During the chaos of an emergency evacuation, it’s easy to forget to grab your most important documents. This is why you must have them organized and accessible well ahead of time. 

We’ll highlight four key documents most people forget during an emergency so you’ll be more prepared should the time ever arise. We’ll also explain why it’s so important to store digital copies on a secure platform like Trustworthy. 

Key Takeaways

• While passports and other identification documents are vital, don't forget about less obvious documents like insurance policies and medical records. They’re crucial for recovery and assistance after a disaster.

• Store physical copies of important documents in a secure, off-site location, and store digital copies using a cloud storage platform like Trustworthy.

• Create a checklist of important documents and store them in a designated emergency kit or safe. Regularly review and update your list to confirm it reflects your current situation.

Most Important Documents People Forget to Take in an Emergency

Alex Adekola, CEO and founder of ReadyAdjuster in Atlanta, Georgia, notes:

"From my experience handling claims, some of the important documents most people overlook are receipts or records of the renovations and repairs done to the home, a list of the home's inventory, including most recent purchases, and a copy of utility bills. All of these documents can help expedite the claims process and increase claim value. This is why I advise people to always plan for the unexpected.”

Other than documents relating to the home, there are four other key categories of important papers people might not immediately think to take with them.

1. Family and Identification Documents

In the wake of an emergency, having your and your family’s identification documents can help you relocate or seek assistance quickly. 

• Birth Certificates: You don’t necessarily need to keep the originals on hand. You can keep copies in your disaster preparedness kit to prove your identity and citizenship.
  
  

• Marriage/Divorce Papers: To prove the state of your marriage or its dissolution.
  
  

• Social Security Cards: Keep copies of the cards of every member of your household. Getting new ones can be a pretty extended process, and you want to avoid that.
  
  

• Passports and Driver’s Licenses: Make copies of passports and driver’s licenses. When you eventually need to recover them, you have a solid frame of reference to present.

You also need to have backups, preferably stored with a secure cloud storage service like Trustworthy, so you can still access your documents online if the physical copies are compromised in any way. With Trustworthy, you can organize and store all of your important personal information, and you can grant permissions to family and friends. Your documents will be 100% secure, and you can also access them from anywhere. 

2. Financial Documents

Make sure you’ve got your financial documents, like tax statements and insurance information handy, so you’re ready to go in case of an emergency evacuation.

• Tax and Income Information: Make copies of the previous year’s tax returns so you can easily prove your income if necessary, plus copies of your personal and business property tax statements. Copies of recent pay stubs can back up your income claims, apart from the tax statements.

• Insurance Information: Make copies of your insurance policies, including life, homeowners’, car, and health insurance, and store them in your kit. Given just how vital these documents are, you don’t want to take any chances. For more peace of mind, securely upload them to Trustworthy before an emergency arises.

• List of Bills and Obligations: If you have monthly payments such as loans, your mortgage, and utility bills, make copies of the bill or statement for your disaster kit. This way, you can stay up to date on your payments. 

Oliver Morrisey, lawyer, owner, and director of Empower Wills & Estate Lawyers in Australia, notes:

“People usually forget about the less obvious but equally important paperwork, such as financial records, trust documents, and even certain business agreements. If you're managing someone else’s estate or dealing with shared assets, those documents are just as important to protect. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself, ‘If this document were lost, how difficult or time-consuming would it be to replace?’ That should guide your priorities.”

3. Legal Documents

When preparing for an emergency evacuation, it's vital to have certain legal documents ready and accessible since they can help you claim your rights.

• Will: You need one for a solid end-of-life plan, so if you’ve written your last will and testament, put a copy in your kit.
  
  

• Living Will: This details both the medical treatments you’re willing to undergo and the ones you’d rather not, particularly if you suffer a terminal illness or are seriously injured. In the living will, you can also name the person authorized to make medical decisions if you’re incapacitated.
  
  

• Power of Attorney: This document grants someone else the power to act on your behalf either in financial, legal, or even medical capacities. You should have a copy of this in your kit.
  
  

• Property Titles and Deeds: Have copies of your titles and deeds for your home, car, and other properties. Keep the originals, not copies. This is necessary to prove your ownership is indeed legitimate. 

Keep these documents in a fireproof and waterproof container to protect them from damage. Make sure you store and update them on Trustworthy, too, ensuring you always have access to them anywhere, any time.

4. Medical Documents

In case of medical emergencies, here are the most important documents you should have on hand: 

• Medical Insurance: Include copies of health insurance cards and policy numbers in your disaster preparedness kit. These will help you access medical services quickly.

• Medication Information: A comprehensive list of prescription medications for each family member, including pets, is vital. Note the dosage, frequency, and prescribing doctor to ensure you can obtain replacements if necessary.

• Immunization Records: You should add immunization records for both children and pets to your kit. This information aids healthcare providers in ensuring necessary vaccinations are up to date in the event of relocation.

• Allergy List: You should also include a detailed list of allergies for each family member, highlighting any severe reactions. Having immediate access to this information can be life-saving, helping medical professionals provide prompt care during a crisis.

• Vital Medical Records: You should include any information about a serious diagnosis or major procedure you or your family members have undergone. 

By keeping these documents organized and readily available, and with digital copies uploaded to Trustworthy, you take significant steps to safeguard your family's health and well-being in an emergency evacuation situation.

Frequently-Asked Questions

Where should I keep my emergency document kit at home for easy access?

Store your document kit in an easily accessible but secure location, such as a fireproof safe, a home office, or a designated emergency go-bag. Ensure all household members know where it is stored, and consider keeping it near your emergency supplies.

How do I ensure my documents are secure, especially sensitive information like Social Security numbers and bank accounts?

For physical documents, store them in a locked, portable safe or container. For digital copies, use encryption and strong passwords. Cloud services should have two-factor authentication enabled for added security. Trustworthy not only has two-factor identification, but also AES 256-bit encryption.

How often should I update my emergency document kit?

You should review and update your kit at least once a year or whenever significant changes occur, such as moving, changes in insurance policies, or updates to medical records. Make sure everything is up to date and valid.