Protecting what tells your story: A conversation with Chubb and TakeStock Inventory about why home inventories matter

A conversation between Chubb’s Danielle Markovitz, Vendor Relationship Manager, and Marian Haggar Bryan, Co-Founder and CEO, TakeStock Inventory

People take pictures to capture unique moments that tell a story, show something beautiful, or document an important event. Similarly, items in a home often reflect memories, milestones, and achievements in life; they carry both emotional and monetary value. Think of your favorite vintage coat, or a collectible vase handed down by your grandparents, or even a cherished set of golf clubs. These items deserve to be protected.

Now, imagine trying to list everything you own. Each item holds meaning and value, but when put to the test, could you remember every single possession? Your mental list will be incomplete and even inaccurate. But knowing what you own matters.

This is why creating and maintaining a home inventory is so important. A home inventory is a comprehensive list of all your household’s possessions. Having a detailed list of what you own—and the estimated value of each item—will help you determine how much insurance coverage you need.

To highlight the benefits of a home inventory, Chubb’s Danielle Markovitz sat down with TakeStock Inventory’s Co-Founder and CEO, Marian Haggar Bryan, to learn valuable insights on the importance of documenting what matters most. TakeStock Inventory is a nationally recognized home inventory company whose mission is to protect your most cherished belongings with expert asset documentation, valuation, and management services.

Danielle:
What are the key benefits of a home inventory?

Marian:
A home inventory isn’t just about having a list—it’s about ensuring that homeowners are fully prepared if they ever need to file a claim. It removes uncertainty, helps streamline the claims process, and serves as a valuable tool for estate planning, asset protection, and financial management.

Three key benefits include:

• Streamlining insurance claims – Having detailed records makes it easier to verify losses and ensures that settlements accurately reflect the value of belongings.
• Facilitating estate planning and wealth management – Your home inventory can help simplify asset distribution, reducing disputes and ensuring a smooth transfer of property.
• Supporting risk management and asset protection – A detailed home inventory helps homeowners and their financial advisors make informed coverage decisions, preventing both overpayment and underinsurance.

Danielle:
What role does insurance play in helping protect personal property, and why is accurate documentation important when filing a claim?

Marian:
Insurance provides a critical safety net, but most policies estimate the value of personal property as a percentage of a home’s dwelling coverage—typically between 60% and 75%. But this may mean that your coverage is inaccurate:

• If the estimate is too low, homeowners could find themselves underinsured in the event of a loss.
• If it’s too high, they might be paying for coverage they don’t actually need.
   

When it comes to filing a claim, accurate documentation is key. While coverage is designed to help replace lost or damaged belongings, the claims process relies on the homeowner to provide details about what was lost. Without clear records—such as photos, receipts, or an inventory—this process can become more difficult. Recovering the full value of belongings can take longer or result in unexpected gaps in coverage.

While insurance offers essential coverage, the best outcomes happen when homeowners and insurers work together. By proactively documenting belongings, homeowners take an important step toward ensuring that in any situation, they have the information needed to secure the full value of their coverage. TakeStock Inventory makes it easy to get started. Our team handles the entire home inventory process, providing a secure, professionally documented record of your belongings.

Danielle:
How does TakeStock Inventory help?

Marian:
With nearly a decade of experience, TakeStock Inventory works with homeowners, insurance professionals, and estate planners to provide a streamlined, professional approach to home inventory documentation.

• Professional specialists visit the property, capturing high-quality photos and documenting essential details about belongings.
• AI-powered tools estimate the value of items.
• Inventories are securely stored in an encrypted digital portal, accessible 24/7.
   

By having an up-to-date home inventory, homeowners can feel confident that their insurance coverage aligns with what they actually own. In the unfortunate event of a loss, having this documentation ensures a smoother claims process and a stronger foundation for financial protection.