72-Hour Kit Wednesday - Important Documents

For some reason this was one of the hardest things for me to get done in putting together my 72-hour kits. Maybe because it didn't involve shopping, who knows? However it is a very important part of the kit assembly.

It is a must that you make copies of all your important documents and put a copy of each in your kit. If, for any reason, your home or files were destroyed, you would need a copy of everything; from insurance papers, to identity information as well as bank and credit card numbers and details.

You may have copies of these documents stored on a computer, in the home of a family member or elsewhere, but because of the unknown circumstances of the emergency you are facing, those other copies may become inaccessible or may take too long to get copies of.

Below is a list of some of the documents you need to copy for you kits. There may be more or less than this, depending on your situations. Go through your files and check for other information you might need to copy.

How are you coming on the money (cash) for your kits? I recently read that not only do you want to have small bills, but also some coin such as quarters for vending machines etc. You never know exactly what you’ll need, but cash is always important to have immediate access to; don’t ever depend on using a credit or debit card. Also remember, if your bills are too large and the vendor does not have change, you may be out of luck.

If any of you have any ideas of different things you have done in your kits, how you’ve packed them or unique things you have added, let us know. We are all looking for a better way to do things.

Legal Papers and Documents to Copy
Birth Certificates
Marriage License
House Mortgage
Vacation Home / Property Ownership
Automotive Ownership
Motor Home Ownership
Trailers, Snowmobiles, Boat Ownerships
Wills
Jewelry Appraisals
Drivers Licenses
Home Insurance Policies
Auto Insurance Policies
Medical and Dental Insurance Information
Bank Accounts