19 Things You Should Have in Your Emergency To-Go kit

Summer is just around the corner and with Covid-19 restrictions easing, America's pent-up demand for travel is exploding. If you've got a summer vacation planned, consider having a Financial Emergency To-Go Kit.

Here are 19 things you'll need to include in your kit in case your home is flooded or experiences a damaging fire in your absence.

Auto insurance policy (explains what’s covered if your vehicle gets damaged and how to contact the insurer to start your claim)
Birth certificate (You'll need the original if you have to establish your identity with financial institutions or make a temporary change of address.)
Car registration (You’ll need this and your car title if your vehicle is damaged and your insurer declares it a total loss.)
Car title
Driver's license (You'll need the original if you have to establish your identity with financial institutions or make a temporary change of address.)
Health insurance card
Health care proxy
Home insurance policy (explains what’s covered if your home gets damaged and how to contact the insurer to start your claim)
Living will
Medicare card
Mortgage papers
Passport (You'll need the original if you have to establish your identity with financial institutions or make a temporary change of address.)
Power of attorney
Property deed
Social Security card (You'll need the original if you have to establish your identity with financial institutions or make a temporary change of address.)
Will
W-2 forms (for reporting income; at least 3 years' worth of print or digital documents)
1098 forms (for deducting mortgage interest; at least 3 years' worth of print or digital documents)
1099 forms (for reporting income; at least 3 years' worth of print or digital documents)

You can place your Financial Emergency To-Go kit in a fireproof/waterproof home safe. Or, we've also heard that the freezer compartment of your fridge can withstand the most devastating home fires.

In addition to these important 19 documents, we would recommend you also...take an inventory of your home.

Walk through your entire residence with a cell phone camera to create a record of your possessions. Be sure to describe each item including the quantity and product serial number. Document the purchase date and price, and gather receipts or credit card statements for these items. If you don’t have a record of the price, look for a comparable item for sale online. Have jewelry, antiques, art, and other valuables you'd like to have appraised? To find a professional appraiser near you, go to www.appraisers.org/find-an-appraiser.

Keep a copy of the video footage that's accessible from anywhere -- for example, in the form of a .mp4 file saved to the cloud. The inventory will help you determine whether you have enough coverage for your home's contents and document for tax purposes losses that insurance doesn't reimburse. Regularly update your inventory, especially after making major purchases or receiving expensive gifts.

Lastly, be sure to document the exterior and interior condition of your home before anything potentially gets damaged. This will help to establish your losses if you need to file a claim with your insurer.

Source: Kiplinger.com