This afternoon I came across an article I wrote a while back for our monthly newsletter at work on Emergency Kits.  I wrote it when the SoCal fires were blazing back in September and provided instructions as to how clients could put together an Emergency Kit of their own (for both personal and financial emergencies).  After looking it over today, I began to wonder what I’d put in my own Emergency Kit?

The article I wrote definitely applies to an older generation, but in thinking about it –some of the same advice would apply to me.  

First, lets talk the types of emergencies: Personal and Financial.

A personal emergency will have us searching for names and phone numbers of people to contact, car/renters/medical insurance coverage and policy #s, prescriptions and dosages, veterinarian info (for all the amazing pet owners like moi), etc.

A financial emergency could warrant a need for bank account information, credit card numbers, loans, a list of assets (cars, art, jewelry, homes) and more.  

Now , I know that personally, when I think “What would I take if disaster strikes?” my mind starts running through pictures, memory boxes, jewelry that’s been passed down through the family, my cute new jacket… and it’s only when I get to the bottom of the list that I scribble in “financial documents” as a last minute thought.

This is no bueno, right?

Financial documents, tax returns, bank statements should be among the first things you grab in case of an emergency. Yes, I know we are the internet generation and any information we need is just a mouse-click away, but seriously – when you’re under extreme amounts of stress and are in a high pressure situation, it would be so much easier just to have the information concise and at your fingertips.

So, how does one build their personal emergency kit?

Grab a binder (which will be purple, in my case), some page protectors (yes, those nerdy little things we’d turn our reports in back in high school), and start making copies of any important records and documents you feel you would need access to, inclusive of the following:

• An up to date list of “In Case of Emergency” contacts along with current phone numbers and addresses
• An up to date list of contact information for your health care provider, local hospital, pharmacies and any medication / prescription information
• Car title and insurance policies
• Bank and Credit Card statements
• Renters insurance policy / Home owners policy (for you lucky homeowners)
• Most recent tax returns
• Personal financial statements
• Website and Log In information for any accounts you may have online viewing only to
• List of important account numbers for student loans, bills, credit cards
• A detailed list of important items that are not in the binder with instructions as to where they are kept.

Obviously everyone’s Emergency Kit will be different based on individual situations, family circumstances and more. The above are just some of the obvious things to include, but I know in mine I’ll also throw in family photos, letters, and other little things that I’m certain will help bring a smile to my face should an unforeseen event occur. Yes, I wish I could fit my roommate’s flat screen TV in the kit, but I can’t… she has however mentioned that would be the first thing out of the house in the “What would you bring?” hypothetical.

Creating a personal and financial emergency kit isn’t the most exciting of things in personal finance, but it’ll definitely come in handy should disaster strike. Keep in mind that if you are planning on creating an Emergency Kit, be sure to keep it in an easily accessible location and definitely clue a roommate, friend or loved one (someone you trust) in to its whereabouts.

So, what would you put in your emergency kit??