If someone asked you exactly what you have in your home right now, how much it cost and how much it would be to replace, what would you say? Perhaps you would mentally calculate the cost of the bigger items – computers, televisions, game consoles – then add a few thousand pounds on top. Or maybe you would whip out your inventory of belongings and impress with your in-depth knowledge and calculations as to the exact worth of your home contents. Unless you fit the second category, read on to find out how to take an inventory of your belongings that will make sure you are adequately covered in case of a fire or other such event.
Having an up-to-date home inventory is crucial in order to settle a claim quickly and with the least stress possible, also giving you the peace of mind that you are adequately covered in the first place. If you are moving to a new house, it makes sense to work on your inventory while you pack, listing everything you are packing in categories; for example, three pairs of trousers, two jumpers, four coats. Sort your inventory into rooms, then categorise the items within each room, so it’s easily searchable (for even greater searchability, a database would work beautifully). Record serial numbers of high value items, electrical items and appliances; this will make it easy to replace like-for-like in the event of a claim. Keep receipts when you purchase new items; these can be scanned in and stored online with your digital inventory, with the paper copies filed separately. Take photos of items of value, making it easier to identify them should you need to claim.
If you own high-value items, including watches, art, collectibles and jewellery, keep up to date on their values, which can vary. Make sure you inform your insurance company of these items separately, as they may need to be named on your policy to insure them in their own right.
If this all sounds a little overwhelming, you may prefer to record yourself taking an inventory, taking note of all the tips above. For ease of search, you could do a separate video for each room. And don’t forget to regularly update your inventory and save it in cloud-based software, making it easy to retrieve and use in the event of a claim.
And voila, an impressive inventory that ensures you are adequately covered, while offering you invaluable peace of mind.
