03 July 2008

If you were directly impacted by the recent tornados and floods in the Midwest, I am deeply sorry and hope that you and your loved ones are safe and can recover quickly. If, like me, you escaped the latest natural disaster without any major issues, we can certainly feel fortunate but may wonder “what if we aren’t so lucky next time?”

One step in being prepared is to organize vital records and documents so they can easily be located and transported if the need to evacuate occurs. This step is often ignored because of confusion about determining what is important. What follows will help you identify the types of records and documents that should be gathered.

Personal Records

Personal records are documents that prove identity and status and will expedite resources from banks, insurance companies and government agencies, as well as help locate family members or pets that become separated. Key documents include birth certificates, marriage certificates, passport, driver’s license or state issued identification, citizenship papers, recent photo of each family member clearly showing facial features and photo of family pet.


Financial Records

Critical financial documents are related to proving ownership, establishing value and controlling risk. Key documents in this area include bank statements, investment account statements, credit card statements, deeds of trust, mortgage and loan documents, escrow statements, certificates of title, stock certificates, leases, rental records, household inventory, social security documents, declaration pages of property, disaster and vehicle insurance policies, two year’s of tax returns and W-2 forms.


Legal Records

Key documents in this area include wills, durable power of attorney for management of property and personal affairs, trust documents, employment contracts, stock option agreements, separation/divorce records, custody agreements and adoption records.

Health Records

Natural disasters often cause medical emergencies and situations that must be solved immediately. Having proper health and medical records will be beneficial in emergency situations. Documents include health history, immunization records, copies of medical insurance cards (front and back), prescription information, health insurance policies, living will and durable power of attorney for heath care.