Insurance • 8 min • December 27, 2025 • Live
Insurance Inventory 101: What to Document Before You Need It
A practical checklist for what to capture now (in minutes) so you’re not scrambling later.
When you file a claim, your ability to recover quickly often depends on one thing: documentation. If you can’t list what you lost (and prove it existed), you can’t easily replace it.
Start with the coverage reality
A huge number of homeowners misunderstand what standard policies cover. Flood is the most common surprise.
One study found 43% of homeowners believed standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage from heavy rain — but flood damage is generally excluded and requires separate coverage.
A 20-minute inventory plan
Don’t try to catalog your entire life in one night. Start with what moves the needle:
- • Major appliances (HVAC, water heater, fridge, washer/dryer)
- • Electronics (TVs, computers, cameras, consoles)
- • Tools + equipment (power tools, lawn equipment)
- • High-value items (jewelry, collectibles, musical instruments)
- • Renovations (roof, windows, kitchen/bath upgrades)
What to capture for each item
- • 2 photos (wide shot + label/serial close-up)
- • Purchase date + purchase price (receipt if possible)
- • Model + serial number
- • Warranty docs (helps with both claims and repairs)
- • Notes on condition / upgrades / special features
Dwelluno is built to keep this attached to the asset — so after a loss, you’re exporting a clean inventory, not guessing from memory.
Note: This article is for informational purposes and is not insurance or legal advice. Coverage varies by policy and state.
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