I came accross this article that was done back in July.
Taking Inventory of Home Inventory Apps
With all the recent wildfire activity in Arizona, it makes you wonder if your home was reduced to a pile of rubble, would you be able to list for your insurance agent everything you had in your house?
I spoke to an insurance agent recently about her own personal experience when someone broke in and stole several of her possessions. The insurance company asked her if she knew the model of or had a serial number for her laptop. She was not even sure which model she had let alone a serial number. While she eventually settled her claim, not having the correct information about her belongings made it a greater challenge.
The reality is whether it’s a wildfire in Arizona or a tornado in Oklahoma, disasters can turn your life upside down. It’s always best to be prepared!
So why don’t we all have home inventories tucked away in a fireproof lock box somewhere? Well the answer is simple – it seems like such a daunting task!
But it doesn’t have to be. There are several things you can do to make the process easier. The easiest way to do a home inventory is to take a video. Just walk through your house slowly and shoot video of everything from your electronics and appliances to your collectibles and jewelry, describing what you see as you go.
And since this is the age of the mobile device, of course there’s an app for that.
The MyStuff2 app for the iPhone and iPad is not a bad deal for $4. There’s also a simpler, free version called MyStuff2lite. Both appear to get good ratings, but are for Apple devices only.
Android phone users can check out the MyHomePro app, also $4. You can take pictures and even scan bar codes or type in a description.
A highly rated, but pricier app is the HomeInventory app for iPhones or iPads. But it comes at price: $19.
For those who prefer more of an “old school” approach, there’s Know Your Stuff.org. While it’s not an app, you can use your mobile device to access this free home inventory website to set up an account and create a home inventory, The site offers free, secure online storage of your inventory. Versions for both homeowners and business owners are available.
Any way you choose, try to keep a home inventory. It could make things a little easier on you at a time that you will appreciate that the most.
