10 Documents You'll Need if Disaster Strikes

Where to Store Your Documents

The Dolans Say: For all important documents, it's critical that you keep them in a safe, secure and easily reachable location. We recommend you keep one copy in your home in a watertight container in a secure spot. If you have a fire-proof or built-in safe, that's ideal. Within that safe, keep these documents all together in a small enough container that you can grab and take with you in case of an evacuation. It's also a good idea to keep a second set of these documents in a safe-deposit box. That way, you are covered if the copy in your home is destroyed.

Next: Important Phone Numbers

Important Phone Numbers

The Dolans Say: Write down the following phone numbers on one sheet of paper and put them in your Emergency Packet:

1. Emergency contact phone numbers for friends and family who might be impacted by the disaster so you can stay in touch.

2. A 24-hour emergency phone number for your property insurance agent -- homeowner's, auto and boat -- and your health insurer.

Next: School Records

School Records

The Dolans Say: Before Katrina, most people didn't think about this one, but be sure you pack a copy of your children's school records with your important documents. Although it's difficult to think about, in a true catastrophe, it's possible that your children may no longer have a school to return to. A staggering 327,000 school age children could not return to their schools after Katrina and had to enroll elsewhere. Simply contact the school and ask for a copy.

Next: Medical Records

Medical Records

The Dolans Say: Like school records, you may be asked to provide immunization records or other documents related to your health in order to get into a new school or even possibly into a shelter, depending on the type of disaster you are dealing with. Contact your doctor and ask for a copy of your immunization records and any other documents related to special health needs. Be sure to get a copy of your newest records at your annual doctor's visit.

Next: Proof of Identification

Proof of Identification

The Dolans Say: Keep a photocopy of your photo IDs, driver's license, social security cards and passports with your crucial documents. Keep the hard copies with you and make sure you have copies tucked away in a safe place like a safe deposit box. The last thing you want is to be stranded during or after a crisis without ways to prove who you are. Besides needing them immediately for things like food and shelter, you may need them in the post-disaster recovery.

Next: Family Emergency Plan

Family Emergency Plan

The Dolans Say: Your family plan is an absolutely critical document to tuck away in your Emergency Packet. Make sure you also send one to all family members. Plus, send a copy to school attached to your child's emergency contact form so that your child's school knows how to find your family. For more on what to include in your family's emergency plan, visit Dolans.com to watch our disaster planning video.

Next: Bank Information

Bank Information

The Dolans Say: Make a list of all of your bank, brokerage and credit card accounts with your account number and a phone number for each. Make sure you have the main bank phone number as well as your local branch. Whether or not your bank is "working" during the recovery phase of a disaster, you may need to access your account or information from your account from a different state. This information will be critical should you need access to your money in the aftermath of a disaster.

Next: Insurance Information

Insurance Information

The Dolans Say: These may be some of the most important documents you'll need. In case you or another member of your family become sick or injured while you're displaced from your home or town, you'll likely need to show proof of your medical insurance. If your property is damaged during the disaster, your homeowners, auto, boat and flood insurance will also come into play. Having a copy of all insurance policies (along with the 24-hour phone number for your insurance companies) will help make a rough time a little bit smoother.

Next: Marriage Certificate/Custody Decrees

Marriage Certificate and
Custody Decrees

The Dolans Say: These aren't documents most people think about, but they can be critical in the case of an emergency. In the event you, your spouse or child are injured, these types of documents will be vital in case one of you needs to make medical or other important decisions about a family member's care. They can also be necessary if you and your children somehow get separated and you need to prove that you have legal custody and can remove them from a shelter.

Next: Protect Against ID Theft

Protect Against ID Theft

The Dolans Say: If you find yourself evacuating your home for a natural disaster, identity theft might not be the first thing on your mind, but it is an issue. Keeping your key financial documents together in one place and taking them with you is an easy way to protect yourself. If you leave your home in a disaster, grab the important financial documents we've discussed so that they are not at risk of being lost or stolen during a disaster.

' Full Article: Must-Have Documents

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