Guides / Protect and plan
Home records and insurance
When something goes wrong, good records are what make a claim, a warranty repair or a future sale go smoothly. A little organizing now saves a lot of stress later.
What to check
- Home inventory
- Photograph or video every room, open closets and drawers, and note valuable items with serial numbers. Store a copy somewhere other than your house.
- Policy review
- Once a year, read your homeowners policy declarations page. Check your dwelling coverage, deductibles, and what is excluded.
- Improvement records
- Keep receipts and contracts for improvements. They can matter for resale and for taxes, so ask a tax professional what to keep.
- Warranties and manuals
- Keep warranty paperwork with purchase dates for appliances, roofing and windows.
- Service history
- Log every service call, repair and maintenance job with the date, the company and the cost.
- Important documents
- Keep deeds, policies and IDs in a fire-resistant safe or a secure digital vault, and make sure someone you trust knows how to access them.
When to do it
Update the inventory once a year and after big purchases. Review your policy before it renews.
Call a licensed professional for
- An insurance agent to review coverage limits and endorsements
- A public adjuster or attorney for large or disputed claims
- A tax professional about improvement records and home-related deductions
This guide is general information for US homeowners. Codes, climates and houses vary. It is not a substitute for an inspection or advice from a licensed contractor, and in an emergency call 911.