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Creating an ICE binder (In Case of Emergency Binder) provides peace of mind, knowing that your family will have crucial information they need during challenging times.
Store it in a location where you can easily grab it when rushing out the door. You can hide your emergency binder in plain sight, disguise it as a cookbook, or any other book that blends with its surroundings to deter thieves. Most burglars are unlikely to sift through books during a break-in, making this a clever and inconspicuous way to protect your vital information
This guide will help you organize your emergency binder into 12 key sections, with charts I've created for inspiration. Use labeled tabs or dividers to identify each section and make it your own!
1. Family Information
Begin your emergency binder with a section about your family.
Write details for each family member.
Full Names and Birthdates
Physical Descriptions
Eye Color, Hair Color, Distinguishing Marks (Birthmarks, Scars, Tattoos)
Social Security Numbers
Passport Information
Identification Card Information
Driver's License, State ID, School ID, etc.
Emergency Contacts
Names, phone numbers, and addresses of family members, close friends, and neighbors.
Photos
Include photos of you, family members, and pets.
2. Medical Information
List this information for each family member
Medical Information
• Allergies
• Medical conditions
• Medications
Medical contacts
• Primary Doctors
• Dentists
• Local Hospitals
• Any other Important Medical Contact
3. Pet Information
Physical Descriptions
Breed, Eye Color, Hair Color & Identifying Marks
Identification
Microchip Numbers, Tag information
Medical Information
Copies of vaccination records, list any health conditions, medications, or allergies.
Care Instructions
Dietary needs, routines, and special instructions for care.
Emergency Contacts
Contact information for your veterinarian and a trusted pet sitter or boarding facility.
4. Financial Accounts and Assets
Include this information for each account.
Bank Accounts
Bank Name:
Account Name:
Account Type:
Routing #
Account #
Phone #
Website:
Username:
Password:
Debit Card: Yes ☐ No ☐
Name of Card:
Card #
Expiration:
PIN:
♥ Notes:
Credit Cards
Credit Card Company:
Card Name:
Customer Service #
Card Number:
Expiration Date:
CVV:
Website:
Username:
Password:
Rewards & Benefits:
Due Date:
APR:
Balance:
Credit Limit:
♥ Notes:
Investment Accounts
list them by account types for better organization.
Brokerage Accounts, Retirement Accounts
Company Name:
Investment Type:
Account #
Website:
Username:
Password:
Investment Details:
• Holdings
Stocks, Bonds, CDs, Mutual Funds, Crypto,
• Shares, Interest Rates, Purchase & Maturity Dates (as applicable)
5. Real Estate
Property Deeds
Copies of property deeds or titles for all owned properties.
Mortgage Information
Details of mortgages, including lender information, loan numbers, and payment schedules.
Property Tax Records
Copies of property tax assessments and payments.
Homeowners Association (HOA) Information
Contact details for your HOA, if applicable, and any relevant documents.
Rental Properties
Details of rental agreements, lease terms, and tenant contact information, if applicable.
6. Vehicles
Make, Model, Year:
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number):
License Plate Number:
Loan Details:
Due date, payment amounts, loan term, Lender contact information
Copy of any Vehicle Titles
Registration Details:
Maintenance Records:
Keep records of routine maintenance and repairs.
Insurance:
Auto insurance policy details, coverage amounts, and contact information for your insurance provider.
"Auto Insurance will also be in your Insurance section but you may also want to add it here"
7. Insurance Policies
Health
Dental
Life
Homeowners
Renters
Flood
Auto
Pet
Umbrella
Short Term Disability
Long Term Disability
Long Term Care
8. Household Expenses
This is a starting guide to help your family manage your home finances if you are not around.
Create a Financial Overview for a Loved one with ALL your home's recurring bills.
For an easy visual list expenses by due dates.
Then write Amounts due, contact information,
and account numbers for each recurring bill.
· Home Payments (Mortgage & Taxes)
· Auto Payments (Loan Payments, & Taxes)
· Insurance (Health, Life, Pet, Home, Auto, etc.)
· Utility Bills
· Home Security/Cameras
· Credit Card Bills
· Personal Loans
· Subscriptions
· Memberships
· Other Recurring Bills
♥ My Example list is a little excessive, but it gives you an idea of what can be added if any of these expenses are recurring in your household.
♥ You could fill out the entire budget sheet if you want your loved ones to have a more realistic idea of your "usual" household expenses.
9. Household Maintenance 🛠
Important Home Maintenance Records
· Records of major home repairs and renovations.
· Warranty information.
· Annual Maintenance schedules
· List of Needed Home Repairs or Issues That Require Attention
Emergency Procedures
· Instructions for shutting off utilities (gas, water, electricity).
· Door and Alarm Security Codes
· Safety plans and evacuation routes.
10. Home Inventory
Home Inventory
A detailed list of valuable possessions for insurance purposes. Include descriptions, purchase dates, and estimated values.
If you have a lot of valuables stashed away, you can include the locations of the items for family members
Include pictures of expensive valuables.
It's difficult to recall every belonging from memory after a disaster.
Keep a Home Inventory Video Tour copied in the cloud, make sure to open drawers, doors, and cabinets to get ALL of your possessions and not just the valuables.
This is a quick way to record inexpensive things without having to write down thousands of items.
Maintaining a well-organized home inventory helps you swiftly and accurately file insurance claims for a smoother recovery.
Review your home inventory annually and update it to include new purchases or items.
11. Digital Usernames and Passwords
· Social Media
· Cloud Services
· Recurring Household Bills
· Utilities
· Security Systems
· Streaming Services
· Online Shopping
· Subscriptions
· Memberships
· Other Digital Services
Include any accounts a loved one would need/want to access if something happened to you. ♡
Create a list of Home Device Access Codes
· Phones
· Tablets
· Computers
12. Legal Documents
Make Copies of the following documents and place them in this section
for peace of mind and easy access for loved ones.
♥ Living Will
♥ Power of Attorney (Financial & Medical)
♥ Last Will & Testament
♥ Trusts & Estate Plans
♥ A list of legal documents and where to find the originals.
Keep these copied documents in protective sleeves or waterproof pouches to prevent damage.
Other Things That Should Be In The Binder
♡ Cash
Keep Emergency cash in a zippered pencil pouch. Don’t forget to include small bills, in the event of a natural disaster credit card machines may not work.
♡ Spare Keys
Copies of Home and car keys can be put in the pencil pouch.
♡ Table of Contents
In an emergency, your family must understand the purpose of each tab in your binder. Once you've completed organizing your binder, create a table of contents to tell its users what each section represents, and the information inside them.
Feel free to exclude sections that may not apply to you or add new sections for specific needs. Don't forget to keep the binder up to date regularly or when there are changes.
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Preparation Today Can Provide Peace Of Mind Tomorrow.
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