BIDDEFORD — As you tackle your spring cleaning this year, taking time to make an inventory of your valuable household possessions could save you time and money if your home is burglarized or damaged by fire or severe weather, according to a local insurance authority.

A 2014 poll by Insurance Journal magazine found that homeowners insurance claims are handled 50-100 percent faster when customers have a completed home inventory. For consumers, this means a settlement could be reached several weeks sooner if they have an up-to-date inventory on hand.

With this in mind, P&C Insurance of Biddeford and its insurance carrier partner, The Hanover, are offering tips on how to create a home inventory.

”¢ List everything. First, go through each room, listing major items. Include the purchase date and price, if known. Make copies of receipts ”“ storing them outside of your home if possible. Include serial numbers for appliances, electronics and other large items.

Ӣ Take photos or videos. Open all closet and cabinet doors. Stand in the center of each room and take one picture of each wall or scan the room with a video camera.

Ӣ Update regularly. Keep your inventory up-to-date. List and photograph new purchases and gifts as they arrive in your home. Delete items you no longer own.

More than half of consumers do not have an inventory of their possessions, a 2014 survey from the Insurance Information Institute found. The good news is that there are new tools available to help consumers quickly and effectively create a home inventory. Most allow you to use your computer or smartphone to create an inventory of your possessions and store it in a safe online account.

Josh Fearon, vice president of business insurance at P&C, suggests using the My Hanover Inventory program, which is a free and easy-to-use web-based tool. Fearon says most people that have home inventories haven’t updated them in more than a year, meaning new purchases and gifts may not be covered. Make a habit of updating your inventory in the spring and fall.

Check in with your insurance agent to ensure the items on the list are insured. Some homeowners policies will have limited coverage on jewelry, collectibles or other expensive valuables, so these items should be insured separately. P&C can assess your coverages and offer valuable advice to help protect you and your belongings.