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Personal Property Inventory

Barbara Smith • December 11, 2020

Did You Need Something More On Your TO-DO List Before the End of the Year? 

You might be really glad you did it. You need to make a complete inventory of your home, inside and out, but only if you want to replace everything you own if you were to experience an unfortunate loss. Without a list or record of some kind of your belonging, the details of your valuables may easily be forgotten, which can create more frustration in an already stressful time. That is why it is important to have a Personal Property Inventory or PPI created ahead of time.

Ideally a PPI is a complete list of all your household goods and personal belongings. It would include:

  • Each item
  • Where it is located
  • Full description and quantity
  • Purchase date
  • Place of purchase
  • Original cost
  • Estimate of current value including serial and model numbers
  • Receipts and/or current appraisals for the most valuable items

Grab your phone and at a minimum take a video while describing every room and its contents and what you know about it. Start outside with the landscaping, go into the garage where your bikes and toys are and from there into your home. Make it a family project and everyone can describe what they are familiar with.

Once you have completed the inventory, make a copy, store it with receipts, appraisals and printouts AWAY from your home. UPDATE every year, the week before Christmas and New Year’s. I can’t tell you how glad you will be that you did if you experience an unfortunate loss and you have your Personal Property Inventory to refer to. BONUS: With this inventory you can determine if you have adequate Insurance Coverage for your possessions before they disappear.

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