If disaster strikes and you need to make an insurance claim for your stored items, how easily could you provide a full list of what was stored? How would you prove value? This is where a digital inventory becomes your best friend – a simple, proactive step that could save you time, stress, and money in the future.
Why Create a Digital Inventory?
Insurers often require detailed proof of what was stored in a unit when assessing claims for theft, fire, flood, or damage. A digital inventory helps:
- Prove ownership
- Establish accurate valuations
- Speed up claims processing
- Ensure you're not under-insured
What Should a Digital Inventory Include?
- Item name & description
- Photographs (multiple angles if possible)
- Estimated value or receipt image
- Purchase date (if known)
- Category (e.g. furniture, electronics, heirlooms)
Tools You Can Use
You don’t need expensive software. Try these simple tools:
- Google Sheets or Excel: Create your own columns and insert photo links
- Home Inventory apps like Sortly, Encircle or MyStuff2
- Evernote: Take pictures and add notes
- Airtable: For a visual spreadsheet with easy upload options
Make sure you back up your inventory in the cloud (e.g. Google Drive, Dropbox) or send it to yourself via email.
Linking Inventory to Insurance
Having an up-to-date inventory helps you:
- Check you’re not over or underinsured
- Understand your policy limits
- Support your claim with visual evidence
Final Tip
Update your inventory regularly! Every time you add or remove something from storage, tweak the list and take new photos if needed.
Next steps
To get an idea of the cost of storage insurance – have a look at our free quote system online.
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