I was the fortunate recipient of the book Grab ‘N Go Essential Document Organizer by Mary Rowbury. The book is a result of the author’s experience with insurance claims. She said “I realized that when a disaster occurs, the insured has very limited information to provide to the claims adjuster, hence, the insured is unable to recuperate most of [his/her] loss.”
Whether you are in the aftermath of a disaster or mourning the death of an immediate family member, if you have taken time to use this book, you will be much more prepared.
The book is full of worksheets to be filled out and removed to be slid into protective sleeves and organized in a binder. They help answer the question “What do I need?” The worksheets and suggestions are very thorough.
There are 12 sections to help you organize your information and documents.
- Emergency Contacts – emphasizes the importance of hardcopy in addition to digital.
- Family Information –information for missing persons reports and personal ID records necessary in disaster situations to receive legal and government help and restore losses.
- Home and Auto Information—photographs and information to help restore losses.
- Personal Tax Information—in case you need a loan and paper documents have all been lost.
- Personal Finances Information—for disasters and death.
- Personal Possessions Information—photographs and information to help restore losses.
- Pet Information—in case pets are lost, displaced, or left in shelters.
- Wills and Trust Information—for death or injury.
- Funeral Planning Information—because it will be easier for everyone if it is done ahead of the need; contains a good list of places that may need a death certificate on file and a list of post death actions.
- Emergency Plans—a written record of family emergency plans.
- Emergency Funds—a reminder and guide.
- Miscellaneous—computer information, security codes, etc.
There is a lot here. It could easily fill one binder. If you do it all, consider multiple binders or a small portable file box with a top handle. (Office Depot has one with the handle attached to the sides instead of the lid. It lifts a heavy box better.)
If doing this seems overwhelming, start with the worksheet “Important Household Information” which will record essential information with less detail. For a little more detail, see the “Legal, Financial, and Medical Information” worksheet.