The 5 Important Steps for Taking Inventory for Your Insurance Claim

When disaster strikes your home, having a detailed inventory of your belongings can mean the difference between getting fairly compensated and losing thousands of dollars. Most homeowners don't realize how much their personal property is worth until they try to replace everything after a fire, flood, or storm. Creating a proper inventory helps you prove what you owned and gets you the money you deserve from your insurance company.

Get Every Dollar You Deserve: 5 Steps to Perfect Home Inventory

Most people have no idea how much their stuff is really worth until they lose it all. Insurance companies need detailed proof of what you owned before they pay for your belongings. Without good records, you might only get paid for half of what your things were actually worth. These five simple steps help you create the perfect inventory that gets you full payment.

Step #1: List All Your Items with Details

Write Down Everything You Own

Make a detailed list of everything in your home, room by room. Don't just write "TV"—write "55-inch Samsung Smart TV, model UN55TU8000." Include the brand name, model number, and size for everything. Write down when you bought each item and how much you paid for it.

Start with the most valuable items first like electronics, appliances, furniture, and jewelry. Then list smaller items like clothes, books, and kitchen items. Even cheap items add up fast—a closet full of clothes might be worth $5,000 or more. Insurance companies won't pay for items you can't prove you owned.

Keep your list organized by room so it's easy to use. Write down everything you can remember, even if you don't have receipts. Your memory of what you owned is better than having no list at all.

Step #2: Contact Global Patriot Adjusters for Professional Inventory Help

Get Expert Help Creating Your Perfect Inventory

Creating a complete inventory can feel overwhelming, especially after damage has already happened. Our team at Global Patriot Adjusters helps homeowners create professional inventories that insurance companies respect and can't dispute.

We know exactly what details insurance companies need and how to document everything properly. Our licensed adjusters help you remember items you might forget and make sure your inventory includes everything needed for maximum compensation. We also help you figure out the current replacement value of your belongings.

Call Global Patriot Adjusters Now: Call 1-800-654-3041

Don't let insurance companies pay you less because your inventory isn't complete. Our inventory specialists help you document everything properly and get every dollar you deserve. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we get you a settlement. Call now for professional inventory help.

We've helped homeowners discover they had much more valuable belongings than they realized. One family thought their contents were worth $50,000 but our professional inventory revealed over $150,000 in personal property. Professional help makes sure you don't leave money on the table.

Step #3: Take Photos and Videos of Everything

Pictures Prove What You Owned

Take clear photos of all your belongings, especially expensive items. For electronics, take pictures showing the brand name and model number. For furniture, take photos from different angles showing the style and condition. Make sure your photos are clear and bright so insurance adjusters can see all the details.

Video walkthroughs work great for showing lots of items quickly. Walk through each room with your phone, talking about what you're showing. Open closets, drawers, and cabinets to show everything inside. Don't forget areas like the garage, basement, and attic where you might store valuable items.

Take photos of serial numbers on electronics and appliances—these prove exactly what model you owned. If damage already happened, take before and after photos if you have any old pictures. Even photos from social media or family pictures can help prove what you owned.

Step #4: Keep Receipts and Proof of Value

Save Your Receipts and Important Papers

Keep receipts for expensive items like electronics, appliances, jewelry, and furniture. Store them in a safe place or scan them to keep digital copies. If you don't have receipts, keep credit card statements that show when and where you bought items.

For very valuable items like jewelry, art, or antiques, get professional appraisals that show their current value. Insurance companies often require appraisals for items worth more than $2,500. Keep warranty papers and instruction manuals too—these help prove what you owned.

Update your records when you buy new expensive items. Take a photo of the receipt and the item together so you have proof of purchase. Store copies of important papers in a safe deposit box or cloud storage so they don't get destroyed in the same disaster that damages your home.

Step #5: Update Your Inventory Regularly

Keep Your List Current

Your inventory is only helpful if it's up to date. Add new items when you buy them and remove items when you sell them or throw them away. Update your inventory at least once a year, maybe when you do spring cleaning or pay your insurance premium.

Take new photos when you redecorate or buy new furniture. As items get older, their value changes, so update the estimated values periodically. When you make big purchases like new appliances or electronics, add them to your inventory right away.

Share your inventory with family members so they know what to look for if something happens to your home. Keep copies in multiple places—on your computer, in cloud storage, and maybe a printed copy in a safe deposit box.

Step #6: Work with a Public Adjuster to Verify Completeness

Make Sure You Don't Miss Anything Important

Even with careful planning, most homeowners miss valuable items when creating inventories on their own. Public adjusters know all the items that people commonly forget and can help you create a complete list that gets maximum compensation.

We help verify that your values are accurate based on current replacement costs. We also know which items insurance companies often try to undervalue and make sure you get fair compensation. Our experience with thousands of claims helps us spot missing items that could cost you thousands of dollars.

Global Patriot Adjusters reviews your inventory to make sure it meets insurance company requirements and includes all necessary details. We help you organize everything properly and present it in a way that gets the best results from your insurance company.

Get Every Dollar You Deserve

A good inventory is your best protection against getting underpaid by insurance companies. By listing everything with details, getting professional help, taking lots of photos, keeping receipts, updating regularly, and working with experts, you make sure you get full compensation for your losses.

Don't wait until disaster strikes to create your inventory. Start today while you can take your time and do it right. If damage has already happened, contact Global Patriot Adjusters immediately for professional help creating the inventory that gets you maximum compensation. Call 1-800-654-3041