The 25 Documents You Need Before You Hit The Road

cyndi · Jul 7, 2011

<H3 class="post-title entry-title">One of the things I struggle with when it comes to road prep are which documents I need to have readily accessible for myself or a loved one, in case of an emergency <A href="http://consumerist.com/" target=_blank>The Consumerist</A> comes through again with an post taken from <A href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...6410234039258092.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read" target=_blank>Wall Street Journal/Wall Street Investor</A>. WSJ references death, with regard to the article and graphic. In reality, it's something that would make things easier in case of any type of emergency or catastrophe. The article goes into more detail, but the graphic really simplifies it.(It can be made larger at the website) <A href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sy7H50LoNMc/ThW6vqmOf8I/AAAAAAAAGRE/L-RQzJKT6Ow/s1600/25+documents.jpg" target=_blank><IMG style="WIDTH: 350px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626608637520543682 border=0 alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sy7H50LoNMc/ThW6vqmOf8I/AAAAAAAAGRE/L-RQzJKT6Ow/s400/25+documents.jpg"></A> Graphic by <A href="http://www.timgoldman.com/" target=_blank>Tim Goldman</A> Good information whether your traveling, or not! </H3><DIV style="CLEAR: both"></DIV>

Butternut · Jul 7, 2011

Good list! My mother was in an accident and then a comma for four months a few years back. It was amazing the stuff that we couldn't find, get into, get access to. This would have come in handy!

stude53 · Jul 7, 2011

this was a helpful suggestion. I saved it. Thanks, Bob (aka stude53)

twokniveskatie · Jul 8, 2011

this is excellent. my son and i are in the process of updating....

vonu · Jul 10, 2011

Safaribob said:
Cyndi, This is great information to collect in one place and reminds me to--get it done! But where to store these vital records when traveling/living on the road is my follow-up question?  Ideally, something like this collection would sit in a fireproof box in a closet at a sticks & bricks location and somebody besides the owner knows the location. Without giving away specifics of techniques for those actually vandwelling now, there is a certain vulnerability risked carrying around this information:  unscrupulous people servicing your vehicle; unintentionally leaving the vehicle open and having things taken...that type of thing. I've thought of digitizing these items if that's a long-term option but even then a hard copy backup is wisdom in some circles. Thoughts, anyone with first-hand experience living on the road.

<div> </div><div>If you want to secure them from fire and have a large format book, put them in the book.  Books frequently escape more than burnt edges in a fire.  If no books, then put them in a stack of papers, with a similar possibility.  Pieces of paper kept separate from containment are the first things to burn, and make good kindling.</div>

cyndi · Jul 10, 2011

I don't see the need to carry most of those documents on a daily basis. I'll be leaving most the documents with a trusted family member, in a fire-proof box, along with passwords for computer, etc.   I'll keep the necessary ones (copies of health care and contact info) in a fire proof box, which will be easily accessible, in case of emergency.

sl1966 · Jul 10, 2011

I'm planning on carrying all my originals in a firebox with me, but my family has copies of everything. You know, in the event both I and all the docs are accidentally destroyed.