If all the personal belongings in your home were stolen or destroyed as the result of theft or disaster, would you be able to list them by memory? Most people would not likely be able to remember everything. Taking the time to document your personal possessions before an unexpected loss-event happens can help ensure you will be able to fully recover or replace them after. ServiceMaster Restore offers the following top reasons you should have a home inventory list, plus tips on how to create one.
TOP REASONS TO HAVE A HOUSEHOLD INVENTORY LIST
Unless you're properly prepared, dealing with the aftermath of an emergency or home disaster can be emotionally challenging and costly. The following are some key reasons to keep an updated and detailed household inventory list.
1. INSURANCE CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT
Remembering the details of all the personal possessions you've accumulated throughout the years can be difficult, especially if you're trying to recover from a devastating loss. Without an accurate description of each valuable item, your insurance company may not be able to compensate you for your losses.
A detailed list will also help you to determine how much insurance coverage you need prior to a loss-event, to ensure you have adequate insurance coverage for replacement value.
2. PROVIDES PEACE OF MIND
Should a disaster affect your home and property, your time and effort following the event will be focused on getting life back on track and having peace of mind again as soon as possible. Having a previously compiled up-to-date inventory list of all of your belongings will help minimize your stress at an already difficult time.
3. COMES IN HANDY FOR MANY SITUATIONS
An inventory list can be helpful and even indispensable in a variety of situations, including as an aid during moving or temporary relocation of your household; and for the purposes of filing taxes or estate planning. It is also a very important document to have on hand should you need to file an insurance claim due to theft, damage or disaster, because your list will include every important item you owned, plus its estimated value.
4. AIDS THE RECOVERY PROCESS
Following a disaster, financial assistance or tax break programs may be available to help you and your family recover. A comprehensive inventory list of your possessions, created prior to the loss, can help agencies determine if you qualify, because it can easily substantiate your financial losses.
HOW TO CREATE A HOME INVENTORY LIST
A household inventory list should include a detailed account of everything in your home, from the basement to the attic. Anything you've purchased should be included on the list. Developing a comprehensive inventory list might take time and effort, but the more precise you are, the more useful it can be when you may need it most. Here are some tips to help you build a home inventory list:
· Take all items inside and outside of your home into account.
· Walk through your home and write down each item's age, make, model, serial number and estimated value.
· Take photos or videos of your items to include with your written list.
· Keep receipts, purchase contracts and appraisals with your inventory list.
· Consider using an app or a document within a cloud-based system to store your inventory list.
· Make copies of your inventory list and back it up online or on an external drive.
· Keep your list updated as you purchase new items or get rid of old ones.
· Check your insurance coverage policy for high-price items, to see if they qualify for replacement.
Having a household inventory checklist helps prepare you for the worst. This way, if the unexpected does happen, you will be prepared to recover from loss or damages. While you work to get your household items replaced, let the professionals at ServiceMaster Restore help you restore or rebuild your property.
Getting your life back to normal after a disaster can seem overwhelming. There's a lot to get done, and it needs to happen quickly. At ServiceMaster Restore, we pride ourselves on going above and beyond standard restoration services to address any special circumstances that impact your home. No matter the challenge, we are ready to help you 24/7, every day of the year.