When you buy renters or homeowners insurance, tucking your policy into a file folder and into a drawer isn’t enough. You need to be ready with documentation of what’s in your home in case you need to make a claim. Having a list handy can help move your claim along more quickly so you can get the cash you need to rebuild.
The easiest way to get started without feeling overwhelmed by this task is to make a video for each room of your home. All you need is your smartphone. Go around the room, talking about what’s in it and any important features of those items. Open cabinet doors and record what’s inside. Open drawers and talk about what you see in there. Upload these videos to a cloud storage service that you can access from anywhere in the event you don’t have your phone or computer.
Then, write out a list of what you own in each room. Describe each item and include model numbers and/or serial numbers for electronics. Record when you purchased or received each item and how much it cost when you bought it. If you know what it would cost to buy a comparable replacement item, list that too (maybe you got a record player as a gift, but know that a new one from the same brand would cost you $300).
Review your list annually to make sure it’s up to date and make a new room-by-room video if needed. Beyond proof of your belongings, this process also helps to ensure that you have enough coverage based on the quantity and value of your belongings.