Safeguarding the things you own

Before a catastrophe strikes and you're faced with a loss, make a home inventory-lists, pictures or a videotape of the contents of your home. With a home inventory, you'll get your insurance claim settled faster.

Would you be able to remember all the possessions you've accumulated over the years if they were destroyed by a fire? Having an up-to-date home inventory will help you get your insurance claim settled faster, verify losses for your income tax return and help you purchase the correct amount of insurance.

Taking inventory
Start by making a list of your possessions, describing each item and noting where you bought it and its make and model. Clip to your list any sales receipts, purchase contracts, and appraisals you have.
For clothing, count the items you own by category-pants, coats, shoes, for example-making notes about those that are especially valuable.
For major appliances and electronic equipment, record their serial numbers usually found on the back or bottom.

Don't be put off!
If you are just setting up a household, starting an inventory list can be relatively simple. If you've been living in the same house for many years, however, the task of creating a list can be daunting.
Still, it's better to have an incomplete inventory than nothing at all. Start with recent purchases and then try to remember what you can about older possessions.

Big ticket items
Valuable items like jewelry, art work and collectibles may have increased in value since you received them. Check with your agent to make sure that you have adequate insurance for these items. They may need to be insured separately.

Take a picture
Besides the list, you can take pictures of rooms and important individual items. On the back of the photos note what is shown, where you bought each item, and the make. Don't forget things that are in closets or drawers.

Videotape it
Walk through your house or apartment videotaping and describing the contents. Or do the same thing using a tape recorder.

Use a personal computer
Use your PC to make your inventory list. Personal finance software packages often include a homeowners room-by-room inventory program.

Storing the list, photos and tapes
Regardless of how you do it(written list, floppy disk, photos, videotape or audio tape), keep your inventory along with receipts in your safe deposit box or at a friend or relative's home.
That way you'll be sure to have something to give your insurance represntative if your home is damaged.
When you make a significant purchase, add the information to your inventory while the details are fresh in your mind.

To help create the inventory, you can use the following list of items. In some cases, items are listed by the room they are most likely to be found in. in other cases, they are grouped together by category.
For many items like books, CDs, bed sheets or pots and pans you can make a general estimate of how many you have. For expensive items, note the make, model, and store where the item was purchased and the approximate date.
If you find our list's don't work for you, use them as a guide to create your own inventory.

Examples

Item Description When/where bought make/model
Television -27" color Suburban mall, 1989 Panasonic, srl#02387
Rugs - Antique Turkish 6'x8' anniversary gift 1981
Tapes - 64 various classical cassette tapes

Appliances and equipment
That may be found in different rooms

Item Description when/where bought make/model

Telivision

VCRs

Video tapes

Camcorders

CD players

Stereo equipment

Records, tapes, CDs

Radios

Sewing machine
Cameras

Answering machine

Phones

Washer/dryer

Air conditioners

Heaters

Fans

Vacuum cleaners

Exercise equipment

Humidifiers
Miscellaneous items
Living room/den

Item description When/where bought make/model
Carpets/rugs

Curtains/shades

Sofas

Cushions

Chairs

Coffee tables

End tables

Desk

Bookcase

Books

Clocks

Entertainment Center

Wall units

Piano
Other musical instruments

Mirrors

Vases

Fireplace equipment

Collections(coin, stamp,etc)

Planters

Lamps/light fixtures

Pictures&other wall hangings

Miscellaneous items

Dining room

Item Description when/where bought make/model
Carpet

Curtain/shades,etc.

Buffet

Table

Chairs

China cabinet

China

Silverware

Crystal

Table Linens

Tea or coffee set

Serving table/cart

Clocks

Pictures &other wall hangings

Miscellaneous items

Bedrooms

Items description when/where bought make/model
Carpets/rugs

Curtains/shades,etc.

Headboards

Beds

Bed linens/covers

Pillows

Dressers

Chests

Dressing tables

Night tables

Bookcases

Books

Chairs

Desks

Mirrors

Clocks

Picture & other wall hangings

Lamps/light fixture

Miscellaneous items

Clothing
Item Description When/where Make/model
Shoes

Coats

Furs

Suits

Dressers

Sports apparel

Shirts

Skirts

Jewelry

Miscellaneous items

Kitchen

Item Description When/Where bought Make/model
Curtains/shades,etc

Table

Chairs

Refrigerator

Freezer

Stove

Microwave oven

Convection oven
Dishwasher
Coffee makers
Other small appliances

Pots/pan

Bowls

Dishes

Glasses

Kitchen tools

Utensils

Clocks

Step stool
Food/supplies

Pictures & other wall hangings

Miscellaneous items

Home office/study

Item description when/where bought make/model
Carpet/rugs

Curtains/shades, etc.

Desk

Chairs

Clocks

Couch

Computer

Printer

Scanner

Fax machine

Tape recorder

Stocks/bonds/securities

Manuscripts

Bookcase

Books

Tables

Business supplies

Fireplace equipment

Picture & other wall hangings

Lamps/light fixtures

Miscellaneous items

Garage/basement/attic/shed

Item description when/where bought make/model
Furniture

Luggage/trunks

Sports equipment

Toys/outdoor games

Bicycles

Small boats

Trailers

Dehumidifier
Lawn mower

Snow blower

Shovels

Sprinklers/hoses

Wheelbarrow

Other garden tools/supplies

Ladders/step stools

Work bench

Carpentry tools/supplies

Collections (gun,etc.)

Holiday decorations

Miscellaneous items

Porch/patio

Item Description when/where bought make/model
Chairs

Tables

Umbrella

Rugs/mats

Lamp/light fixtures

Outdoor cooking equipment

Planters

Jacuzzi

Miscellaneous items