The Grab-and-Go Document Binder

After a house fire, a flood or a fast evacuation, people often find that the hardest part of recovery isn't the cleanup. It's the paperwork: proving who you are, getting insurance claims moving, refilling prescriptions, and replacing ID. A grab-and-go document binder makes all of that much easier.

01What goes in it

Keep copies in the binder and originals somewhere safe (more on that below).

Identity

• Driver's licenses or state IDs
• Passports
• Birth certificates
• Social Security cards
• Marriage, divorce and custody papers
• Military records

Home and property

• Deed or lease
• Homeowners or renters insurance policy, with your agent's contact info
• Vehicle titles and registrations
• Auto insurance

Money

• Bank and credit card account numbers and phone numbers
• Recent tax return
• Retirement and investment account info

Medical

• Health insurance cards
• A list of each person's medications, doses, allergies and doctors
• Medical device information
• Vaccination records
• Copies of prescriptions

Legal

• Wills, powers of attorney, medical directives
• Guardianship papers

Family and pets

• Recent photos of each family member (for reunification)
• Pet vaccination records and photos

Contacts

• Your family communication plan. See a family communication plan.

02Where to keep the originals

• A fire- and water-resistant safe at home, or a safe deposit box.
• Know the safe's limits: many home safes are rated for fire for a limited time. Waterproof bags inside help.

03Where to keep the binder

• Near the door or with your bug-out bag, so you can grab it in seconds. See bug-out bag checklist.
• In a waterproof pouch or document bag.

04Digital backup

• Scan everything and store it in an encrypted cloud account or on an encrypted USB drive.
• Use a strong password and two-factor authentication.
• Don't leave unencrypted copies of Social Security cards and passports on a phone or laptop.

05Keep it current

Review the binder once a year: new prescriptions, new insurance, new kids, new cars.

06Pair it with a home inventory

Insurance claims go faster when you can prove what you owned, so make a video inventory of your home too.

The binder takes an afternoon to put together, and it can save you months of hassle when you need it most.

Sources (1)

Ready.gov: Document and insure your property.

Photo by StockSnap on Pixabay.

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