Foundations · 6 min read
Important documents in an emergency: what to protect and how
How to organise, copy and protect your essential paperwork (identity, health, banking and property) before an evacuation or disaster.
PrepKit · Updated on
Identify what is essential
In an emergency, your paperwork is the key to receiving assistance, claiming on insurance and proving your identity. Keep original documents in one place, sorted by category: identity (passports, national ID), health (health cards, prescriptions, medical history), property (deeds, tenancy agreements) and finances (insurance policies, bank details).
Do not forget copies of family records such as birth certificates, plus a handwritten list of emergency contacts in case electronic devices fail.
Secure physical and digital copies
Always keep a set of physical copies in a waterproof pouch stored with your evacuation kit. For extra safety, digitise everything: scan the documents and store them on an encrypted USB drive or in a cloud service with two-factor authentication.
If you use a USB drive, choose a robust one and label it clearly. If you choose the cloud, make sure you can still sign in if you lose your main phone, and keep recovery codes written down somewhere safe.
The document pouch
Use a waterproof folder or pouch, ideally with a watertight seal and in a bright colour. It should be small enough to fit in your go bag yet strong enough to protect paper from damp, smoke and wear.
In an immediate evacuation this pouch is priority number one, after physical safety. It should also hold some cash in small notes, as cash machines and card payments may not work during a power cut.
Annual review and updates
Paperwork changes: policies renew, prescriptions expire and ID cards lapse. Pick one day a year (the clock change, or the anniversary of your family plan) to check that everything is still valid.
Use the review to update photographs of family members and pets, which can be vital if you become separated during a disaster.
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