How to Create an RV Home Inventory

Start with a visual walkthrough

Open cabinets, storage bays, closets, exterior compartments, and the toy-hauler garage if you have one. Take wide photographs or a slow video before creating the detailed list. The overview can help you remember items that are easy to overlook.

• Living and sleeping areas
• Kitchen and pantry
• Bathroom and linen storage
• Electronics and communications equipment
• Tools, towing equipment, and recovery gear
• Outdoor furniture, grills, bicycles, and recreation equipment
• Basement storage and exterior compartments

Record details that identify an item

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners recommends documenting belongings with photographs and organizing them by room or category. FEMA also recommends descriptions and the year, make, and model when appropriate.

• Item description and category
• Manufacturer, model, and serial number
• Purchase date and purchase price when known
• Current estimated replacement value
• Photograph showing the item and its condition
• Receipt, appraisal, warranty, or owner’s manual
• Usual storage location inside the RV

Prioritize the expensive and hard-to-identify items

Begin with electronics, tools, sporting equipment, generators, solar components, specialty kitchen equipment, bicycles, and installed upgrades. Then fill in everyday belongings. A useful inventory does not require assigning a value to every fork and washcloth.

Update it instead of rebuilding it

Review the inventory at least annually and whenever you add or remove important equipment. NAIC consumer guidance recommends updating an inventory when new items are purchased and reviewing photographs and videos annually.

Keep a backup away from the RV

An inventory stored only inside the RV may be unavailable after theft, fire, or storm damage. Maintain another secure copy outside the RV. RV Command Center Pro stores its working records locally, so include its data in your normal computer backup plan.