Unlock Peace of Mind: Discover the Power of a Quick and Easy home inventory

Discover the Power of a Quick and Easy Home Inventory

It’s as simple as walking around your house video recording along the way!

Imagine seeing all of your possessions floating around in your basement or melted and smoke-covered after a fire. Your daughter’s favorite stuffed animal is destroyed, and your TV, books, pots, and pans – all in ruin! You have no idea where to begin…UGH!!!

In the unfortunate event of a theft, fire, natural disaster, or other unexpected loss, having a pre-existing inventory video can be invaluable when filing an insurance claim. It provides concrete evidence of the items you own and their condition, helping to streamline the claims process and ensure you receive fair compensation. Your inventory video serves as proof of ownership of your belongings. This can be crucial if you need to replace items or prove their value to your insurance company.

Over time, it’s easy to forget what you own, especially for items in storage or less frequently used. Having a video record can jog your memory and help you remember what you need to claim.

Important Steps

Recording: As you move through your home, make sure to capture all valuable items, such as electronics, furniture, jewelry, artwork, appliances, and any other items of value.
Describe Items: While recording, describe each item briefly. Mention its brand, model, approximate value, and any unique features. Open cabinets, closets, and drawers to show the contents inside
Focus on Details: Pay attention to the details, especially when it comes to high-value items.Capture serial numbers, labels, and any distinguishing marks.
Document Documents: Remember to document important documents like passports, certificates, and receipts. You can capture these by showing them briefly on camera.
Special Considerations: For especially valuable items like jewelry, it’s a good idea to have them appraised and to keep records of appraisals.

What To Do With Your Video

Back up a copy of the recording. Having a copy means your data is protected in the event of system failure or file corruption.
Store at least one copy off-site and/or on the cloud. Great free storage is available at – Google Drive, MS OneDrive, or DropBox.
Update as needed, after making expensive purchases – but no less than once per year. January is a great time – after all of those new gifts and presents during the holiday season.

Remember that creating a detailed video inventory of your belongings can greatly assist in the event of an insurance claim or a loss. Be thorough and keep your records up to date to ensure you have accurate documentation for your insurance company – so you will be reimbursed for the full value you are owed.

⭐ If you prefer to kick it “old school” or just need some ideas on how to begin – Here is a Printable Home Inventory List from My Frugal Home.

⭐ There’s also an “app for that” – The National Association of Insurance Commissioners created the “NAIC Home Inventory” App available in the App Store and Google Play

We believe you deserve the best service – at Reliable we help people find peace of mind by restoring the health and safety of their home after water, fire, and mold damage.

If your life has been disrupted by property damage,
we can help you navigate through this difficult time.

Get Help

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What exactly is an ice dam and how does it form?

An ice dam forms when heat from your attic melts the snow on your roof. The water flows down to the eaves (the edges of the roof) which stay cold. The water freezes there, building up a ridge of ice. This ridge traps subsequent meltwater, which then seeps under the shingles and into your attic or walls.

2. My ceiling is stained but not dripping. Do I still need an evaluation?

Yes. Water stains are a sign that moisture has already bypassed your roof's protection. Even if it isn't dripping now, the insulation and drywall behind that stain are likely wet. Professional moisture meters are needed to see if the area is truly drying or if it is harboring moisture that will lead to mold.

3. Will my homeowners insurance cover ice dam damage in Connecticut?

In many cases, yes. Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover damage caused by ice dams, as it is considered a sudden and accidental event. However, every policy is different. Part of our process includes providing detailed Photo Reports and documentation to help you navigate the insurance claim process.

4. How can I prevent ice dams from happening again?

The long-term solution involves improving attic insulation and ventilation to keep the roof at a consistent temperature. In the short term, keeping your gutters clear and using a roof rake to remove snow from the eave areas after a storm can help reduce the risk.

5. Can I just dry the area myself with a space heater?

We strongly advise against this. Space heaters can be fire hazards and often only dry the surface of the drywall while leaving the wood studs and insulation wet inside the wall. This "trapped" moisture is exactly what causes mold growth a few weeks later.

6. How do you find water that is hidden behind my walls?

We use thermal imaging cameras and professional-grade moisture meters. Thermal imaging allows us to see temperature differences that indicate moisture pockets, and moisture meters give us a scientific reading of how much water is in the materials. This takes the guesswork out of the restoration.

7. How long does the restoration process typically take?

Every case is unique, but the professional drying phase usually takes between 3 to 5 days. Once we perform our evaluation, we provide a realistic timeline in your custom plan so you can plan your life accordingly.