When someone accidentally damaged the painting, the owner had to pay for repairs himself. When you make an inventory, start at one point in the room and go all the way around, listing everything. The more complete the information, the more valuable it will be. Include information such as initial cost, model numbers, brand names and descriptions. Take photographs of the room and special items so that identifying or replacing them will be easier.
Videotapes make excellent inventories.
Be sure to include the basement, garage and attic. Estimate the replacement cost for each item and add up the total to determine how much insurance you should have. As you take inventory, mark your property with some identification. Your police department may have a special identification program. You can also purchase engravers to mark items with a code you think up.