Imagine this: A fire, flood, or burglary damages or destroys your home and belongings. In the aftermath, you’re left scrambling to recall everything you owned, from furniture and electronics to valuable collectibles and everyday essentials. This stressful situation is exactly why a home inventory video is crucial—it provides a clear, detailed record of your possessions, making the insurance claims process much easier.
A simple walk-through video of your home, recorded once a year, can be one of the most effective ways to protect your assets. Here’s why making this video should be a priority and how to do it effectively.
Why a Home Inventory Video Matters
- Streamlines the Insurance Claims Process
If you ever need to file a claim, having a visual record of your belongings can speed up the process. It eliminates guesswork and helps your insurance provider assess the value of your lost or damaged items more accurately. - Provides Proof of Ownership
Written lists and receipts are helpful, but a video offers undeniable proof of what you owned and its condition before an incident. This is especially useful for high-value items like jewelry, artwork, and electronics. - Ensures Adequate Insurance Coverage
Reviewing your inventory video can help you determine if your homeowners or renters insurance policy provides enough coverage. If you’ve made major purchases or upgrades, you may need to adjust your policy to reflect those changes. - Simplifies Estate Planning
In addition to protecting you from financial loss, an inventory video can be useful for estate planning. It helps document valuable assets for future reference when dividing assets among family members.
How to Make an Effective Home Inventory Video
Creating a home inventory video is simple and only takes a little time. Follow these steps:
- Use Your Smartphone or Camera
A smartphone works perfectly for this task. Make sure your camera is set to record in high resolution for clear visuals. - Record Each Room Methodically
Walk through your home room by room, slowly panning the camera to capture everything. Open closets, drawers, and cabinets to show their contents. - Narrate as You Go
Describe what you’re filming, mentioning details like brand names, model numbers, purchase dates, and estimated values. This information can be extremely helpful when filing a claim. - Highlight Valuable Items
Focus on high-ticket items such as appliances, jewelry, electronics, antiques, and collectibles. If possible, include receipts, serial numbers, or appraisals in the video. - Store Your Video Safely
Save the video in a secure location, such as cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud) or an external hard drive. Make sure at least one trusted person knows where to access it in case of emergency. - Update It Annually
Set a reminder to record a new video each year, especially after making major purchases or renovations. This ensures your inventory remains accurate and up to date.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
A home inventory video is a small effort that can make a huge difference in recovering from an unexpected disaster. Taking 10–15 minutes once a year to document your belongings could save you countless hours and financial stress in the event of a loss.
By making this a regular habit, you’ll gain peace of mind knowing that you have a clear, detailed record of your home’s contents—ready when you need it most. So, grab your phone and start recording today!