Store These Vital Financial Records in Your Emergency 'Go Bag'

Even if you’re not in an area prone to hurricanes like I am, there’s no excuse for not being prepared with an emergency kit, whether it’s for a wildfire, flood, or earthquake.

In addition to essentials like clothes, toothpaste, and a flashlight, make sure to include important financial documents. These will help you manage payments, get aid, and maintain daily life during or after an emergency. Since cell or internet service may be down, you can’t solely rely on remembering login credentials for online services. Also, these financial records are essential for recovery, such as proving income for FEMA disaster relief assistance. The last thing you want in the midst of evacuating is scrambling to find your latest paycheck stub.

Here’s a list of the financial documents you should keep copies of in your emergency evacuation kit.

Personal Identification Documents

• Driver's license or passport

• Social Security card

• Birth certificate

• Emergency contact numbers for family, friends, or neighbors

• School enrollment records

Family Documents

• Alimony agreement

• Child support agreement and proof of payments

• Elder care payment statements

• Will or trust documents

• Power of attorney paperwork

Home-Related Documents

• Deed to your property or rental agreement

• Home or renter's insurance coverage details

• Other home-related loans, such as a home equity line of credit

• Photographs of your property, including valuable items with separate insurance coverage

• Flood insurance documentation

• Property tax records

Vehicle Documents

• Car title or loan documents

• Vehicle registration

• Car insurance policy

Financial Accounts and Credit

• Bank account numbers, routing information, verification codes, and contact details for the financial institution

• Investment account details for stocks, bonds, or mutual funds

• Retirement plan records

Additional Financial Documents

• Latest tax return

• Employment documents (offer letter or pay stubs) and workplace contact details

• Government benefits records (Social Security, TANF, veterans benefits)

• Utility account details

• Student loan agreements

Cash Availability

In addition to your documents, it’s essential to have cash on hand for expenses in case payment systems are down or the power goes out. How much should you keep? The Simple Prepper recommends having enough cash to cover one month of your most essential living expenses. Personally, I aim for $250 unless a storm is imminent, prompting me to withdraw more.

Wherever you decide to store your cash in your emergency kit, ensure it’s in a waterproof container.

You might want to add a few checks to your bag just in case your cash isn’t enough to cover all potential expenses.

How to Safely Store Your Financial Documents

FEMA recommends keeping printed copies or files on an external drive stored in a fireproof and waterproof container. For your evacuation bag, waterproofing is likely your top priority, so at the very least, stock up on plastic freezer bags and start packing.

These are some of the paper copies I took with me during my evacuation for Hurricane Irma in 2017 (and yes, they’re long overdue for updating and reorganizing).

I prefer to organize my documents into several bags, labeling each one with a permanent marker. Each bag also includes a card with my name and address as an additional means of identification.

Whether you opt for physical or digital copies, it’s crucial to have them backed up in the cloud. Don’t forget to password-protect your digital files.

When storing documents on a flash drive, include a few files without passwords that list your emergency contact information. Label it with a red cross to make it easy for medical professionals to identify if necessary.

When to Refresh Your Emergency Kit Finances

Make sure to refresh the physical or digital copies of your documents at least once a year. If you've had a significant life event—such as moving, getting married, experiencing a loss, changing jobs, or selling your house—be sure to update the relevant documents as soon as you can.

FEMA provides a printable Emergency Financial First Aid Kit that you can complete and keep alongside copies of your important documents. It may seem like a tedious task to go through each step, but organizing these documents and creating backups now can offer peace of mind when you're dealing with the stress of an evacuation.