Are your records organized for an emergency?
By Chuck Seighman
Registered State Farm® agent
If you were incapacitated would anyone be able to find your
important records and take care of your family’s financial or
business matters? Having important papers organized and
accessible in advance can be very important in an emergency
or crisis situation.
Consider the following for your important record organization.
Location - Options for storage might include a home safe, fire-
security box, or off-site location such as a safety deposit box.
The storage container should be securable and fire resistant.
Shoe boxes or cardboard boxes in the closet or under the
bed are not appropriate.
Who knows. Does someone in addition to your spouse know
where these papers are kept? Consider making a list of such
papers and records, and on the list state where these
documents can be found. Then advise a trusted third party –
an attorney, CPA, relative, or family friend-as to where this list
is kept.
The general idea is that someone not domiciled in your
residence know about this list and how to access it. This
decision requires a certain comfort level, and you alone are
able to make that determination.
Which papers. Regardless of who knows what, organized
records are always a plus. Consider the following items for
your “important documents” list.
• safety deposit box key
• life insurance policies
• deeds, contracts, leases, titles, mortgage(s), loan notes
• banking, savings, investment and retirement account(s)
records
• will
• burial arrangements
• all other insurance policies (health, auto, home, etc.)
• birth certificates
Beyond however you decide to store your personal records,
and whatever you decide to include, one fact is clear.
If important legal, business, and personal documents are
organized and accessible, the handling of a crisis situation is
made much easier.
By Chuck Seighman
Registered State Farm® agent
If you were incapacitated would anyone be able to find your
important records and take care of your family’s financial or
business matters? Having important papers organized and
accessible in advance can be very important in an emergency
or crisis situation.
Consider the following for your important record organization.
Location - Options for storage might include a home safe, fire-
security box, or off-site location such as a safety deposit box.
The storage container should be securable and fire resistant.
Shoe boxes or cardboard boxes in the closet or under the
bed are not appropriate.
Who knows. Does someone in addition to your spouse know
where these papers are kept? Consider making a list of such
papers and records, and on the list state where these
documents can be found. Then advise a trusted third party –
an attorney, CPA, relative, or family friend-as to where this list
is kept.
The general idea is that someone not domiciled in your
residence know about this list and how to access it. This
decision requires a certain comfort level, and you alone are
able to make that determination.
Which papers. Regardless of who knows what, organized
records are always a plus. Consider the following items for
your “important documents” list.
• safety deposit box key
• life insurance policies
• deeds, contracts, leases, titles, mortgage(s), loan notes
• banking, savings, investment and retirement account(s)
records
• will
• burial arrangements
• all other insurance policies (health, auto, home, etc.)
• birth certificates
Beyond however you decide to store your personal records,
and whatever you decide to include, one fact is clear.
If important legal, business, and personal documents are
organized and accessible, the handling of a crisis situation is
made much easier.
Keep a Home Inventory
By: Chuck Seighman
Registered State Farm® Agent
This one goes in the category of those things we are planning to
do when we get the time – making or updating a home inventory.
It may not sound like an exciting activity, but in the event of a
calamity such as a fire, burglary, flood or tornado, a current
home inventory can save a lot of time, money and frustration in
the insurance settlement process.
Take this test. Sit down and try to make a detailed list of what’s
in each room of your dwelling. It’s amazingly hard to remember
all the “stuff” that accumulates – wall hangings, curtains,
cookware, clothing, sports gear, jewelry, knick-knacks, rugs,
clocks, etc. Get the picture?
This weekend, go ahead and bite the bullet. Video or photo
each room and list major items on paper. Record brand, model,
date and amount of purchase, if possible (serial numbers are
important on some items). Also, saving receipts on big-ticket
items is always a good idea.
For antiques and jewelry, written descriptions or appraisals are
important. Don’t forget the closets, and remember, even your
attic may be full of valuables.
You can usually get a home inventory checklist from your
insurer. These lists are great tools to help organize your
records.
Finally, remember to update your inventory every year or so, and
keep it in a safe location away from your dwelling. Taking the
time to make and update your inventory now, can help you in
working with your insurer later and maximizing your recovery
should you have the need.
By: Chuck Seighman
Registered State Farm® Agent
This one goes in the category of those things we are planning to
do when we get the time – making or updating a home inventory.
It may not sound like an exciting activity, but in the event of a
calamity such as a fire, burglary, flood or tornado, a current
home inventory can save a lot of time, money and frustration in
the insurance settlement process.
Take this test. Sit down and try to make a detailed list of what’s
in each room of your dwelling. It’s amazingly hard to remember
all the “stuff” that accumulates – wall hangings, curtains,
cookware, clothing, sports gear, jewelry, knick-knacks, rugs,
clocks, etc. Get the picture?
This weekend, go ahead and bite the bullet. Video or photo
each room and list major items on paper. Record brand, model,
date and amount of purchase, if possible (serial numbers are
important on some items). Also, saving receipts on big-ticket
items is always a good idea.
For antiques and jewelry, written descriptions or appraisals are
important. Don’t forget the closets, and remember, even your
attic may be full of valuables.
You can usually get a home inventory checklist from your
insurer. These lists are great tools to help organize your
records.
Finally, remember to update your inventory every year or so, and
keep it in a safe location away from your dwelling. Taking the
time to make and update your inventory now, can help you in
working with your insurer later and maximizing your recovery
should you have the need.