My home burnt down on November 24 and the insurance company counted everything as a total loss.
We have great insurance through State Farm and they sent us the link to a portal to begin making claims for the lost items. I was just curious how detailed I should be when doing this. For example, I have over 250 books that were on my bookshelf and I’m curious if I need to list each individual book or if I should group them in altogether and create a guess on how much they all were together. Also, I’m sure that there are definitely going to be things that we forget to list an inventory so I just need advice on how to go about this as I am just flustered and my family has delegated me to do this, and they are handling the mitigation of the house and the rebuild. I am just very flustered and don’t know where to start and don’t wanna miss anything.
Any help is appreciated. Thank you so much.
How Detailed Should I Be When Claiming Items?
byu/Ok_Doctor_2512 inInsurance
Posted by Ok_Doctor_2512
3 Comments
When I did ce (auto adjuster not home) it was suggested that you be as detailed as possible in the claim. This helps determine the actual value, not just an average. If you have any photos of the items, or know the titles, use that. Especially anything that you have a photo of that was damaged/destroyed, list specifics. I am so sorry this happened to you and I hope you have a calm 2026.
Very detailed. For example – microwave.
You’ll get a $30 microwave.
Vs Emerson Professional Stainless Steel series $150
By no means lie, but if you are generic and basic, that’s what you’ll get.
Very detailed. You will forget stuff. List everything you can remember. Look at photos. Picture opening a drawer and the things in it. Every pen, paper clip, old candle, books, shoes, etc. You are owed for it all. It is a lot of work. Take your time. Try not to get burned out.
Sorry for your loss.