A picture is worth a thousand words

It often helps to photograph or videotape your possessions, especially if the items are hard to adequately describe on paper or if you don't have a receipt. If you use a camera, label each photo with information about the item shown. If you use a camcorder, provide a commentary about each item in view. Date-stamp your video or take a shot of the date on that day's newspaper.

Safeguard and update your inventory

An inventory--whether it takes the form of a written list, a series of photographs, or a videocassette--will do you no good if it's lost in a fire or has otherwise vanished. Although you may want to have a copy of your inventory at home, you should also store a copy in a secure location, such as a safe-deposit box or your office at work. Include copies of your receipts and other supporting documentation. Finally, you should update your inventory at least annually to make sure that it accurately reflects your home's contents.