Dealing with the aftermath of a house fire can be a traumatic and overwhelming experience. After everything you’ve been through, the last thing you probably want to do is write down everything that’s been damaged or destroyed for your insurance company. However, creating an inventory list, you can be sure the insurance company has an accurate account of everything they need to reimburse you for so your life can get back to normal as soon as possible.
What is an inventory list?
An inventory list is simply a document stating the personal property that was damaged or otherwise lost in an event covered by your insurance – in this case, a fire. Your insurance company will use this list to help determine how much you will be reimbursed for, so accuracy is imperative.
Here’s how to write an inventory list along with some helpful tips to make the process as easy as possible.
- Draw a diagram of your house: Creating a floorplan of your home and labeling each room helps jog your memory about what was in each room. Start the list by drawing in larger items like furniture and electronics because they’re easier to remember. Then use that context to help you remember the smaller items the room also held.
- Walk through your house: Once you’re told it’s safe to go inside, look for any salvageable items and note what you see that needs replacing. Be sure to wear a mask to avoid breathing in soot. Also, wear old clothes you can remove before leaving so you don’t track dirt into your car and new home.
- Look through old photos: Reference photos that were taken inside your house to help you spot items that you might have overlooked earlier. Ask family and friends for any pictures they might have too.
- Check credit card and bank statements: Look through the purchases you made and what you paid. This way, you’ll know what you list from these records are as accurate as possible.
- Go in-store or online to check prices: Look up the cost of the items from the stores you got them at. This way, you’ll know what to request for replacement costs so you don’t shortchange yourself or overvalue items which might raise a red flag with your insurance company, delaying the process.
If you want professional help creating your inventory list and valuing your items, Guardian Public Adjusters will take care of everything for you. Visit us at GuardianPublicAdjusters.com or call us at 309-267-4490 today and let us help you get your life back to normal sooner.