4 Ways You Should Be Prepared (but Probably Arent)

Its unpleasant to think about, but there is a good possibility that something bad

will happen to you or your family one day, and the better prepared you are for such an event, the more likely it will be that you manage to get through it as painlessly as possible. Flood, fire, natural disaster, car accidents unfortunately the world is full of dangers, and as careful as we are, we may not be able to avoid them all.

Here are four ways you should be prepared, but may not be. Some are more obvious than others, so hopefully this will inspire you to take precautions that you may not have thought of.

1.Put your insurance policy numbers and agent contact information in your cell phone. If your house goes up in a fire, chances are you will not be able to easily and quickly retrieve any paperwork (unless you keep it in a fireproof safe, another wise precaution.) If the information is in your cell phone, you can contact your insurance company regardless of whether or not you can get back in your house. Make sure to include homeowners or renters insurance, life insurance, car insurance and health insurance information. All of these important phone numbers should be easily accessible in the event of need.

2.Make sure you keep digital backups of any important files. Tax returns, wills, insurance policies, investment paperwork, birth and marriage certificates, etc. Originals should be stored in a fireproof box, but you should also scan them and store the digital copies somewhere offsite. Cloud computing is making online storage cheap and easy, and cell phone apps make scanning and digitizing a breeze.

3.Keep a master file of passwords to your online accounts. Each person in the household should keep one, including children. Sites should include email and social media, as well as any financial/banking/investment accounts. It may be uncomfortable to reveal these passwords to other people, but perhaps you can negotiate that the files will only be accessed in case of dire emergency.

4.Whenever you have a major life event, be sure to update your will and all your beneficiary forms. These include things like your joint bank accounts, life and disability insurance policies, pension plans and retirement accounts. Dont put it off, do it as quickly after the event (marriage, divorce, birth of child, adoption) as possible.

While its much easier not to think about these sorts of things, and to pretend that nothing bad will ever happen, its far more prudent to control the events that are within your control, such as how you will react if a terrible thing actually happens. Do you want to be ignorant and unprepared, or do you want to face adversity wearing your best game face, ready to handle anything that life can dish out?

by: Leslie R. Wright

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