To cover your household possessions against theft, fire and water damage, a good homeowners policy will provide peace of mind and security. Items you should consider insuring include furniture, electronics, household appliances, clothing, jewelry and computer equipment.

One reason you'll need the correct value of your possessions is to avoid being under insured, otherwise if you ever need to make a claim you may not be able to recover the full value in the event of loss or damage.

Note: High theft items, such as jewelry, guns and currency, are subject to a sublimit of coverage due to theft or mysterious disappearance.  Check your specific policy because the limits can differ.

Go through each room throughout your entire property and make sure all items are accounted for. Remember to take into account any change in inflation over the period of time since it first came into your possession.

In order to properly value your possessions, you have to undergo the tedious and difficult process of creating good documentation of what you own. The following list could be very helpful in identifying what you own and, more importantly, be used as proof of loss in case disaster strikes.

If you print and complete this list, make a couple of copies, keeping one or two at a location away from your home. If you also want to keep a copy at your home, use an insulated safe (small ones are sold for in-home storage of important papers). Another good location is to put a copy in a plastic bag and keep it in your freezer (which can offer extra protection for non-food items).

Besides listing what you own, it's also good to do the following:

• take pictures of and/or videotape your possessions
• keep your sales receipts
• keep your warranty information
• get appraisals and keep them current (appropriate for expensive property)

For items which you don't have receipts or product information, include information on when and where you bought the property.

It may seem like a lot of work, but you'll be happy to have this gold mine of information to assist your insurer in giving you protection against loss of your possessions.

General Personal Property Inventory

Inventory completed by______________________

Date completed____________________________

$__________Sofa, couches, etc.

$__________Chairs

$__________Tables, end tables, etc.

$__________Desks, secretaries

$__________Chests, cabinets

$__________Cupboards, buffet, etc.

$__________Lamps

$__________Pictures, wall hangings

$__________Clocks

$__________Decorations

$__________Books

$__________Draperies, curtains, blinds

$__________Rugs

$__________CD players, DVD players and accessories

$__________Radios

$__________Televisions

$__________VCRs, Camcorders

$__________Home entertainment accessories (speakers, digital equipment)

$__________Computers, scanners, copiers, monitors, printers, speakers

$__________Other computer accessories

$__________Table linens

$__________China, chinaware

$__________Crystal, glassware

$__________Kitchen appliances

$__________Small appliances

$__________Cookware

$__________Cutlery, utensils, etc.

$__________Beds, mattresses

$__________Dressers, vanities

$__________Bedding, blankets, linens

$__________Bath towels, linens

$__________Suits (men's, women's)

$__________Coats (men's, women's)

$__________Dresses

$__________Jackets, sweaters

$__________Skirts, slacks

$__________Shirts, blouses

$__________Hats, gloves

$__________Purses, billfolds

$__________Costume jewelry

$__________Robes, lounging wear

$__________Shoes, boots, slippers

$__________Luggage

$__________Sports equipment

$__________Miscellaneous effects

$__________TOTAL Valuables and Treasures

$__________Fine jewelry (list items separately at the bottom of the page)

$__________Valuable furs (list items separately at the bottom of the page)

$__________Art treasures

$__________Silver, silverware

$__________Camera equipment

$__________Guns and accessories

$__________Musical instruments

$__________Stamp collection

$__________Coin collection

$__________TOTAL

$__________GRAND TOTAL OF ALL ABOVE

List specific items and value below:

$__________ item__________

$__________ item__________

$__________ item__________

$__________ item__________

$__________ item__________

$__________ item__________

$__________ item__________

$__________ item__________

$__________ item__________

$__________ item__________

$__________ item__________

$__________ item__________

$__________ item__________

$__________ item__________

$__________ item__________

$__________ item__________

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