After a fire, people are asked to list everything they owned, room by room, often from memory and under stress. Insurers usually want descriptions, ages and quantities. A video walk-through recorded before anything happens answers many of those questions and jogs your memory for the rest.
In the Pikes Peak region, a sensible time to update it is early spring, before the dry, windy months, and again before summer. Save copies somewhere that won't burn with the house.
Room-by-room recording checklist
Narrate as you film: say what things are, roughly when you bought them, and anything notable such as brand or model.
- Open every closet, cabinet and drawer and pan slowly across the contents
- Film model and serial number labels on appliances, electronics and tools
- Record artwork, rugs, collections and heirlooms up close, with any signatures
- Include the garage, shed, attic and crawlspace storage
- Film outdoor items: grills, patio furniture, bikes, kayaks, trailers, landscaping
- Capture the house itself: flooring, countertops, cabinets, fixtures and upgrades
- Record the exterior from all sides, including fences and outbuildings
- Photograph receipts or appraisals for high-value items
Where to keep copies
| Storage option | Pros | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud storage account | Reachable from anywhere, survives a total loss | Make sure another household adult can log in |
| Relative or friend outside the area | Simple and independent of your accounts | Keep it updated each year |
| Safe deposit box | Secure for original documents | Not reachable on weekends or during an evacuation |
| Fire-resistant home safe | Quick to grab | May not protect digital media in a long, hot fire |
| Go bag drive | Leaves with you when you evacuate | Only helps if the bag actually goes with you |
Documents to copy along with the video
- Homeowners or renters policy with all endorsements
- Mortgage statement and servicer contact information
- Deed, title for vehicles and trailers, and any HOA documents
- House plans or a floor plan sketch with room sizes
- Records of recent upgrades such as roofing, kitchen or windows
- Medical and prescription information for everyone in the household
Common questions
- How detailed does the inventory need to be?
- Detailed enough that you could describe each item to an adjuster: what it is, roughly when you got it and what it would take to replace. Narrated video usually covers that faster than a written list.
General information for Colorado Springs, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.