A friend of mine had a pretty big house fire last month and lost quite a bit of items and it occured to me that I always hear that it would be a good idea to wrtie down and take photos of every thing or major items like tv's computers, etc that you would want to claim on insurance, etc if it got runined or stolen. Any one done this before?

I did that for my books, kitchen equipment, and clothes. I made a video tape, and audio tape, and a written list. Copies are with 3 friends.

Yes, I took pictures of everything when we moved into our house, cataloged all of our electronics and such. I got a book that had space for writing everything in it and pockets for photos, and keep everything in a fireproof safe.

Besides really obvious expencive stuff, what elce should I record or write down? It would be impossiable to track every thing I own. How do you know what is most important and least important?

Only you know what is important to you. But remember this - Everything you document is something that (with the right insurance coverage) you get reimbursed for in the event of loss.

Inventory electronics,this includes computer and related equipment (monitor, printer, scanner, external modem, router, etc and don't forget about listing software that did not come bundled in your computer.)Home entertainment (TV, VCR/DVD, stereo equipment (don't forget speakers/headphones, if you bought good ones and your CD/record/movie collections), Gaming equipment (and games/accessories).

Kitchen stuff-most policies assume a certain number of dishes, appliances, pans, knives, etc, so inventory only the really special items (commercial grade or specialty equipment, unusual numbers of pots, pans, etc. high end silverware or china) (for me, this is a critical category- it would run into the thousands to replace my cooking tools and my Fiestaware collection).

Furniture- The standard items (beds, sofas,etc) are generally assumed so inventory only unusually valuable items- leather sofa? Oriental rug? Antique walnut dining table?)

Art & Collectables- My husband's Hot Wheels collection could pay for two years at a decent university and my collection of rock & roll memorabilia could easily cover the other two, in style- For other folks, it's figurines or antique tools or cobalt glass or whatever- This catagory is hardest because this is where you need to catalog most carefully- pictures or video and a written inventory with updates added as your collection grows... if not documented, your treasured collection of patent medicine bottles could easily end up declined coverage or valued at 50c each.

Books- a few photos of the bookshelves will do to prove a rough number of books, unless you collect rare volumes, in which case document your treasures as above.(I would be heartsick if my Woolcotts, Parkers or Menckens perished in a fire or flood, but I would be reimbursed enough to make a good effort at replacing them)

Sporting equipment- Snowboards, bicycles, skis, golf clubs, camping/hiking gear, fishing equipment....
Household goods and clothing- most policies assume a certain number of towels, sheets, blankets, throw pillows,clothes, shoes,etc- so inventory only those items of unusual value- handmade quilts, custom slip covers, that outrageously expensive set of luggage and any unusually pricy clothing.

The last time I did so was during a spring cleaning project. I emptied out one room and photographed and catalogued each item as I returned it to its proper place, including, where I could, writing down serial numbers. A lot of work, but it felt good to have everythuing documented. I also walked through and did a videotape of the whole house, pointing out items of importance verbally.

We don't take photos. Except of the antiques.

Everything else we keep the receipt and paperwork for. I have a fireproof (rated for 8 hours ) safe/box thingy in which we keep all of our important documents, papers and some jewelry.

We do not have homeowners insurance, we have renters insurance, which also includes the truck and all of the tools I have in it (again I have the receipts of all of my tools).