If you’ve purchased a fire-safe lock box for your home, you plan to put some pretty valuable items in the box. Keep in mind that some documents are very important, even if they don’t have a monetary value, and are protected in these boxes. These boxes will keep these invaluable items safe through all types of storms and tragedies that could hit your home. Below are the items you need to secure in your fire-safe box today.
1. Wills, Trusts, And Estate Plans
Some of the most important documents in your home are your wills, trusts, or estate plans regarding your property in the event of your death. These documents should be secure so that survivors can access a copy. Any property or investments that you have should be outlined on this, and it should, at the minimum, be notarized. For best practice, you’ll have a copy on file with your lawyer’s office that approved the document. It should also be the most recent copy, as it is recommended that you update your estate plan once every five years unless you have major life events happening, like marriage or moving to another state.
2. Insurance Documentation
Your home insurance policy and any other insurance policies should be kept in this box. If there’s a tragedy, you’ll need this information sooner rather than later, and having it in one place will be very easy. Any life insurance policies and even copies of auto insurance should also be stored here. These are just some of the most vital documents you can have. According to IBIS World, there are roughly 1,700 document management service companies in the U.S. as of 2023, and even if you have one on file with them, a copy needs to be in your home.
3. Identification Documents
In your fire safe box, you should house all identification documentation for everyone in the house. This includes birth certificates, social security cards, and passports that aren’t currently being used. These documents are essential for identifying yourself and can be a hassle to replace if there is a tragedy and they are destroyed. Should your wallet be stolen or damaged, your passport is the ultimate identification and can be used anywhere to show that you are who you say you are. While you may not use your birth certificate and social security card often, they are important, and you will find situations where you need them as second and third types of identification.
4. Property Deeds And Titles
The deeds to your own vehicles should be secured in this box, along with the deed to your home if paid off. If not, you’ll want your mortgage information in its place to show that you carry a loan on the home. Those deeds and titles should be stored away if you own any additional properties like homes or land used for agricultural purposes. If there is damage, you’ll need to reference this box at that time.
5. Contracts
If you’re currently under contract, rendering services for someone or another family, keeping a copy of that signed contract in your box for safekeeping is a good idea. This is something that women acting as surrogates should do, in case any major issues arise during the pregnancy and the other party doesn’t want to honor their contract. According to Elevate Baby, a candidate will be between the ages of 21 and 45 to become a surrogate mother.
If you’re planning to invest in a fire-safe lock box for your home, make sure you get one that is large enough to hold the documents that you need to store safely at this time. Lock boxes come in different sizes, and you may need to get one that will also house future documents if you think you’ll be accruing more shortly. When you do get your lock box, start storing these items in there right away so that you always know where they are and know they are safe in the home.