Now more than ever, it’s important to take great care of your home as well as the things most valuable to you.

So if you’re looking for useful activities to do while limiting your social interactions, here’s a good one: Create a home inventory.

This task will not only fill a couple of hours, but it will also help protect you from financial loss in the case of theft, a fire or another damaging event.

If you’re in the mood for a project, here’s what to know and how to get started:

Who should do a home inventory?

If you have homeowners or renters insurance, home inventories are key. Whether you have lots of expensive possessions or just a few essentials, it’s important to document anything of value (and anything you’d need to replace if it was lost).

What are the benefits?

In the event of something like a fire or a break-in, insurance companies need to know which items were lost or damaged. Without a home inventory, it can be tough to remember and report this information. Essentially, the claims process will be much smoother if you have documented proof of ownership to share.

How should you do your inventory?

Use your phone to take photos of the items you own. Create a folder or album with the name and estimated value of each item and store this information securely. You might also use one of the many home inventory apps currently available (search the app store to check out your options).

Is that all?

Once you complete a total home inventory, try to stay on top of any significant changes. For example, if you buy a new TV, take a photo of it and the receipt and add these to your existing inventory folder.

Hopefully you and your family are staying well. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything we can assist with.