Protect Your Documents

How to Protect Your Documents

One of the most important things to secure during a hurricane, and the most overlooked, is your important documents. Here are a few things to remember:

Store originals in a safe-deposit box at a bank.
Choose a bank some distance from your home to reduce the risk of both places suffering the same disaster.
Get a listing of all of your bank’s locations, addresses and phone numbers.
Copy all the documents in the safe-deposit box and place them in an evacuation box (preferably a fire-proof box).
Store your evacuation box some place you can get to easily. Take it with you if you evacuate.
Update documents in both boxes once or twice a year.
Write instructions concerning health and financial decisions for your family in the event you become incapacitated.
If you own a home, consider opening a home equity line of credit so emergency funds will be available.
FOR EVACUATION BOX ONLY:
Safe-deposit box information (location, contents and key) Cash, a few rolls of quarters and traveler’s checks

SAFE-DEPOSIT BOX OR EVACUATION BOX:

• Insurance policies (life, auto, homeowners, renters, etc.)
• Copies of health insurance information (insurance card, doctor’s name and number, prescriptions, allergies and immunizations)
• Photocopy of driver’s license
• Birth, Death and Marriage certificates
• Social Security card
• Passport
• Will and living will
• Mortgage/property deeds
• Adoption papers
• Military records
• Car titles
• Trust documents
• Tax return(s)
• Written instructions for family members
• List of emergency contacts, (family, friends, lawyer, financial advisors, etc.)
• Personal property inventory (item description, serial number, receipt and photograph or video)

OTHER DOCUMENTS TO CONSIDER:

• Home improvement records /receipts
• Warranties and receipts for major purchases
• Appraisals of jewelry, collectibles, artwork, etc.
• Credit card records
• Retirement account records
• Recent checking, savings and investment account statements
• Rental agreement and/or lease
• Recent pay stub and employee benefits information
• Backup disks of critical computerized information
• Negatives of irreplaceable personal photographs (with protective plastic sleeves)

sharing test