Home
Inventory
Checklist
Published by the
Texas Department of Insurance
May 2016
1-800-252-2439
tdi.texas.gov
cb086.0516
Keeping an inventory of the items in your house
can be helpful if you have an insurance claim.
Preparing a list before something happens is easier
than trying to write a list from memory later. A
detailed inventory can also speed up the claims
process and help prove tax-deductible, uninsured
losses.
Tips for making your home inventory:
Make your inventory as complete as possible.
Your insurance company will require a
detailed list of your personal property before
paying your claim.
List purchase dates, values, serial numbers,
and brand names, if possible. Keep receipts
for expensive items.
Keep a detailed inventory of your clothing
and accessories, including shoes and jewelry.
Attach extra sheets to your inventory if you
need to make longer lists.
Take pictures and video of each room in
your house. Don’t forget closets, drawers,
storage buildings, the attic, and the garage.
Label the pictures and video with the date.
Keep your inventory, pictures and video,
a copy of your insurance policy, and any
appraisal reports in a secure spot. Keep a
copy in a secure place away from your house,
such as in a safe deposit box, at work, or at
the house of a friend or relative.
Save your pictures, videos, and any
documents on a computer. It might be a
good idea to email them to yourself so you
can access them wherever you can log onto
a computer. Also consider storing these in a
cloud-based storage account.
Review your policy’s personal property
coverage limit annually, and be sure the limits
are high enough to cover the items on your
home inventory. Personal property coverage
pays if the items in your house (such as
furniture, clothing, and appliances) are
damaged, destroyed, or stolen.
Homeowners policies usually offer limited
coverage on certain personal property, such
as jewelry and furs. You may be able to buy
more coverage for an extra premium. Tell
your agent or company about any special
items you have that you’d like to insure.
ITEM PURCHASE DATE PRICE
LIVING ROOM
Sofa/couch
Loveseat
Chairs
Coffee table
End tables
Lamps
Area rugs
Curtains/drapes
Decorative items
FAMILY ROOM/DEN/OFFICE
Sofa/couch
Loveseat
Chairs
Coffee table
End tables
Entertainment center
Bookcases
Books
Desk/table
Computer chairs
Lamps
Area rugs
Curtains/drapes
Decorative items
DINING ROOM
Dining table
Chairs
China cabinet
Buffet
China/tableware
Crystal/glassware
Silverware
Area rugs
Decorative items
ITEM PURCHASE DATE PRICE
KITCHEN/LAUNDRY ROOM
Table
Chairs
Stove
Refrigerator
Dishwasher
Washer
Dryer
Microwave
Toaster
Can opener
Blender
Mixer
Coffee maker
Plates/dishes
Pots/pans
Cutlery
Utensils
Glassware
Area rugs
Decorative items
OTHER
Fireplace xtures
Books
CDs
Records
Cameras
Coin collection
Stamp collection
Memorabilia
Piano
Musical instruments
Sewing machine
Luggage
Holiday decorations
Toys
Games