Think quickly—you must evacuate your house. Can you grab the most essential items now? What are they? Many of us have important documents in a file cabinet, but consider gathering the essential items and placing them in a fireproof box prior to an emergency, including the following:
• Titles of any vehicles
• Social Security cards
• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificate
• Loan paperwork on houses, cars, etc.
• Important numbers
• Keys to your safety deposit box
• Additional keys to vehicles and your home
• Copy of your will (an original should be kept in a security deposit box)
• Any investment plan documents (IRA plans, savings accounts for kids’ college, etc.)
Having these key financial documents in a fireproof box will provide you with the ability to grab them quickly. If all else fails, the fireproof box will protect these items if you cannot safely get to it.
Some people keep many files electronically these days, so also consider updating your financial profile and having it duplicated by a remote computer backup service.
