The Mitch guide for an ultimate home inventory 

This year is Canada’s costliest on record for weather disasters. With properties damaged and destroyed, many people have been left to pick up the pieces. Luckily, insurance is there for us during times of need. 

Included in your home insurance, contents insurance, protects your personal belongings in case of a disaster. The catastrophic weather events of 2024 have caused many homeowners to file claims for damaged or destroyed furniture, appliances, and other possessions. However, not enough policyholders realize that having a home inventory before making a claim can not only speed up the settlement process but may also be crucial to securing your payout. Here’s our tips for creating a home inventory list. 

A home inventory is a detailed list of all your belongings. For insurance, it helps to expedite the claims process after your property has been stolen, damaged or destroyed because you have an easy way to show that you owned the items, what their condition was before the incident, and in some cases you can even prove their value. Your inventory list should include all your possessions, plus photos/videos and any receipts or warranties that might support proof of ownership. 

It can be challenging to remember all of the items you owned after a disaster like a fire. Having a list prepared in advance so you can simply check off what’s missing or damaged is a lot easier.  

Creating a home inventory is fairly straightforward, but if you own a larger property with a lot of belongings then you might want to set aside a few hours on the weekend to do it. Combing through all your earthly possessions, photographing them, and finding proof of purchase isn’t really something you can do on a 15-minute break. 

Luckily, there’s tons of tools nowadays that exist to help simplify the process. Check out the following digital apps for support when making your inventory: 

Once you’re ready to begin and have set aside the time to start your inventory, follow these tips: 

Depending on the size of your home, the task of doing an inventory can feel overwhelming, to say the least. Start with a walkthrough. This will help you decide where to begin. You might want to tackle the kitchen first, since this is usually where you’ll have a lot of appliances. Once you’ve captured all the belongings in one room, you can move to the next. 

When creating your inventory, make sure to do more than just list item names. Provide measurements of appliances, where they were originally purchased, the make/model (if applicable), and what you paid for the item. It’s best to have receipts or warranties for this step, but you may also have to make do with what you have on-hand.  

Make sure to also include all items kept in your basement, attic, garages, or any detached structures you have. If you keep any items in self-storage, you should list them as well as they will be covered under your home or tenant insurance policy.  

Use your cell phone to take photos and videos as you do your walkthrough. If you record videos, make sure to describe the contents, including purchase date and brands. The apps mentioned earlier in this guide can also help to create a more in-depth list.  

A professional appraiser’s job is to assess the value of your belongings (and home). This can help you create a more in-depth inventory list and ensure you’ve left nothing out. You can include the appraiser’s notes in any future claims to show proof of ownership and the value of the items. 

Something to keep in mind for whenever you make a big purchase is to always keep the receipts, warranties, instruction manuals—anything that can serve as proof of purchase when needed.  

Not only will these help with your inventory, but it can also be handy when drawing up a budget or if you ever want to sell any of your belongings through Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, etc. 

Some insurance providers have content inventory aids or checklists you can use to go through your belongings.  

When filing a claim, make sure to complete and submit these aids or templates. If your insurer doesn’t offer these resources, you can submit your own homemade inventory list. Some insurance companies will also allow you to make adjustments or additions to your inventory after submission. 

Inventories may also be submitted when applying for a policy, as they can help you (and your provider) to gain a clearer idea of how much coverage you need to protect all your belongings. 

Although an inventory isn’t always necessary when filing a claim or applying for a policy, it’s one of the best ways to ensure your swift and fair settlement and to secure enough coverage for your needs. Talk with a broker if you have more questions about home inventories or need help on starting yours!