Emergency Cash and Important Documents Checklist

Keep small bills and protected copies of ID, insurance and medical papers so you can pay, prove who you are and recover after an outage.

When the power goes out, card terminals, ATMs and online banking can go with it. Meanwhile, if you have to leave home quickly, you may need proof of who you are, your insurance details and your medical information. A small cash reserve and a protected document set solve both problems.

This guide explains what to keep, how to protect it, and how to avoid creating a new risk by storing sensitive papers carelessly.

Why cash still matters

Many shops and fuel stations cannot take cards when their systems are down, and ATMs may be offline or empty. Cash lets you buy water, food, fuel or a motel room when other methods fail. It does not need to be a large amount. Decide an amount that suits your household and your budget, and think of it as a short term bridge, not savings.

• Keep small bills and some coins, since businesses may not have change.
• Store cash somewhere secure but reachable, such as a fireproof, waterproof box or a hidden spot only adults know.
• Keep a little in your car kit and your 72 hour kit, too.
• Tell trusted household members where it is.

Remember that cash can be lost or stolen, so avoid carrying more than you need, and do not tell everyone you have it. Refresh the stash from time to time.

Which documents to protect

Make a list of what you would need to prove identity, access money, claim insurance and get care. Typical items include:

• Government photo ID, such as driver's licence, passport or provincial or state ID
• Birth and marriage certificates, and citizenship or immigration papers if relevant
• Health insurance cards and a list of medicines, allergies and doctors
• Insurance policies for home, tenant, auto and life, with agent contact numbers
• Bank, credit card and investment account contact details (not full card numbers on a loose sheet)
• Mortgage, lease, property title and vehicle ownership papers
• Wills, powers of attorney and similar legal documents
• Pet vaccination records and microchip details
• Recent tax filings, where useful

Physical copies and waterproofing

Keep originals in a safe place, such as a fire resistant, waterproof box, a home safe, or a safety deposit box if that suits you. Keep photocopies in a separate spot that you can grab quickly. Waterproof pouches or zip bags, kept in a grab-and-go folder or kit, help against spills and floods.

Separate sets help: one at home, one in your emergency kit, and one with a trusted person outside your area. Label them clearly, and remember to update when something changes.

Digital backups

Scan or photograph your key documents and store them in two places, for example an encrypted USB drive in your kit and a secure cloud account with strong, unique passwords and two step verification. Digital copies help when the paper ones are lost, but a phone with a dead battery is no help, so charge devices. See our power bank guide.

• Use encryption or a password on the files and drive.
• Keep a short list of key contacts and account numbers, stored securely, not in plain text on a shared device.
• Keep a printed contact sheet as well, since a phone may fail. Our family communication plan helps.

Make a simple routine

1. Pick one afternoon to gather and copy documents.
2. Put copies in a waterproof folder and the cash in a safe place.
3. Set a reminder to review twice a year, along with your batteries and food.
4. Add the step to your 90 day preparedness plan.

If you do have to evacuate, take your folder with you, along with medicines, chargers and your emergency kit. After the event, replace what you used and note anything missing. Planning once saves a lot of stress later.

One more tip: keep a short written list of what is stored where, and who has copies. In a stressful moment, a clear note on the lid of the box saves time, and it helps a family member find things if you are not there.

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