminders (e.g., Sortly, Nest Egg, Encircle)
• Pen and paper: Totally fine if you prefer to keep it low-tech, but just be sure to store it somewhere safe

Step 2: Walk Through Your Home, One Room at a Time

Go room by room to keep things organized and avoid missing anything. Start with easy areas like the living room or bedroom, and make note of both large and small items. Don’t forget closets, storage spaces, and garages.

Step 3: Take Photos or Videos

Take clear, well-lit photos of each item. Even better, shoot a quick video walkthrough while narrating what’s in each room. This is especially useful for showing groups of smaller items, like kitchenware or books.

Step 4: Add Details

For each item, try to include these details to help support and prove ownership:

• Brand, model, and serial number (if available)
• Estimated value or purchase price
• Date of purchase
• Receipts, warranties, or appraisals (if you have them)

Step 5: Save and Back Up Your Inventory

Once you’ve created your inventory, make sure to store it securely:

• Digital files: Save to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud) or a USB flash drive
• Printed copies: Keep one in a fireproof safe and share a copy with a trusted friend or your insurance agent

Best Tools and Apps for Home Inventory

Plenty of tools can make the process faster and more organized. Here are a few apps that can help with home inventory management:

• Sortly: User-friendly with folders, photos, value tracking, and cloud sync
• Encircle: Ideal for insurance documentation with photo capture, notes, and export options
• Nest Egg: Great for iOS users; tracks items, warranties, and serial numbers
• Memento Database: Highly customizable for detailed inventory tracking

Not into apps? A simple Excel or Google Sheets spreadsheet also works great, especially if you want full control over how your data is organized.

Manual vs. Digital: What’s Better?

Digital tools offer better protection and flexibility, especially if you need to file a claim quickly. But if paper works better for you, it’s still better than having nothing at all. Here’s a quick glance at the pros and cons of each option:

Method	Pros	Cons
Digital (apps and spreadsheets)	Easy to update, cloud backup, searchable, photo-friendly	May require setup time or a learning curve
Manual (notebook/paper list)	Simple, no tech required, budget-friendly	Easy to lose or damage, hard to update

What’s the easiest way to create a home inventory? The easiest way is to use your phone to take a video walkthrough of your home and describe items as you go. It’s quick, intuitive, and gives you a visual record you can reference or share with your insurer.

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Tips for Keeping Your Inventory Updated

A home inventory is a living document, and you need to update it regularly to make sure it’s still accurate. Here’s when you should update your inventory:

• After a big purchase: Bought a new TV, appliance, computer, or piece of jewelry? Add it right away while the details (and receipt) are still handy.
• Once a year: Set a calendar reminder to review and refresh your inventory annually. This is a good time to ensure that everything is still accurate.
• After a move or renovation: Moving to a new home or remodeling often changes what you own and how it’s insured. Update your inventory to reflect your new setup.
• When you receive gifts or inherit valuables: Special items like heirlooms or expensive gifts should be documented just like anything else.

Wrapping Up: Why a Home Inventory for Insurance Matters

A home inventory makes filing an insurance claim faster and easier. With everything documented like photos, values, and receipts, you’ll get through the process quicker and get reimbursed more accurately.

Mercury Insurance is here to support you through every step of the claims process. Your home inventory helps us ensure a smooth, fair, and stress-free recovery. Reach out to us today to secure cheap home insurance without sacrificing quality coverage.

Contact us today for a fast, free quote!