How to Complete Your Marine Insurance Inventory Without Going Crazy

If you’ve ever looked at a marine insurance inventory form and immediately wanted to take a nap, you’re not alone.

Trying to list everything you own before moving to Israel can feel overwhelming fast. That’s why at Aliyah Lift Shipping, we often suggest what we call the “Large-Medium-Small” method.

The idea is simple: don’t start with the small stuff.

Start with the big and valuable items first.

That means things like:

• couches
• beds
• dining tables
• appliances
• expensive electronics

Go room by room and record the quantity and estimated replacement value of each item. Replacement value means what it would cost to replace the item in Israel today — not what you originally paid years ago.

Once the large items are finished, move on to the medium stuff:

• lamps
• rugs
• folding chairs
• side tables
• smaller appliances

Only after that should you deal with the smaller and more tedious items like:

• books
• clothes
• linens
• dishes
• kitchen items

That last category usually takes the longest, so many families spread it out over a few days.

One important tip: if similar items have very different values, insure them separately. For example:

• paperback books vs hardcover books
• crystal glasses vs regular cups
• Lenox dishes vs everyday dishes

The more accurate your inventory is, the better your insurance coverage can be.

Most importantly, don’t try to complete the entire inventory perfectly in one sitting. A steady and organized approach is usually the best way to keep your sanity during the moving process.