A home inventory is a record of everything you own, with photos, rough values and receipts where you have them. For renters it takes about an hour, and it can make an insurance claim faster, easier and more complete after a fire, theft or leak.
Why a home inventory matters
- Faster claims: you can list what you lost without trying to remember everything in a crisis.
- Bigger, fairer payouts: people forget items when listing from memory.
- The right amount of coverage: totaling your inventory tells you how much personal property coverage to buy. How much you need.
- Fewer disputes: proof of ownership and value helps avoid denials. If a claim is denied.
The fastest method: a video walkthrough
- Record each room slowly, narrating what you see.
- Open closets, drawers and cabinets.
- Zoom in on brand names, model numbers and serial numbers of electronics and appliances.
- Photograph receipts for bigger purchases, or save order emails into one folder.
- Upload everything to cloud storage so it survives a fire or theft.
- Update it once a year and after big purchases.
Room-by-room checklist
Use this list to make sure nothing gets missed. You can print this page.
Living room
- ☐ Sofa, chairs, coffee table
- ☐ TV, streaming devices, speakers, gaming consoles
- ☐ Rugs, lamps, curtains
- ☐ Shelves, books, decor, artwork
- ☐ Plants and planters
Bedroom
- ☐ Bed frame, mattress, bedding
- ☐ Dresser, nightstands, mirror
- ☐ Clothing, shoes, coats
- ☐ Jewelry and watches (photograph each piece)
- ☐ Bags, accessories
Kitchen and dining
- ☐ Table and chairs
- ☐ Cookware, knives, utensils
- ☐ Dishes, glassware
- ☐ Small appliances: microwave, coffee maker, blender
- ☐ Pantry and freezer contents
Home office and electronics
- ☐ Laptop, monitor, printer (record serial numbers)
- ☐ Phone, tablet, headphones, cameras
- ☐ Desk and chair
- ☐ Chargers, cables, hard drives
Bathroom and closets
- ☐ Towels, linens
- ☐ Toiletries, hair tools
- ☐ Vacuum, cleaning supplies
- ☐ Luggage
Everything else
- ☐ Bike, sports and fitness gear
- ☐ Musical instruments
- ☐ Tools
- ☐ Hobby and craft supplies
- ☐ Items in storage units or your car
What to record for each item
| Detail | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Description and brand | Identifies the item and a comparable replacement |
| Model and serial number | Proves ownership; helps police recover stolen items |
| Approximate purchase date and price | Needed for actual cash value and replacement cost calculations |
| Photo or video | Shows condition and ownership |
| Receipt or order email | Strongest proof of value |
Valuables need extra care
Jewelry, watches, cameras and collectibles often have special limits. Keep appraisals with your inventory and consider scheduling high-value items. Jewelry coverage explained.
Keep it with your policy
Store your inventory next to your policy’s declarations page in the cloud, so you have both if you ever need to file a claim. What a declarations page is.
New to this? Start with What is renters insurance?
This site offers general information, not insurance or legal advice. Coverage, prices and rules vary by insurer, policy and state, so always read your own policy and ask your insurer or agent about your situation.