Home inventory guide
How to make a home inventory for insurance
If you ever have to file a claim after a fire, flood or theft, a list of what you own — with photos and receipts — makes the process faster and far less stressful. Here's how to build one without it taking all weekend.
Why a home inventory for insurance matters
After a loss, you may be asked to list what you owned and what it was worth. A home inventory for insurance gives you that list ahead of time — with photos, serial numbers and receipts — so you aren't trying to remember everything from memory at the hardest moment.
1. Go room by room
Start with the rooms that hold the most value, usually the kitchen, living room and main bedroom. Finishing one room at a time keeps it manageable.
2. Record the details that matter
- What it is, brand and model.
- Serial number for appliances and electronics.
- Roughly when you bought it and what it cost.
- A photo of the item, plus its label or serial plate.
3. Keep the paperwork with it
Attach receipts, warranties and manuals to the item they belong to. Appraisals for jewellery, art or collectibles are especially worth keeping.
4. Don't forget the house itself
- Flooring, countertops, cabinets and fixtures.
- Paint colours and finishes.
- Major systems: furnace, water heater, roof, windows.
5. Store it somewhere safe and keep it current
Keep the inventory somewhere you can reach if the house isn't accessible, and add new purchases as you go so it never goes out of date.
Check your own policy for what your insurer needs. This guide is general information, not insurance advice.
Build your inventory in one place
Digital Home Manual organises your belongings by room, with photos, serial numbers, receipts and warranties attached — private, searchable and ready to share with your insurer when you need it.
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