For most of us, home is more than a house. It’s a cherished source of memories and a treasure chest for our keepsakes. And on a practical level, it’s filled with things we use every day.

That’s why when a fire destroys a home, it cuts deeply into our lives. Having an up-to-date home inventory can help you get back on your feet after a disaster. There are a number of reasons why a home inventory is important:

• It can help you determine how much insurance you may need.
• It speeds up the claims process, reducing hassle in already trying times.
• Most importantly, it enables you to rebuild your life as completely as possible after a loss.

Erie Insurance offers a detailed guide to help you know what to include in your inventory. Just print out the PDF, then go through your house, room by room. Mark down each item, including its current replacement cost. When you’re done, you may want to review your contents with your Agent to ensure that your insurance coverage is sufficient. Make sure to store your inventory in a fireproof box or outside your home altogether.

Other Tools

The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) also makes it easy for homeowners to keep a record of belongings. The organization offers free home inventory software you—and family members—can easily download to a home computer.

With the software, each birthday gift and new purchase can be quickly added to the ever-changing list. That list can be regularly backed up on a CD or in paper form and stored somewhere outside of the home for extra protection. To learn about the software and to download it, visit knowyourstuff.org.