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)