Calculate the right personal property coverage for your homeowners insurance. Estimate total belongings value by room and category for proper coverage.
Personal property coverage (Coverage C) protects your belongings — furniture, electronics, clothing, appliances, and more — against covered perils like fire, theft, and storms. Most standard homeowners policies set Coverage C at 50–75% of your dwelling coverage, but this default may not match your actual needs.
Underestimating your personal property can leave you significantly short after a loss. The average American household has $100,000–$300,000 in belongings, but many homeowners carry far less coverage. Conversely, overestimating means paying unnecessary premiums.
This calculator helps you estimate your total personal property value by category so you can set an appropriate Coverage C limit. Remember, this is an educational estimate — consider doing a detailed home inventory for the most accurate result. Whether you are a beginner or experienced professional, this free online tool provides instant, reliable results without manual computation. By automating the calculation, you save time and reduce the risk of costly errors in your planning and decision-making process.
Most people drastically underestimate the total value of their belongings. Walking through each category — furniture, electronics, clothing, kitchen items — reveals a much higher total than intuition suggests. This calculator helps you build a realistic estimate to avoid underinsurance. Having a precise figure at your fingertips empowers better planning and more confident decisions.
Total Personal Property Value = Furniture + Electronics + Clothing + Kitchen + Other Items Recommended Coverage C = Total Value × 1.1 (10% buffer)
Result: $77,000 recommended Coverage C
Furniture ($25,000) + electronics ($15,000) + clothing ($10,000) + kitchen ($8,000) + other items ($12,000) = $70,000. Adding a 10% buffer for overlooked items gives a recommended Coverage C of $77,000.
Imagine replacing everything in your home — every piece of furniture, all clothing, every kitchen item, all electronics. The total is typically far more than people expect. A single bedroom of furniture and clothing can easily exceed $10,000.
Break your estimate into rooms and categories: living room furniture, bedroom sets, electronics in each room, kitchen appliances and cookware, clothing closets, bathroom items, garage tools, outdoor furniture, sports equipment, books, and decorations.
Always choose replacement cost value (RCV) coverage if available. The small additional premium is well worth it. With ACV coverage, depreciation can reduce your payout by 50–70% on older items, leaving you unable to replace what was lost.
Coverage C is the personal property portion of your homeowners policy. It covers your belongings (furniture, electronics, clothing, etc.) against covered perils like fire, theft, vandalism, and storms. It's separate from your dwelling coverage (Coverage A).
You need enough to replace all your belongings at current retail prices. The average household has $100,000–$300,000 in belongings. A room-by-room inventory is the best way to determine your actual amount. Don't rely on the default 50–75% of dwelling coverage.
Replacement cost value (RCV) pays to replace items at current retail prices. Actual cash value (ACV) deducts depreciation, so you get less. A 5-year-old $1,000 TV might pay $1,000 under RCV but only $400 under ACV. RCV coverage costs more but provides better protection.
Yes. Most policies have sub-limits for certain categories: jewelry ($1,500–$2,500), electronics ($5,000), firearms ($2,500), silverware ($2,500), and business equipment ($2,500). You need a scheduled personal property rider to cover items above these limits.
Yes. Most homeowners policies cover personal property worldwide, typically at 10% of your Coverage C limit for items away from your primary residence. This means your belongings are covered if stolen from your car, hotel room, or while traveling.
Keep a home inventory with photos, receipts, and serial numbers. Use a home inventory app or spreadsheet. Store documentation in the cloud or a safe deposit box. Without documentation, claims are harder to settle and you may receive less than your items were worth.