--- title: Why Keep a Home Inventory? description: A home is one of the biggest investments people will make, so it’s crucial that you have the proper insurance for it – including what is inside the home. image: https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/hubfs/kari-shea-MfJ9g64-WxQ-unsplash.jpg --- [**](https://www.facebook.com/steersatlantic/) [**](https://twitter.com/steersatlantic) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/steersinsuranceatlantic/) [**](https://www.instagram.com/steersinsuranceatlantic/) [Home](https://www.steersatlantic.ca/?hsLang=en-ca) [Contact Us](https://www.steersatlantic.ca/contact-otc-insurance-brokers?hsLang=en-ca) 888-295-7474 [![steers-logo-1](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/steers-logo-1.png?width=813&height=321&name=steers-logo-1.png)](https://steersatlantic.ca/) [![GET A QUOTE](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6109970/83e767f7-64ca-4507-b512-9802bad0d339.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6109970/83e767f7-64ca-4507-b512-9802bad0d339) ![business-meeting](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/hubfs/OTC_Insurance_February2020%20Theme/Images/business-meeting-1446005-sm-2-1.jpg); ![Contractors Pollution](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/hubfs/OTC_Insurance_February2020%20Theme/Images/Contractors%20Pollution-2058-72dpi-1-1.png); ![Marine Cargo](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/hubfs/OTC_Insurance_February2020%20Theme/Images/Marine%20Cargo%2024843636_s-3-1.jpg); ![crime insurance](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/hubfs/OTC_Insurance_February2020%20Theme/Images/crime%20insurance%2080155537-72dpi-1-1.png); ![business-meeting](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/hubfs/OTC_Insurance_February2020%20Theme/Images/Condo%20living-room-2155353-72dpi-1-1.jpg); ![Contractors Pollution](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/hubfs/OTC_Insurance_February2020%20Theme/Images/Auto%20Ins%20Brunette-Teen-in-Red-Car-1.jpg); ![Marine Cargo](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/hubfs/OTC_Insurance_February2020%20Theme/Images/atvs-2751246-72dpi-1-1.jpg); # Steers Insurance Blog # Why Keep a Home Inventory? Posted by [Christine Gaudreau](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/author/christine-gaudreau) on Jun 18, 2020 12:07:08 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![kari-shea-MfJ9g64-WxQ-unsplash](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/kari-shea-MfJ9g64-WxQ-unsplash.jpg?width=4800&name=kari-shea-MfJ9g64-WxQ-unsplash.jpg) A home is one of the biggest investments most people will make in their lifetime, so it’s crucial that people have the proper insurance coverage for it – including what is inside the home. Creating and regularly updating an inventory of your personal possessions is one of the best ways to make the most of your homeowners insurance, and can make filing a claim easier and more efficient. A thorough inventory of your home's contents and the associated value of the contents will help you and your insurance representative confirm adequate coverage. If you need to make a claim, whether due to damage from severe weather or flooding, a home inventory will help you receive proper compensation. **5 Tips for Making a Home Inventory** Print a copy of IBC's [Personal Property Inventory Checklist](http://assets.ibc.ca/Documents/Brochures/Personal-Property-Inventory.pdf) or download an [Excel sheet](http://assets.ibc.ca/Documents/Brochures/Home-Inventory.xls) to track your possessions room by room. In taking stock of your contents, consider the following. 1. Keep the bills, receipts, warranties and instruction manuals for your more valuable possessions – these can serve as proof of ownership. 2. Store your records and receipts in a safe place, such as a safety deposit box or a secure online option. 3. Review your home inventory every year and when you make new purchases. The value of your possessions will increase the more you acquire. 4. Take photographs or video footage of all of your valuable possessions. 5. Store records of credit cards, taxes, government and other important household documents in an off-site location. **When to Create and Update** Think of your home inventory as you would the batteries in your fire alarms. When you change the batteries, think if it is time to update your home inventory. Before a move is also an ideal time to prepare or update your home inventory list. When you increase the value of your home through a renovation or purchase expensive furniture, art, jewellery or other valuable items, you should notify your insurance professional. A thorough and current inventory of your home's contents and associated value will help confirm adequate coverage and, in the event of a loss, proper compensation.  Download your copy here [![Home Inventory Checklist](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6109970/1989f2cf-30ac-41db-ba7e-65b84920af5a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6109970/1989f2cf-30ac-41db-ba7e-65b84920af5a) Learn about Home Insurance by getting started with a free quote:  [https://www.otcinsurance.ca/home-insurance-overview](https://www.otcinsurance.ca/home-insurance-overview)     ### Does Your Policy Fit you? ![Small Office 104662907](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Small%20Office%20104662907.png?width=221&name=Small%20Office%20104662907.png) Your business has grown and evolved; perhaps your insurance should too.  Put us to work with our free no obligation assessment.   [![Free Commercial Insurance Assessment](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6109970/8c5d4c50-98f0-4e77-a002-e27b394ca3d3.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6109970/8c5d4c50-98f0-4e77-a002-e27b394ca3d3) ### Subscribe Here! ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Tag - [Home Insurance (60)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/home-insurance) - [Commercial Insurance (55)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/commercial-insurance) - [Auto Insurance (15)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/auto-insurance) - [Cyber Insurance (15)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/cyber-insurance) - [Commercial Property Insurance (12)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/commercial-property-insurance) - [Home Base Business (8)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/home-base-business) - [About OTC Insurance (7)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/about-otc-insurance) - [Environmental Insurance (7)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/environmental-insurance) - [Property damage (7)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/property-damage) - [Overland Flood Insurance (4)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/overland-flood-insurance) - [Continuity Insurance (3)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/continuity-insurance) - [Preventative Maintenance (3)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/preventative-maintenance) - [Women in Business (3)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/women-in-business) - [Inflation (2)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/inflation) - [Personal Insurance (2)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/personal-insurance) - [Boat Insurance (1)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/boat-insurance) - [Health and Safety (1)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/health-and-safety) - [Home Inventory Checklist (1)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/home-inventory-checklist) - [Travel Insurance (1)](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/tag/travel-insurance) [See all](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/blog/why-keep-a-home-inventory#) [![steers_reverse](https://blog.steersatlantic.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/steers_reverse.png?width=499&height=257&name=steers_reverse.png)](https://steersatlantic.ca/)   130 Eileen Stubbs Avenue Unit 7 Dartmouth, NS  B3B 2C4 **Tel:** (902) 481-0700 **Toll-Free:** (888) 295-7474 **Fax:** (902) 481-1812 [hello@steersinsurance.com](mailto:hello@steersinsurance.com) © 2023 Steers Atlantic Inc.