Home inventory for insurance claims: what to record
After a burglary, fire or flood, your insurer will ask what you had, what it was worth and how you can show it. Trying to remember everything in a stressful moment is hard — most people forget far more than they expect. A simple home inventory, done once and kept up to date, makes a claim much faster and fairer.
The "If something happens to me" checklist
A printable checklist of everything your family would need: insurance, KiwiSaver, vehicles, pets, your will and who to call.
Why an inventory matters
You'll forget more than you think
Ask anyone who's been through a house fire: listing everything you owned from memory is close to impossible. Kitchen gear, tools, clothing, kids' things and garden equipment add up fast — and anything you don't claim for, you don't get back.
It helps you get your sum insured right
Many households are underinsured for contents without realising. Adding up an inventory shows what it would actually cost to replace everything, so you can check your contents cover is enough.
What to record
You don't need every teaspoon — focus on things that would be costly or hard to replace.
For each significant item
- What it is — brand and model
- Serial number, where there is one
- When and where you bought it, and roughly what it cost
- A photo
- Receipt or proof of purchase, if you have it
- Warranty expiry date
Valuables need extra care
Jewellery, watches, art, collections and other high-value items often have a per-item limit on standard contents policies. Keep valuations and photos, and check whether they need to be listed separately on your policy to be fully covered.
Don't forget the less obvious rooms
The garage, shed, garden, attic and under the stairs are where forgotten items live: power tools, bikes, camping gear, the lawnmower, sports equipment.
How to do it quickly
An hour or two gets most homes covered.
Walk through with your phone
Go room by room taking a slow video, opening cupboards and wardrobes as you go and saying out loud what things are. It won't replace a list for big items, but it's a fast record of everything else.
Photograph serial numbers and receipts
For electronics and appliances, take a photo of the serial number label. Snap receipts as you get them — the ink on paper receipts fades.
Store it somewhere off-site
An inventory kept only in the house can be lost with the house. Keep it in cloud storage or an online service, and make sure another household member can get to it.
Keep it up to date
Add things as you buy them
The easiest habit is to add a big purchase on the day it arrives, with its receipt and warranty. Then give the whole list a quick review once or twice a year.
HomeTrack's asset register does this for you
Record appliances, electronics and other household items in HomeTrack — brand, model, serial number, purchase details and warranty expiry. HomeTrack reminds you before warranties run out, prompts you to review the register every few months, and exports it as a PDF for your insurer.
Start your 30-day free trial → No credit card required · Made in New ZealandCommon questions
What should I include in a home inventory?
For each significant item, record what it is, the brand and model, serial number, when and where you bought it, roughly what it cost, a photo, the receipt and the warranty expiry date.
How do I do a home inventory quickly?
Walk through each room taking a slow video, opening cupboards as you go, then photograph serial numbers and receipts for electronics, appliances and other higher-value items.
Are valuables covered by standard contents insurance?
Often only up to a per-item limit. Check your policy and keep valuations and photos for jewellery, art and other high-value items, which may need to be listed separately.