State of California Dept of Insurance
"Listing all your possessions in the event of a fire, an earthquake or burglary can be difficult. The emotions experienced after a loss may present a big challenge when you try to remember all of your personal possessions. Thus, it is very important to take inventory of your personal property before you have a loss."

State Farm.com
"An accurate inventory and proof of ownership at the time of a loss can make claim settlement easier and faster. For your future protection, it would be a good idea to make a detailed inventory of your personal belongings."

Allstate.com
"Conducting a Home Inventory allows you to keep a record of what you own, which will simplify the process of sorting through damaged items should you need to file a claim."

Nationwide.com
"A great way to log your belongings is to keep a photographic record. Then, if something happens, you will have a better record of all your stuff and help prove what you had in your home when the loss occurred."

Farmers.com
"If you had a burglary or a fire in your home tomorrow, would you have the information you need to file a complete claim?"

LibertyMutual.com
"Conducting a home inventory now - before a loss occurs - is important as it will help you in determining items that were lost, stolen, or destroyed and will expedite the claims process. It will provide you with a record of your possessions and peace of mind that you have the protection you need. An inventory of your personal belongings is important no matter if you own a home, a condo, or rent."

Many people are devastated to find that their insurance policy does not just pay-out the amount for which they are covered. Having a home inventory conducted before it's too late can be invaluable.

Most people try to recollect their belongings and their purchase price after a major loss occurs, and often times they do so unsuccessfully. Without a home inventory, trying to complete one based on memory is a daunting task and will take months, prolonging any settlement from the insurance company.

While the insurance company may accept your 'after-loss' inventory, without photographic proof that the items existed in your home, they are not required to pay you what your list is worth.

The main reason for taking pictures for insurance inventories is purely financial. Without proof of ownership, insurance companies usually won't replace items or cut you a check to cover the costs of replacing them.

The process of taking photos for insurance inventories also reminds people of just how much they own and stand to lose. Many people underestimate the worth of their possessions and aren't sufficiently insured. Going through the house carefully and taking pictures for possible future insurance claims provides a chance to re-evaluate the amount of insurance needed to replace everything in the home.

Regardless of the type of policy, what you may not realize is that YOU ARE STILL REQUIRED TO HAVE AN ITEMIZED INVENTORY OF YOUR BELONGINGS FOR YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, one out of every 150 U.S homes suffers a fire that destroys property that cannot be adequately identified for insurance purposes. If you live in a Southern California hillside location, your odds increase dramatically! In 2007, there were an estimated 1.6 million fires, with property loss due to the fires estimated at $14.6 billion.

• Faster and Easier Insurance Claim Compensation
• Assessment of Current Insurance Coverage
• Proof of Possessions In Your Home
• Photos Assist Property Valuations
• Ease of Use
• Peace of Mind

Whether you're on a PC or a MAC does not matter. DocuHome is committed to using the supporting all major operating systems and browsers. DocuHome gives you instant access to all your documents and photos, so long as you have a Web browser. Making DocuHome available anywhere you have access to the internet and a web browser will greatly simplify keeping your home inventory safe, accessible and up-to-date.

Web-based computing is a safe and secure method that eliminates the need for time-consuming software installations, trudging through menu after menu to configure programs, backing-up or upgrading.

In the unfortunate event that you need to make an insurance claim, simply log into your DocuHome account, print your inventory spreadsheets and give them to your insurance agent.

Private and Secure. Customers transact more when they feel secure. That's why DocuHome uses the strongest SSL encryption available through VeriSign, the number 1 trusted provider of Internet infrastructure services for the digital world. Only True 128-bit SSL Certificates with Server Gated Cryptography (SGC) enable every site visitor to experience the strongest SSL encryption available to them.

That's simple. Everything!

With any digital camera and DocuHome's powerful home inventory software, you can do this in just a few hours! You can even do a preliminary calculation of insurance coverage needed to cover your assets.

Remember, if you lose everything in a fire, you'll have to replace cooking utensils, kitchen appliances, silverware, personal grooming items and many more items too numerous to mention. Include the outside of the house, garden tools, plants, swimming pool, patio furniture and even landscaping. Remember insurance companies require you to compile an inventory for each item in your home.

• Home Inventory for Insurance Documentation
• Insurance re-evaluation
• Estate Planning and Settlement
• Divorce Settlement
• Landlords/Vacation Rentals
• Small Business Inventory

The purpose for documenting your personal property is to assist you in compiling an inventory for future needs as well as having proof of what you own. The amount of insurance coverage does not affect the requirement of having to list each item for the insurance adjuster should you suffer a loss from fire, earthquake, flood, theft, etc.

For example, if you have $200,000 worth of personal property coverage and your house burns down, you are required to compile an inventory for each item in your home. This includes every knife, fork, spoon, plate, towel, t-shirt, suit and the list goes on an on. While it's pretty simple to recall your sofa, television, bed and other large items, you must also be able to document that you indeed had $200,000 worth of personal property for the insurance company to give you that dollar amount. The small items add up fast! If you show the insurance company a photo of your closet with 10 custom made business suits, it will be hard for them to dispute that you owned them even if you do not have the receipt to prove it. It is also a great way to substantiate your tax write off for any losses that are above your insurance coverage.

...all this for peace of mind

Hopefully you'll never need to use an insurance home inventory, but if the worst happens,
photos of your property will help maximize compensation for your insurance claims.

If a loss should occur, a DocuHome home inventory will make the difference between an inadequate restoration of your home and its furnishing and gaining all that is rightfully yours from your insurance policy.

Any potential exclusions/limitations shown on this site are intended to be hypothetical examples and educational in general nature only. They are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of actual exclusions present in any insurance policy. Carefully read your policy as the definitions, coverages and limitations contained in your policy supercede any information provided on this website.