Home contents insurance report: what to include, with an example

An insurance report is one document listing what was lost or damaged, with photos, purchase prices, purchase dates and receipts. You attach it to your claim. Your insurer doesn’t have to dig through loose photos and e-mails, and you show what you had, what it cost and what happened, all in one place.

What to include

On the cover:

• your name and address;
• your policy number and the claim number you get when you report the claim;
• what happened and when, for example “Burglary, 3 October”;
• how many items the report covers, and what they cost in total.

For each item:

• a photo, ideally from before the damage;
• what it is, with brand and model;
• the quantity;
• when and where it was bought, and what it cost;
• which receipt or other proof belongs to it;
• its status: stolen, lost, damaged or destroyed.

As attachments:

• the receipts, labelled so it is clear which item each one belongs to;
• a copy of the police report for burglary and theft, which insurers such as Storebrand ask for;
• photos of the damage and the scene;
• documents from after the event, such as repair quotes or the price of a new item.

Making one without an app

1. Fill in a home inventory with what was lost or damaged.
2. Give each item a number, and use the same number in the receipt’s file name.
3. Put the list, the photos and the receipts together in one PDF, for example with a word processor.
4. Put the policy and claim numbers at the top, and send it with your claim.

It works, but it takes time, and it is easy to lose track when many items are involved.

Making one in HYSI

1. Go to “Tools” and choose “Insurance report”.
2. Choose what it covers: the whole household, one place (such as the storage room or the cabin) or only the items that were lost or damaged.
3. Fill in the cover: name, address, policy number and claim number. All of it is optional.
4. For a claim, add what happened and give each item a status. You can attach photos of the damage and documents from after the event.
5. Tap “Make report”. When it is ready, send it by e-mail or save it wherever you like.

The report is a PDF with a table of contents by place, a card for each item and the receipts attached, with links between the items and the receipts. It shows only what you have recorded and never makes up values.

Example: a burglary at the Nordmann family’s

The example report (in Norwegian) was made in HYSI for a made-up household, after a burglary while the family was at their cabin. Over 16 pages it shows:

• the cover with the policy number, claim number and event;
• three key figures: 6 items, a documented value of NOK 140,869, and receipts for 5 of the 6;
• the event with its time, when it was discovered, the police report number and what happened;
• the items by status: three stolen and three damaged;
• the documents from after the event: repairs, the price of a new item and other expenses;
• a card for each item, and the receipts attached.

Tips for a good report

• Photograph your things before anything happens, ideally with the rating plate or brand visible.
• Record the price, date and shop for anything of value, and keep the receipt.
• Choose only the items the claim is about. After a burglary, report what was taken, not everything you own.
• Make a report for the whole household now and then, and keep it outside your home.

Gjensidige recommends keeping photos and lists in cloud storage so they are not lost in the same fire or burglary. See also what to do after a burglary, fire or water damage.