Our personal property inventory FAQ covers common questions about our services, process, valuation, and inventory documentation. Whether you’re a homeowner recovering from a property loss or a public adjusting firm looking for a trusted documentation partner, we’re here to help.
Below are answers to some of the questions we hear most often.
General Questions
What does Recovery Documentation Services do?
Recovery Documentation Services specializes in preparing detailed personal property inventories for homeowners and public adjusting firms following residential property losses. We organize, document, and research personal belongings to create professional inventory reports that are ready to share with an insurance company or public adjuster.
How are inventory values determined?
Every inventory is prepared using industry-standard estimating software and includes estimated replacement cost value (RCV), depreciation, and actual cash value (ACV) calculations based on the documented items.
These estimates support the documentation process but do not determine insurance coverage, policy benefits, or settlement amounts. Final claim decisions remain the responsibility of the insurance carrier and, when applicable, the public adjuster.
Do you handle insurance claims?
No. We are not a public adjusting firm and do not negotiate insurance settlements, interpret policy coverage, or provide legal advice. Our expertise is creating accurate, organized personal property documentation.
What types of losses do you work with?
We assist with inventories following residential losses, including fire, smoke, water, storm, and other covered property damage events.
What areas do you serve?
We provide nationwide remote inventory documentation services for homeowners and public adjusting firms.
Using photographs, videos, receipts, and virtual meetings, we create detailed personal property inventories without requiring an on-site visit. Our remote process allows us to efficiently support clients throughout the United States.
Contact us to discuss your project and how we can best support your documentation needs.
Questions from Homeowners
Why should I hire Recovery Documentation Services instead of creating the inventory myself?
Creating a complete personal property inventory is far more involved than simply making a list of belongings. After a significant loss, most homeowners are asked to recall hundreds—or even thousands—of items from memory while coping with the emotional impact of the event.
Our structured process helps organize that information into a comprehensive, professional inventory. We assist with room-by-room documentation, detailed item descriptions, and, when appropriate, research of comparable replacement items. The result is a well-organized inventory that saves you time, reduces stress, and allows you to focus on your family’s recovery.
Why should I hire a documentation specialist?
Documenting personal property after a loss takes time, organization, and attention to detail. We guide you through the process, helping you remember belongings room by room and transforming that information into a professionally organized inventory that is easier to review and share.
Do I need to have receipts for everything?
No. While receipts, photographs, and purchase records are certainly helpful, most homeowners no longer have documentation for every item they own.
Recovery Documentation Services works with you to reconstruct your personal property inventory using the information that is available. This may include photographs, videos, purchase records, warranty information, credit card statements, family photos, emails, or simply your recollection of the contents of your home.
Our structured interview process is designed to help you remember items room by room, making it easier to build a thorough and organized inventory even when supporting documentation is limited.
Will you tell me what my insurance policy covers?
No. Questions regarding policy coverage should be directed to your insurance company or your public adjuster. Our role is to document your personal property as thoroughly and accurately as possible.
What information do you need from me?
Every project is different, but helpful information may include photographs, videos, receipts, purchase records, home inventories, warranty information, or simply your recollection of the items that were in your home. We’ll guide you through the process step by step.
How long does an inventory take?
The timeline depends on the size of the home, the number of items involved, and the complexity of the loss. After learning more about your project, we’ll provide an estimated turnaround time and keep you informed throughout the process.
Do you research replacement items?
Yes. When appropriate, we research comparable replacement items to support the documentation process and provide organized reporting.
Questions from Adjuster Partners
How does your business-to-business service work?
Recovery Documentation Services partners with public adjusting firms as an outsourced documentation specialist. We handle the inventory development process so your team can focus on client advocacy, negotiations, and case management.
Can you work with multiple files at the same time?
Yes. We can scale our services to support individual losses or multiple active projects, helping your firm manage changing workloads.
Will you communicate with my clients?
Yes, when requested. We communicate professionally, respectfully, and in a manner that reflects your firm’s standards. Our goal is to function as an extension of your team while supporting the relationships you’ve built with your clients.
Do you offer white-label support?
Yes. We understand that every firm has its own workflow and communication preferences. We’re happy to discuss white-label and collaborative service options that integrate seamlessly with your business.
What formats do you deliver inventories in?
We provide professionally organized digital inventory reports in the format that best fits your firm’s workflow, including Excel spreadsheets, PDF reports, and ESX files for firms using Xactimate®.
Still Have Questions?
Every property loss is different, and every client has unique needs.
Whether you’re a homeowner looking for guidance or a public adjusting firm seeking a dependable documentation partner, Recovery Documentation Services is here to help.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can simplify the documentation process with detailed inventories, dedicated support, and peace of mind.
