| Every home needs a home inventory updated at | | | | cameras to go around the house recording what |
| least once a year. Homeowners who live in | | | | each room looks like at a certain time and date. |
| hurricane stricken areas like Florida, coastal regions | | | | This is a great way to get a live action shot of |
| of Alabama or Louisiana and Texas are used to | | | | what the material items look like at present and |
| putting together a home inventory on a regular | | | | can easily be handed over to an insurance |
| basis, but for those homeowners who live in the | | | | company.A few tips to keep in mind when |
| Midwest or in regions of the country without | | | | creating an inventory is to always keep receipts |
| hurricane season abounding, they may think there | | | | for major purchases and store these with the |
| is no need for a home inventory. This just is not | | | | home inventory. The more you can estimate for |
| the case!No matter what part of the country you | | | | the Homeowners insurance company the price |
| live in, a home inventory is a must have because | | | | and date an item was paid for, the more likely a |
| fire, flood, and wind or tornado damage as well as | | | | price near that cost will be given back for |
| theft or lost property can happen to anyone at | | | | repayment. If possible, it is also best to write |
| any time. Not having your home inventoried can | | | | down where the item was purchased at, the |
| make the process of dealing with insurance | | | | model number and a manufacturer's name.As well, |
| agents an absolute nightmare, especially if you are | | | | it is important to always note the date and time |
| trying to visualize from memory everything that | | | | on the inventory, and this is why using a still or |
| was lost, damaged or stolen in your home while | | | | video camera is a great idea. Although the |
| speaking to an insurance agent on the phone. The | | | | Homeowners insurance company is supposed to |
| best bet for making sure your household goods | | | | be on the side of the insured, they will be |
| are replaced to the fullest extent, is to keep | | | | estimating costs at a minimum to save |
| some type of home inventory to help better | | | | themselves money. So be smart about a home |
| replace these items.There are several different | | | | inventory, so that items will be replaced at full |
| ways to inventory the belongings in a home. Of | | | | cost and in a timely manner.Remember that it is |
| course one of the easiest ways to inventory | | | | not necessary to inventory items that would not |
| items is to get a notebook and pen and walk | | | | be missed if they are lost or damaged, such as a |
| from room to room writing down anything that | | | | paperback novel or a $10 pair of flip-flops, but if |
| would or should be replaced in case of damage or | | | | you are a book collector who has an extensive |
| loss. Inventorying items this way can be time | | | | collection of antique books or a shoe collector |
| consuming, but allows for everything in the room | | | | who has hundreds of dollars worth of shoes, be |
| to be examined and approximate values to be | | | | sure to inventory these items.Of course large |
| determined, which should be included on an | | | | items like furniture, artwork, appliances, |
| inventory list. The next step up from pen and | | | | electronics, large sports equipment, and large |
| paper would be to write the home inventory on a | | | | outdoor equipment should absolutely be |
| Microsoft excel spreadsheet or simply in a | | | | inventoried. It is probably wise to also inventory |
| Microsoft Word file.If the means are available for | | | | or at least photograph clothes, home interior |
| more hi-tech versions of inventorying home | | | | accessories, tool sets, kitchenware, and even |
| items, this is probably the best option. Simply turn | | | | workout equipment, but the major rule of thumb |
| the date and time stamp on the 35mm or digital | | | | is to know the value of your own personal |
| camera and go from room to room taking | | | | property to determine if it is worth adding to a |
| pictures of each room, labeling the pictures with | | | | home inventory list.After the home inventory is |
| item information once the pictures have been | | | | created it should be placed somewhere other than |
| developed.Many homeowners also use video | | | | the home. |