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When was the last time you truly looked around your home — really looked at everything you own? Most people never take a full inventory of their belongings, yet that simple step could be crucial if disaster ever strikes. Here’s why documenting your possessions now can save you stress, money and heartache later.
Why Knowing What You Own Matters
You probably have the basics: a bed, a TV, a closet full of clothes and a mix of computers, gadgets and personal treasures collected over the years. Those items add up — often to more value than we realize. When everything is intact, it’s easy to overlook how much you own. But if a fire, flood or other disaster destroyed it all, would you be able to remember every item well enough to file an accurate insurance claim?
A Real Example of Total Loss
After a California wildfire, one homeowner watched his entire house burn to the ground. When I visited the property with him, nothing remained except a concrete slab. Even a pool table had melted into the foundation. The emotional loss was devastating — but another problem soon emerged: How could he possibly recall every item he owned to rebuild his life and submit a claim?
The structure itself could be rebuilt using permits and construction records. But his belongings? Those existed only in memory. He closed his eyes and tried to list what he once had. I urged him to use his phone’s voice recorder, look through cloud-backed photos and examine videos where the “background stuff” — shelves, rugs, furniture, décor — revealed details he’d forgotten. Still, many items, especially sentimental ones, could never truly be replaced.
Memory Alone Isn’t Enough
Disasters happen — wildfires, hurricanes, floods, theft and more. When they do, the shock, stress and grief make it nearly impossible to remember every belonging. After Hurricane Helene, countless homeowners faced this exact challenge. Losing everything is painful enough; not being able to recall what you’ve lost adds an entirely different level of distress.
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An accurate home inventory protects you from that additional suffering.
How to Create a Simple Home Inventory Today
When you finish reading this article, grab your smartphone and take these steps:
- Turn your phone sideways (landscape mode) and start recording video.
- Walk through every room — slowly.
- Open every drawer, cabinet and closet.
- Capture furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing, tools — everything.
- Don’t forget the garage, bathrooms, attic, basement and storage areas.
- Save the video to the cloud so it’s accessible even if your devices are lost.
This quick walkthrough becomes a powerful tool if you ever need to file a claim. It helps you recall details, document what you owned and avoid the painful guesswork that so many disaster survivors face.
A home inventory can’t prevent loss — but it can protect you from the added trauma of trying to remember what’s gone. Take a few minutes now to safeguard your future.
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