Home Inventory for Insurance: Complete Guide

Most homeowners are significantly underinsured—and don't realize it until disaster strikes. A proper home inventory is your best protection against coming up short on an insurance claim.

Why Your Home Inventory Matters

After a fire, flood, or theft, you'll need to prove what you owned and its value. Without documentation, you're relying on memory and your insurance company's discretion. That's not a position you want to be in.

A good home inventory:

• Speeds up claims — Documentation means faster processing
• Maximizes payouts — You'll remember items you'd otherwise forget
• Reduces stress — One less thing to worry about during a crisis
• Helps set coverage — Know if you need additional insurance

What to Document

High-Value Items (Document First)

• Electronics (TVs, computers, phones, tablets)
• Appliances (refrigerator, washer, dryer, dishwasher)
• Furniture (especially antiques or designer pieces)
• Jewelry and watches
• Art and collectibles
• Musical instruments
• Tools and equipment
• Sporting goods (bikes, golf clubs, etc.)

Everything Else

• Clothing (estimate total value by category)
• Books, media, games
• Kitchen items (small appliances, cookware)
• Linens and towels
• Decorations and holiday items
• Garage and outdoor items

How to Document Each Item

For each item, record:

1. Photos — Multiple angles, close-ups of serial numbers/labels
2. Description — Brand, model, color, size
3. Serial number — For electronics and appliances
4. Purchase information — Date, price, where purchased
5. Current value — What it would cost to replace today
6. Receipts/documentation — Attach digital copies

The Best Approach: Use an App

While you can create a home inventory with spreadsheets and a camera, purpose-built apps make the process dramatically faster and more reliable.

Dib is our top recommendation for insurance-ready home inventories because:

• AI scanning — Take a photo and Dib identifies items automatically
• Document extraction — Upload receipts, and Dib pulls the important data
• Cloud storage — Your inventory survives even if your home doesn't
• Export reports — Generate insurance-ready documentation instantly

Room-by-Room Checklist

Living Room

• TV and entertainment equipment
• Furniture (sofa, chairs, tables)
• Rugs and window treatments
• Art and decorations
• Books and media

Kitchen

• Major appliances
• Small appliances
• Cookware and dishes
• Specialty items (stand mixer, espresso machine)

Bedrooms

• Furniture (bed, dressers, nightstands)
• Electronics
• Clothing (estimate total value)
• Jewelry (photograph and appraise valuable items)

Home Office

• Computer equipment
• Furniture
• Peripherals and accessories

Garage/Storage

• Tools and equipment
• Lawn and garden equipment
• Sporting goods
• Seasonal items

Pro Tips for Maximum Protection

1. Video walkthrough — Record a video tour narrating what you own
2. Open drawers and closets — Don't forget what's hidden
3. Save receipts digitally — Snap photos of receipts immediately after purchase
4. Update after purchases — Add new items within a week of buying
5. Annual audit — Review and update your inventory yearly
6. Appraise valuables — Get professional appraisals for jewelry, art, and collectibles

Frequently Asked Questions

Next Steps

Don't wait until you need your home inventory—start today. Even a partial inventory is better than none, and apps like Dib make it easy to build over time.

1. Start with high-value items — Focus on what matters most first
2. Use an app — Don't rely on spreadsheets that can be lost
3. Set reminders — Schedule regular updates
4. Review your insurance — Make sure your coverage matches your inventory