Weather emergencies: Getting your financial house in order

When it comes to preparing for a weather emergency, a flashlight with fully charged batteries is a must. Know what else can make life after a storm easier? If your financial documents are up-to-date, in one place, and portable. Consider scanning your documents or moving them online so you have a digital record of them, as well.

Here’s a basic list of what to gather:

·         Identification: Copies or originals of your driver’s licenses, medical insurance cards, Social Security cards, passports and birth certificates.

·         ATM, debit and credit cards: For access to cash — and to pay for whatever you might need — including food, gas, and lodging.

·         Emergency cash: It’s a good idea to have some cash on hand if ATMs and credit card processors aren’t working.

·         Checkbook: Even if you rarely write checks, include your checkbook. That way you can pay by check or authorize an important payment over the phone.

·         Insurance information: This includes policy numbers for your life, home, car, and flood insurance, as well as contact information for your insurance companies and agents.

·         Contact information for your financial service providers: Make a list of the local and toll-free numbers for your bank, credit card companies, mortgage lender, brokerage firms and insurance companies.

·         Digital information: Include usernames and passwords, and digital versions of your relevant personal, financial, and legal files on an electronic storage device.

·         A spare key to your safe deposit box.

If you’re missing important documents, now’s the time to replace them. After you’ve gathered these items, store them in a safe, protected place. An easy-to-grab emergency financial kit will make sure you have access to important documents in case the unexpected happens to you.

Source: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/weather-emergencies-getting-your-financial-house-order?utm_source=govdelivery