IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES OR SAFES
IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES OR SAFES
http://www.wisebread.com/11-essential-documents-you-should-keep-in-your-safe
It’s important to keep the documents you need to establish your identity, property ownership, and financial assets safe … which doesn’t mean in your filing cabinet or stacked in a pile on your desk. While you may have digital copies of IDs and tax forms stored on your computer, you should also have a hard copy, in case the digital version is accidentally deleted or your computer crashes. Certain documents deserve a very safe place — like a fireproof safe — in case of identity theft or fire or a break-in. These are the documents you need to put in there.
Examples of items to hold in a safe or safety deposit box include*:
- Birth Certificates or Adoption Papers
- Social Security Cards
- Copies of ID cards
- Naturalization Papers
- Original Marriage Certificate and Divorce Papers, and any legal documents related to your marital status
- Your Living Will
- Your Last Will and Testament
- Power of Attorney Papers that name you on behalf of someone (i.e. an elderly parent)
- Proof of Eligibility for any Government Benefits or Assistance Programs
- Social Security Card Professional Appraisals done on your house and on any High-Value Items you own
- Mortgage Papers (or paid off mortgage papers)
Safes or Safety Deposit Boxes also allow a safe location to store Real Estate Deeds, such as:
- Titles and Registrations for cars, boats, trailers, tractors, and insurance
- A list of all your Financial Accounts (including account numbers), Institutions and the User Names and Passwords needed to access information online
- Real Estate License*
- Driver’s License (and/or a copy of it)*
- Insurance: Home, Car, Flood Insurance, etc.*
- Health Insurance Policy and Card (and/or a copy of it)*
Lastly, a small safe is inexpensive and helps maintain organization and protection of documents.*
*Additional commentary added by Peggy West
Picture originally posted on hivemine.com
Article by: Annie Mueller (wisebread.com)