House Fire Loss Inventory Checklist For Houston Insurance Claims
Your homeowners insurance pays for what you list. Not what you lost. This home inventory checklist helps you remember the things people forget, room by room.
Free and independent. Some partners pay us, which never affects our guides. How we make money.
The Short Answer
- List everything, room by room, including small items.
- No receipts? Use photos, bank statements and online order history.
- Ask your adjuster for every deadline in writing.
How To Use This Checklist
- Photograph first, before cleanup. Take dated photos and video of every room. Wear protective gear if you go in.
- Go room by room. Close your eyes. Picture each wall, shelf and drawer.
- List everything, even small stuff. Furniture, electronics, clothing, jewelry, tools.
- Add details: description, brand, model, age, quantity, condition and damage.
- Add the money: the purchase price and the replacement cost.
- Don't throw anything out until the insurance adjuster has seen it.
A spreadsheet works fine. So does a home inventory app on your phone. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has offered a free one. Check your app store to see if it's still there.
Room-By-Room Inventory
Kitchen: Appliances, pots and pans, dishes, small appliances, pantry food, cleaning supplies
Living room: Sofa, chairs, TV and electronics, rugs, lamps, decor, books, games
Bedrooms: Beds and mattresses, dressers, clothes, shoes, jewelry, sheets
Bathrooms: Towels, toiletries, medicine, hair tools, storage
Kids' rooms: Furniture, clothes, toys, school supplies, electronics
Home office: Computer, printer, desk, chair, files, supplies
Garage and outdoor: Tools, lawn equipment, bikes, grills, patio furniture
Closets and storage: Seasonal items, luggage, holiday decor, keepsakes
Basement: Storage bins, washer and dryer, sports gear, tools, holiday decor
Get The Printable Checklist
Get the printable version with space for each item's age, where you bought it and what it costs to replace.
Proving Value Without Receipts
No receipts? That's normal after a fire. Use these instead:
- Old phone photos and videos (look in the background)
- Bank and credit card statements
- Online order history
- Warranty cards and manuals
- Family photos from birthdays and holidays at home
- Social media posts that show your rooms
Photos, receipts and purchase history all count as proof of ownership.
Protect Your List
Losing your list twice would be brutal. Back it up. Save a PDF to the cloud, email a copy to yourself, and keep a paper copy somewhere safe, like a safe deposit box. Keep a claim log of every call with your insurer, too.
In a total loss, this list is your whole contents claim. If it's long, a public adjuster can help you price it.
Claim Deadlines In Texas
Your policy sets the deadline for your list and for any sworn "proof of loss." Miss it and your payout can shrink. Ask your adjuster for every deadline in writing.
Contact the Texas Department of Insurance at 1-800-252-3439 to confirm your rights if a deadline is unclear.