Home Inventory Apps
Insurance company will ask. Have it ready.
Apple Notes (built-in)
FREEUse built-in iPhone Notes. Make a folder. Photo each room. List items. Done.
Best simple.
Sortly
FREE basic / $50/year PlusBest dedicated home inventory app. Barcode scanning, room labels, value tracking.
Best overall.
Encircle (was Magic Home Inventory)
FREEFree, simple. Photo + list. Built for insurance claims.
Best free.
Nest Egg (Inventory)
FREE / $5 ProTracks value over time. Receipts. Senior-friendly UI.
Best UI.
Microsoft Excel/Numbers
FREEOld-school spreadsheet. Item, room, value, date bought. Save photos in folders.
Best for spreadsheet fans.
Why bother
After a fire, theft, or flood — insurance asks for a list of what you owned, value, and proof. Without inventory, claims drop 40-60%. With photos and receipts — full payout.
2-hour quick inventory
- Walk through each room with phone.
- Open each closet, drawer, cabinet.
- Take VIDEO of each room (faster than photos).
- Narrate as you go: "Dell XPS laptop, 2022, $1,200. 65" Samsung TV, 2024, $800."
- Open jewelry boxes — high-value items individually photographed.
- Save video to iCloud + email a copy to yourself.
- Re-do once a year.
High-priority items to document
- TVs, computers, tablets, phones (with serial numbers).
- Jewelry (with appraisals if any).
- Watches, art, collectibles.
- Tools, power equipment, lawn mower.
- Designer handbags, fur coats.
- Antiques and inherited items (these need separate appraisals for full coverage).
- Firearms — list make, model, serial.
- Musical instruments.
Save receipts
- Snap photo of receipt right after purchase. Save to Photos, Receipts album.
- Or scan to Apple Notes / Google Drive.
- Email receipts — keep a "Receipts" email folder forever.
- Box with original packaging in basement = also proof.
Where to keep the inventory
Cloud (iCloud, Google Drive). Separate USB drive at a relative's house. NOT just on your phone — that burns in the same fire as the house. Email a copy to your home insurance agent so they have it on file.