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Top Reasons Why You Should Make a Home Inventory Checklist

Insurance
Author: ServiceMaster Restore

Your policyholders have worked hard to accumulate their belongings. But would they be able to remember all of their possessions if they were stolen or destroyed in a disaster? By helping them take the time to document their belongings before the unexpected happens, you can help ensure that they can fully recover afterward. Pass on the following reasons why your policyholders should have a home inventory list, plus tips on how to begin creating one, with help from ServiceMaster Restore.

Top Reasons To Have A Household Inventory List

Unless your policyholders are properly prepared, dealing with the aftermath of an emergency can be costly. Here are a few reasons why they should keep an updated, detailed household inventory list:

  1. Insurance Claim Reimbursement. Remembering the details of all of the belongings they’ve accumulated throughout the years can be difficult, especially if they're in the middle of a devastating event. Additionally, a detailed list could help them determine how much insurance coverage they need to ensure they have adequate coverage before the worst happens.
  2. Provides Peace Of Mind. After a disaster, they’ll want to have as much peace of mind as possible. Their efforts should be focused on getting life back to normal quickly. An inventory list of their belongings could significantly help to minimize the stress during an already difficult situation.
  3. Comes In Handy For Several Situations. An inventory list may be helpful in a variety of situations, including moving, filing taxes, or planning their estate. It can also be extremely beneficial if they ever need to file an insurance claim due to theft, damage, or disaster, as their list will already include every important item they owned along with its estimated value.
  4. Aids The Recovery Process. Sometimes, following a disaster, people may qualify for disaster assistance or tax breaks. An inventory list can help determine if they qualify for these, as it can easily substantiate their financial losses.

How To Create A Home Inventory List

A household inventory list should include a detailed account of everything in your policyholders’ home, from the basement to the attic. Anything they’ve purchased should be included on the list. Developing a comprehensive inventory list might take some time and effort. However, the more precise they are, the more useful it can be later on. Here are some tips to help them build a home inventory list:

• Take all items inside and outside of the home into account

• Walk through the home and write down each item's age, make, model, serial number, and estimated value

• Take photos or videos of all items to include with the written list

• Keep receipts, purchase contracts and appraisals with the inventory list

• Consider using an app or a document within a cloud-based system to store the inventory list

• Make copies of the inventory list and back it up online or on an external drive

• Keep the list updated as new purchases are made

• Check insurance coverage for high-price items

Having a household inventory checklist helps prepare your policyholders for the worst. That way, if the unexpected does happen, they'll be ready to react to and recover from damages. While they work to get their household items back, let the professionals at ServiceMaster Restore help you, help them - rebuild and get life back to normal after they experience weather damage from a range of disasters.

You’re known for going above and beyond for your policyholders – so are we. Damage to your policyholder's home or business can be quite a stressful experience. ServiceMaster Restore is here to help them get back to normal as quickly as possible. With over 65 years of industry experience, you can count on us to provide your policyholder with the peace of mind they need.

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