When the water goes down, the urge is to start hauling. Wait long enough to document. A flood claim for your belongings rests on photos and a contents list, and both are easiest before cleanup starts.
What goes on a flood damage inventory?
Before you throw anything out, photograph each damaged room and item, note the waterline, and list every item with a description, age, price and proof, then ask the adjuster what they need you to keep.
| Room | Item | Brand and model | Age | Price paid | Damage | Kept or discarded | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basement | Storage bins of holiday decor | Assorted | 5 years | Not sure | Bins filled with water | Discarded after photos | Yes |
| Basement | Chest freezer | GE 7 cu ft | 3 years | $329 | Water above the motor | Kept for adjuster | Yes |
| Living room | Area rug | 8 by 10, wool | 2 years | $480 | Soaked, smells | Sample kept, rest discarded | Yes |
| Garage | Table saw | SKIL 10 inch | 4 years | $399 | Rust on the table | Kept for adjuster | Yes |
FEMA's flood claims checklist asks for a similar list: descriptions, values, make, model and serial number, quantity, approximate age and replacement cost (checked October 14, 2026).
Before cleanup: photograph everything
- The waterline on walls, furniture and appliances.
- Each room wide, from the doorway.
- Each damaged item close up, plus the serial plate on appliances and electronics.
- A slow video walk-through, talking as you go.
FEMA's guide to documenting flood damage says to take pictures and video of damaged items before cleaning, fixing or throwing them out. For the shots that matter most, see the photos a claim needs.
What to keep and what you can toss
Health comes first. Spoiled food and moldy fabric are a risk, and FEMA's guide says to photograph them and then throw them away. For everything else, the checklist says not to discard anything before the adjuster sees it unless it is a health hazard or local law requires it, and to keep samples such as carpet, flooring or blinds if you must throw things out. Ask your adjuster before you toss anything in between. Your policy decides.
Room by room: what people forget
- Basement storage bins and boxes under the stairs.
- Boxes under beds.
- Garage tools, the lawn mower and the second fridge.
- The washer, dryer and freezer.
- The furnace, HVAC unit and water heater.
Proof of value
Receipts are best, but they are often the first thing to get soaked. Order confirmation emails, card statements, manuals, manufacturer accounts and older photos where an item shows up all help. Write down what you remember about where and when you bought it.
Flood vs water damage coverage
These are not the same claim. FEMA's flood insurance site says most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, and flood insurance is a separate policy. A burst pipe and a river in the basement can be treated very differently. Read your own policy, or ask your agent which one applies to you.
Keeping the list in one place
Vorby can turn one wide photo of a shelf or pile into one entry per item, which helps when a whole basement needs logging. Attach receipts and manuals to each item as photos or PDFs, or forward order emails to your Vorby address to bring in the price, date and receipt. Then export your list as CSV or Excel for the adjuster, or share a read-only link.
Vorby can suggest an estimated value from an item's photo, with a confidence level. It is an estimate only, not what your insurer will pay.
If the water hasn't reached you yet, prepare before the next storm, and see home inventory for insurance claims.
The best flood inventory is the one you made while the house was dry. Photograph each room in Vorby today.
Get Vorby on the App Store or start your inventory on the web. Vorby is free to start; paid plans are $7 a month or $60 a year, with a 14-day trial.
FAQ
What should I photograph for an insurance adjuster after a flood?
Before any cleanup, photograph the waterline on walls, each room wide, then each damaged item close up. FEMA's flood insurance site also lists structural damage and the serial numbers on electronics and appliances. A video walk-through helps too.
Can I throw away flood damaged items before the adjuster comes?
Photograph and list them first, then ask your insurer. FEMA's flood claims checklist says not to discard anything before the adjuster sees it unless it is a health hazard or local law requires it, and to keep samples such as carpet if you must throw things out.
What should a water damage contents list include?
For each item: the room, what it is, brand and model, serial number if you have it, approximate age, what you paid, what the damage is, and whether you kept it or threw it out, plus a photo.
How do I prove what I owned if receipts were ruined?
Look for order emails, card and bank statements, older photos where the item shows, manuals and manufacturer accounts. Describe each item in detail and ask the adjuster what proof they accept.
