Insurance companies can require you to provide an inventory of your lost, stolen, or damaged items before paying on a claim. If you don’t have an accurate inventory, it could reduce the amount of money that the insurance company pays out to you.

Get the benefits you deserve! Consider these important tips:

• Home Inventory Basics. The list should include every item in your home. Photos can also be helpful. Receipts or estimates of value are also useful.

• Pen and Paper List.. You can use a pen and paper to make the list. To avoid hassles, start in one room of the house and keep careful track as you move to other rooms.

• Video List. You can make a video of all of the items in your home. Store it in a safe place. The video should include descriptions and values.

• Spreadsheet List. To save time, you can make an online spreadsheet list. It should include entries for prices, and you can even attach photos.

• Inventory Apps List. You can use online or mobile apps to help you build an inventory list. They provide guidance and suggestions.  

Your insurance inventory is an important part of your financial paperwork. You may want to make several copies of the inventory and store them in safe places to ensure this important information will be available if you should ever need it for an insurance claim.

~Go forth and prosper, CJ Wallace