Why You Need a Printed Inventory for Insurance Claims
Disasters happen when we least expect them. Learn why having a printed, up-to-date inventory list of your storage items is the ultimate insurance safety net.
We all like to think that our homes are safe fortresses. But the reality is that life is unpredictable. Fires, floods, burglaries, and natural disasters can happen to anyone. In the aftermath of such a stressful event, the last thing you want to do is fight with your insurance company.
The "Memory Test" You Will Fail
Imagine this: You've just lost everything in a house fire. You are standing in the ashes, or maybe in a hotel room, and the insurance adjuster asks you to list every single item you owned, when you bought it, and how much it cost.
Could you do it? Most people can't.
It is easy to remember the big things—the TV, the sofa, the fridge. But what about the contents of the 15 totes stored in your attic? The holiday decorations, the camping gear, the vintage clothes? Without a list, those items often go unclaimed, meaning you get paid thousands of dollars less than you deserve.
Why "Printed" Matters
We live in a digital world, and keeping a digital inventory (like in Tote-Pilot!) is the best first step. But having a physical, printed copy stored in a fireproof safe or off-site (like at a relative's house) adds a crucial layer of redundancy.
- Digital Access Issues: If your phone or computer is destroyed in the disaster, or if power/internet is out for weeks, you might not be able to access your digital records immediately.
- Immediate Proof: Handing an adjuster a professional-looking, itemized PDF list puts you in a position of authority and organization instantly.
How Tote-Pilot Solves This
This is exactly why we built the PDF Export feature. You don't need to spend weekends typing into a spreadsheet.
1. Scan & Log: Use Tote-Pilot to snap photos and inventory your storage bins.
2. Generate Report: Go to your profile and export a full inventory report.
3. Print & Protect: Print a copy for your safe and email a digital copy to your insurance agent.
It takes seconds to print a list today, but it could save you thousands of dollars and endless headaches tomorrow. Secure your inventory now.