A study shows that 59% of Americans do not have enough insurance coverage to rebuild their home and replace its contents and landscaping in the event of a total loss. That means nearly 2 out of every 3 Americans are underinsured! Taking and maintaining a detailed home inventory can help make certain you are not one of those underinsured Americans by basing your homeowner’s insurance coverage on actual numbers instead of on a hunch. This is, of course, a very important reason for having a home inventory.
Yet probably the most obvious reason for maintaining a complete inventory of your home is to assist in disaster recovery. In the event of a fire, burglary, or natural disaster that leads to filing a homeowners insurance claim, having a complete inventory will not only speed up the recovery time it will also help you maximize your claim. And it will provide you with a shopping list to help you rebuild your home.
There are many other reasons and circumstances that make taking an inventory necessary. Check out the list below.
Moving – Items are often damaged or lost during a move. Completing a full inventory prior to a move can be a great asset should you need to file a claim with your moving company.
Storage – Do you rent a storage unit? If so, can you remember everything that is in it? When items are out of sight, they are very often also out of mind. An inventory of your storage unit will help you recall every item in your unit.
Divorce – In the unfortunate event of a divorce, a home inventory will provide you with the physical asset value of your possessions in order to ensure a correct split.
Pre-nuptial Agreements – A home and/or business inventory helps prove the total assets of each party entering into a pre-nuptial agreement. An inventory also provides peace of mind to adult children of parents who remarry to help ensure their inheritance is protected.
Estate Planning and Settlements – Taking inventory while dealing with a personal loss can be overwhelming. Planning ahead and preparing a complete inventory makes estate planning easier and helps to make certain that the estate owner’s wishes are fulfilled during a settlement.
Whatever your specific reason, a documented inventory provides you with peace of mind and an extra layer of protection.