If you ever have to file a property insurance claim due to fire, hurricane, tornado or flood, you will need to provide a detailed list to the insurance company of all items that were lost or damaged. For a major hurricane that completely destroys your home, this means providing a detailed list of every item you own. This can be a daunting task, even under the best of circumstances. You can be prepared now, for whatever and whenever unexpected property damage occurs, by cataloging your home inventory.
This article will review three ways that homeowners can keep track of their personal property should damage occur due to a natural disaster or other insured event covered by property insurance. No matter which way you choose, update your inventory regularly and include photos and receipts when possible.
Method 1: Take Photos and Video
Taking photos and videos prior to hurricane season is a great place to get started. Most phones and cameras now have time stamps with the date embedded into the photos and videos. This is an important feature because you will need to prove that your property and its belongings were not damaged prior to the insured event, should you have property damage and need to file an insurance claim.
Other tips when photographing or recording your property and the belongings inside of it:
- Be sure to back up your photos to at least one online source and one offline hard drive.
- Take pictures of receipts to add to your photo cataloging system. It is a good idea to save them in a receipts folder in a “Home Photos” section on your phone.
Method 2: Track Home Inventory with Excel
An Excel spreadsheet can be used to track your home inventory. Your Excel spreadsheet should include:
- Name of each item.
- Price paid for item.
- Date purchased.
- Picture of each item.
- Tabs that divide your house by room.
Pros: Easy to send if the time should arise.
Cons: Pictures will either need to be linked to your spreadsheet from a public drive, such as DropBox or Google Drive, or copied and pasted into the document next to the description.
Method 3: Download a Home Inventory App
Here are four apps to give a try.
List Master – Your List
App store rating: 4.5 Stars
$ Price: Free version is limited to 50 items. Can upgrade to the pro version from within the app for $9.99.
System availability: iOS
Description: With List Master you have the ability to design your own layout with columns, rows, date, time, text, ratings and more. With this customization, you have a personalized way to organize the items in your home that best suits your cataloging preference.
Fast Lists
App store rating: 4.7 Stars
$ Price: Free versions is limited to 100 items. In-app purchase for additional items starting at $4.99.
System availability: iOS
Description: With the option to create a list inside of a list, Fast List gives you a multi-layer ability for you to seamlessly add each item you own, dividing categories by room. Tick off items from your list, reorder list as needed, email list, and more. The email function makes it easy to share your list with a public adjuster, like CORE Public Adjusters, should you need to file an insurance claim.
Home Contents
App store rating: 4.7 Stars
$ Price: The free download is limited to 25 items and 1 property. A one-time in-app purchase unlocks everything for $4.99.
System availability: iOS
Description: With Home Contents your data is stored on your device or in your private iCloud storage. This app stands out for home cataloging due to its feature to take a picture and capture the contents of an entire room within minutes. It also gives you the ability to add receipts after you finish taking your pictures.
Home Inventory
App store rating: 4.8 Stars
$ Price: Free
System availability: iOS, Google Play
Description: Everything can be tracked in your home with this app. With the ability to add receipts, images, set reminders, and categorize exactly to your liking, the Home Inventory app will help you keep track of everything you own in one place. Another nice feature of the Home Inventory app is the search capability within the app, making for quick access to your specific notes. The ability to add warranties for home items of all of your belongings prior to hurricane season is also a great asset for home cataloging.
It only takes a few steps to start protecting your home, today, for the future.
Whether you decide to move forward with all three options or start with just one, you are headed in the right direction in being prepared for the potential of any home damage that also impacts your personal belongings.
Questions about the best way to prepare for this hurricane season? Looking for more information on how CORE Public Adjusters can help you? Give us a call at 877-411-2673.
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