Do you know exactly what’s in your home? Well, you probably have a good idea of the important items that you use every day, such as your couch or loveseat, your television, everything in the kitchen that you use to cook, and so on.
But what about the little things? Can you name everything in one of your kitchen drawers? What do you have stashed in the basement or in your bedroom closet? A home inventory includes all of these little things, and here are some of the benefits to creating one.
1) You Know Exactly What You Own
In order to create a home inventory, you need to go room by room and either write down, photograph, or create a video of everything in it. This involves opening drawers and cabinets and noting what’s in them. As a result, you end up with a list of everything that you own, which can help keep you from buying duplicates of things that you don’t need.
2) You Might Forget Things Should Something Happen
If you need to file an insurance claim and don’t have an inventory, what are the odds that you’ll remember everything that you owned? For example, if your kitchen catches fire, you’ll more than likely be able to remember that you had a stove, refrigerator, and cabinets, but what about the little things, like pots and pans? You may not remember exactly which ones you owned, which can prevent you from getting them replaced as they were.
3) Filing an Insurance Claim is Simpler and Faster
Insurance claims are easier to file when you have a home inventory on hand. You can simply give the inventory to your insurance agent, unless they already have a copy of it, and that information will make the claim faster to process. You’ll receive accurate reimbursement amounts based on what was damaged without having to quickly make a list on the spot. Everything will go much easier when you have a home inventory on hand.
4) You Might Need to Increase Your Coverage Amounts
When you purchase new items or come across a number of collectibles that need additional insurance riders, you can adjust your homeowner’s insurance accordingly. A home inventory that’s regularly updated can help ensure that you have all of the coverage that you need, just in case something happens. This makes plenty of sense because you’re more than likely buying new things on occasion.
5) Things Like Decluttering, Home Maintenance, and Moving Will be Easier
If you’ve ever moved, then you know how helpful a home inventory can be. It will help you determine how many boxes and types of packing material that you need. In addition, as you create your home inventory, you might come across things that you can get rid of, as well as items that need regular maintenance, like your appliances. The inventory can help you with all of these things and more, making one quite useful indeed.
Have Questions? Contact Charlotte Insurance
Wondering how to create a home inventory for insurance purposes? Contact Charlotte Insurance. Our agents can explore and explain how to put one together while also exploring your current coverage to ensure all your assets are protected.