The key to an easy claims process and a smooth recovery is documentation. Secure your valuable papers in a waterproof, fireproof container.
Table 1 is a list of the valuable papers that need to be in a safe location outside your home, such as in a safe deposit box. This could be in the care of a lawyer, the administrator of wills, business associates or trusted family members residing outside of your home.
Table 2 is a list of valuable papers that need to be in your possession at home at all times in a waterproof, fire-proof locked box. This includes those documents that need to be readily available after a disaster when you may not be able to reach copies that are located in your other safe location.
| Table 1 | Table 2 |
| Property | General |
| Financial | Property |
| Identification | Financial |
| Other | Identification |
| Health | |
Table 1
Property— Property records (deeds, titles, leases)
- Household inventory
- Home improvement records
- Automobile title and bill of sale
- Copies of insurance policies
Financial
- Income tax returns
- Copyrights and patents
- Contracts (including promissory notes)
- Copies of insurance policies
- Certificates for stocks, bonds, etc.
- Important receipts and bills of sale
- Supporting documents for years of large transactions, unusual losses, or deductions
Identification
- Social Security cards
- Citizenship papers
- Passports
- Birth certificates
- Death certificates
Other
- Divorce decrees
- Adoption/custody papers
- Military service records
- Retirement papers
- Religious records
- Copies of your and your partner’s wills
- Trust agreements, living wills, powers of attorney, and health care powers of attorney
Table 2
General
- Safe deposit box key
- Safe deposit records and inventory of items
- List of emergency contacts (doctors, vets, financial advisers, clergy, reputable repair contractors, and family members)
Property
- Rental property records
- Guarantees and warranties
- Appliance manuals
- Copies of insurance policies
Financial
- Income tax returns
- Current bank balances
- Loan payment books
- Employee benefits
- Bank account, loan, credit card, investment account numbers
Identification
- Social Security numbers
- Driver’s license numbers
- Copies of citizenship papers
- Copies of birth certificates
- Copies of marriage certificates
- Educational records
Health
- Copies of immunization records
- Copies of prescriptions for medicines and eyeglasses
- Copies of veterinary/vaccination records
- Health, dental, or prescription insurance cards
Follow this blog for the next several weeks for more posts on tips to be prepared in the event you would need to file a claim for a disaster.
ServiceMaster of Columbia, The Master of Disaster, 573.443.8383, serving Mid-Missouri.
