The news often shows the devastation left behind by hurricanes—entire neighborhoods submerged, homes reduced to rubble, and countless possessions lost forever. For those living in hurricane-prone areas, these images hit close to home. While you can’t prevent nature’s fury, you can prepare for its aftermath. One crucial step many overlook is documenting their belongings.
Failing to do so can turn a natural disaster into a financial and emotional nightmare. Here’s a story of what can happen when you’re unprepared and how to avoid this horror with a simple yet powerful habit.
A Family’s Nightmare
Imagine this: The Jackson family had lived in their coastal Florida home for 15 years after moving from Ohio. Like most people, they accumulated a lifetime of memories and belongings—furniture, electronics, clothing, heirlooms, and sentimental keepsakes. While they knew the risks of living near the Gulf, life was busy, and creating a home inventory was always on the “later” list.
Then Hurricane Irma hit. The storm destroyed much of their home, leaving the family to pick up the pieces. Filing an insurance claim seemed like a light at the end of the tunnel—until the adjuster asked for proof of ownership for their lost items.
In the chaos of evacuation, they hadn’t thought to grab receipts, photos, or videos of their belongings. They were left to estimate their losses from memory. As weeks dragged into months, disputes over the value of their claim emerged. The insurance company denied coverage for several high-value items, citing a lack of proof.
What could have been a relatively smooth recovery became a drawn-out, stressful battle. They lost thousands of dollars and many irreplaceable items. Their financial recovery was incomplete, but the emotional toll lingered.
Why Documenting Your Belongings Matters
The Jacksons' story isn’t unique, but it is preventable. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, documenting your belongings is one of the smartest moves you can make. Here’s why:
Accelerate Insurance Claims
After a hurricane, insurance companies face a surge of claims. Providing a detailed inventory with photos, videos, and receipts helps your claim stand out and speeds up the approval process.
Maximize Payouts
Insurance companies can only reimburse you for what you can prove you owned. Without evidence, you risk underestimations, disputes, or outright denials of high-value items.
Ease Emotional Recovery
Losing your belongings is stressful enough. A documented inventory gives you a clear recovery plan so you can focus on rebuilding rather than fighting over lost details.
Prepare for Disaster
Having a home inventory not only helps after the fact but also forces you to assess your insurance coverage. Many people discover they’re underinsured after a disaster strikes—a mistake you can avoid by evaluating the true value of your belongings.
How to Document Your Belongings
Creating an inventory doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small and build over time. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Pick a Method
Use a simple notebook, a spreadsheet, or an app like SaveOr to catalog your items. Apps often have the advantage of photo integration and easy updates.
Room-by-Room Documentation
Go through each room in your home and list items. Include furniture, electronics, appliances, décor, and clothing.
Photograph and Record Videos
Take clear, well-lit photos of each item. Videos are even better—walk through your home narrating the value and details of each piece.
Save Receipts and Appraisals
For high-value items like jewelry, artwork, or antiques, include purchase receipts or appraisals.
Record Details
For each item, note the following:
Name and description
Make, model, and serial number (if applicable)
Purchase date and price
Current estimated value
Back It Up
Store your inventory securely. Options include cloud storage, external hard drives, or apps with cloud syncing. The key is to ensure it’s accessible even if your home is damaged.
The Difference Documentation Makes
Take the case of the Chavez family, who faced Hurricane Milton. Unlike the Jacksons, they had prepared a detailed home inventory using photos, videos, and a simple spreadsheet. After the storm, their insurance claim was processed in weeks.
Because they had proof of ownership, they received the maximum reimbursement for their policy. Beyond the financial relief, having a plan reduced the stress of rebuilding their lives.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Hurricanes are unpredictable, but your preparedness doesn’t have to be. Documenting your belongings is a proactive step that protects you from unnecessary stress and financial loss.
The time to act is now. Whether you start with a notebook, a phone camera, or a user-friendly platform like SaveOr, the key is to start.
By creating a detailed inventory, you can face hurricane season confidently, knowing you’ve done everything possible to protect your home and your future.
Author:
Matthew Scola: Founder of SaveOr, an estate planning platform focused on helping families through challenging life events. His insights come from interviewing and working with families and professionals to find a solution to the challenges of downsizing, estates, and estate management.