Your home inventory is probably worth more than you remember
An item-by-item replacement estimate is more useful than an old insured sum copied at renewal.
Count the ordinary things
An inventory is not limited to expensive electronics and jewellery. Clothes, kitchen equipment, bedding, children’s belongings and sports items can add up to a substantial replacement need. Start room by room and use categories if listing every small item is impractical. The estimate should describe what it would cost to replace comparable belongings under the policy’s valuation rules, not what you originally paid years ago. Preserve the method so it can be updated rather than restarting after every major purchase.
Read the valuation and limits
Ask how replacement value, repair costs and any depreciation work for each relevant category. A large overall sum does not necessarily remove a jewellery or electronics sublimit. Conversely, insuring an individual item separately can create overlap that needs coordination. Read underinsurance clauses and any waiver conditions carefully. Do not present a proportional reduction formula as universal unless it is actually in the agreement. The amount at risk depends on the policy’s settlement rules and the real inventory at the time of loss.
Hypothetical total-loss exercise
Suppose a household’s room-by-room estimate is CHF 75,000 while an old policy shows CHF 45,000. The CHF 30,000 difference flags a review; it does not by itself calculate the insurer’s settlement. A hypothetical fire affecting all belongings exposes the importance of the maximum sum, while a partial loss may be governed by other clauses. Request a worked explanation from the insurer. These illustrative figures are not recommended sums for a particular apartment size or family.
Store evidence independently
Keep dated photos, purchase invoices, serial numbers and appraisals for important items in a secure location outside the home. Avoid recording unnecessary personal data or leaving the only copy on a laptop that could be stolen. For shared belongings, identify ownership and where they are usually kept. An inventory should help substantiate a claim, not become an impossible administrative burden. Update categories after meaningful changes and preserve older versions when an insurer needs to understand the history.
Review storage and special possessions
A cellar, garage or secondary location may have different limits and risk conditions. Record items stored there and ask about cover at those addresses. High-value collections deserve a separate review of valuation, security and item-specific terms. Do not assume a movable possession is insured everywhere simply because it appears in the inventory. When items are lent, transported or used professionally, request confirmation of those circumstances. The physical list and the insurance-location rules are complementary parts of the same exercise.
Connect the inventory to renewal
At renewal, compare the updated estimate with the insured sum and sublimits before comparing premiums. Ask the insurer to explain any indexing and whether it matches your actual changes. Adjust the contract when appropriate and retain confirmation, not just the submitted request. A well-maintained inventory also improves a moving plan and emergency preparation. The aim is a defensible insured amount with useful evidence, leaving the household able to replace essential belongings after a serious covered loss.
Sources and further reading
Original Clearwise analysis. External reporting provides context; rules and contract terms must be verified with the competent authority or provider. Some press articles may require a subscription.
Apply this to your situation
Compare your actual documents and clarify what matters before making a commitment.
Request a free consultationGeneral guidance, not a binding quote or personalised legal, tax or investment advice. Examples are hypothetical and results are not guaranteed.
