Home inventory for insurance: how to do it properly
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An insurance claim after a theft, fire, or flood moves faster and settles fairer when you have documented evidence of what you owned. A home inventory provides that evidence — and it takes an afternoon to build.
Here's how to put together one that will actually hold up if you need to use it.
What an insurance-grade inventory includes
A basic list of items isn't enough. For each significant item, record:
| Field | Why it matters for a claim |
|---|---|
| Description | Identifies the item specifically |
| Brand and model | Establishes exact specification |
| Serial number | Confirms your specific unit (important for electronics) |
| Approximate replacement value | Gives the insurer a value to work from |
| Date of purchase (if known) | Supports proof of ownership and age |
| Photograph | The most convincing evidence of possession |
| Receipt or proof of purchase | Best documentary proof of ownership and price |
You don't need all of these for every item — a £30 kettle doesn't need a serial number — but for anything over £50, the more detail the better.
The items that matter most
High-value electronics
Televisions, laptops, smartphones, cameras, audio equipment, games consoles. These are common theft targets and have clearly identifiable specifications. Record the model and serial number for each. Photograph the serial number label.
Jewellery and watches
These are where underpayment is most common in claims. Values change, and a watch or ring bought ten years ago may be worth significantly more now. For items over your policy's single-item limit, speak to your insurer about specifying them individually — this usually requires a professional valuation.
Appliances
Fridge, washing machine, dishwasher, oven, tumble dryer, microwave. Note make, model, and approximate replacement cost. These are significant value items that a household claim will include.
Furniture and soft furnishings
Sofas, beds, dining tables, wardrobes. Often the largest category by value in a typical home, and frequently underestimated. Check current replacement costs — furniture prices have risen significantly.
Clothing and personal items
Harder to value but part of a contents claim. An estimate by category ("clothing: estimated £3,000") is acceptable — you don't need to list every garment.
The photograph rule
For any item you care about, take a photograph. The photograph should show:
- The item in your home (proving it was there).
- The serial number label, if applicable.
- Any relevant detail (the make and model clearly visible).
Store photographs where they survive what you're claiming for. A theft victim who stored their only photo on a stolen laptop has a problem. Use cloud storage (Google Photos, iCloud, Dropbox) — it's offsite by definition.
Date-stamp matters too. Cloud photo services record the date a photo was taken in the file metadata. A photograph taken before a loss is strong evidence; one taken after is much weaker.
Checking your policy before you claim
Before relying on your inventory in a claim, know your policy:
- Single-item limit — most standard policies won't pay more than £1,500–£2,500 for any single item unless it's specifically listed on the policy. If you have jewellery, watches, or electronics above this threshold, they may need to be specified individually.
- Exclusions — common exclusions include accidental damage (often a policy add-on rather than standard), items left in an unattended vehicle, and items used for business purposes.
- Excess — the amount you pay on any claim. Factor this into whether small claims are worth making.
- New for old vs indemnity — new-for-old policies replace items at current prices; indemnity policies deduct for age and wear. Check which you have.
Keeping it current
An inventory is only useful if it reflects what you currently own. Build the habit of updating it when:
- You make a significant purchase.
- You give something away, sell it, or dispose of it.
- A valuable item changes in value (especially jewellery and art).
An annual review — perhaps when your policy renews — is enough for most households.
Storing the inventory
| Format | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Spreadsheet on cloud (Google Sheets, etc.) | Accessible anywhere; survives device loss | Photographs stored separately |
| Cloud document with embedded photos | Photos and data together | Can get large |
| JustTaggit (for appliances) | Per-item records with serial numbers, manuals, receipts | Covers appliances/electronics, not clothing/furniture |
| Paper folder | Tangible | Destroyed in fire or flood |
The best approach is digital and offsite. For appliances specifically, JustTaggit stores the model, serial number, purchase date, and any receipts against the item's QR code — effectively an insurance-ready record for each appliance.
For a general home inventory covering all possessions (not just appliances), a cloud spreadsheet with a separate cloud photo album linked in each row is simple and robust.
See how to create a home inventory from scratch for a step-by-step room-by-room approach.
Your appliance records, one scan away — always ready if you need to claim. Start free →
Frequently asked questions
Do insurers ask to see the inventory?
Not upfront — you don't submit an inventory when taking out a policy. You use it when making a claim. At that point, the insurer's loss adjuster may ask for evidence of ownership and value. The inventory is your prepared answer.
What's the single-item limit on contents insurance?
Most standard UK contents insurance policies have a single-item limit — typically £1,500–£2,500 — above which items must be 'specified' individually on the policy and separately valued. Check your policy documents. Jewellery, watches, cameras, and musical instruments often exceed this threshold.
What if I don't have receipts?
Receipts help but aren't essential. Bank statements showing the transaction, manufacturer specification sheets showing current RRP, or photographs with metadata showing when they were taken are all useful supporting evidence. An inventory with photographs is far better than nothing.
How much contents insurance do I need?
The total replacement cost of everything you own, at today's prices (not what you paid). Most people significantly underestimate this. Walk through your home and total the replacement costs — the aggregate for a typical home is often £30,000–£60,000 or more when furniture, appliances, electronics, clothing, books, and personal items are included.