After a house fire: how to list what you lost

Updated October 20, 2026

We built ii360 after watching a neighbor go through this. When the home across the street burned down, he had no inventory of what was inside. Even with a professional's help, the list he could put together covered only part of what he'd lost.

If you're facing that list now, you're not alone in finding it hard. Your insurer may ask for a written inventory of everything that was in your home^[1], and the emotions after a loss make it a real challenge to remember all your possessions^[2]. This guide breaks the job into steps. Take it one room at a time.

First things first

1. Call your insurance company and ask what to do first^[3].
2. Keep every receipt for what you spend from now on: lodging, meals, clothing and essentials. Your insurer may need them later^[3], and United Policyholders advises submitting them for reimbursement^[4].
3. Keep a claim diary, with notes of every conversation with your insurer: who you spoke to, when, and what was said^[4].
4. Ask how they want the list, and talk with them about how the value of your belongings will be worked out^[3]. Some states have special rules: for California wildfire claims, for example, no particular form is required, and similar items such as shoes or books can be grouped together^[5].

Rebuild the list, one room at a time

Break the job into rooms, or smaller parts of rooms^[5]. For each one, picture yourself walking in: the doorway, each wall, each shelf, each drawer and closet. Write down everything you see, however small. You can always add to the list later.

What helps you remember

• Your photos and videos. Phone camera rolls, cloud backups and family videos taken at home show your rooms and what was in them.
• Social media and online shopping. Your posts, friends' photos taken in your home, and order histories from online and big-box stores all jog your memory and support your list^[5].
• Bank and credit card statements, warranty registrations, and manuals for your appliances, which you can often find online.
• Other people. Family, friends and neighbors often remember things you've forgotten.
• A similar home. Walking through a friend's kitchen or garage can remind you of things you had too.

What to write for each item

• What it is, as specifically as you can: brand, model, size and color.
• How many you had.
• Roughly when you bought it, the month and year if you can, because age can affect the value.
• What it would cost to replace, with a photo or a link to a matching item if you can find one.
• Extra costs such as shipping, delivery, assembly and sales tax.

United Policyholders gives the same advice for each item^[5].

Where to get help

• United Policyholders, a nonprofit, publishes free guides and claim tips for people recovering from fires and other disasters^[4].
• A public adjuster can help prepare a claim, including the inventory, for a fee^[4].

How ii360 can help

If you have videos filmed inside your home before the fire, such as a birthday, a holiday or a video tour, ii360 can list the items it can see in them, each with a photo from the video and an estimated replacement cost. You can then edit the list and add what it missed. It won't capture everything, but it can give you a head start.

And once you're settled again, a short walkthrough of each room means you'll never have to rebuild a list from memory: see how to record a video home inventory.