Protect your important documents from flood, fire, flood, theft, and loss loss, by securing them with these methods.

Safe Deposit Box

Keep the original copies of important documents such as your marriage and birth certificates, will and beneficiary forms, and bond and stock certificates in a safe deposit box. It’s also a smart idea to make reference copies for home use, especially of wills. After an owner’s death, a safe deposit box may be sealed.

Home Safe

Store essential documents you need access to regularly in a home safe. This may include tax records and passports, as well as irreplaceable items such as old family photos. Choose a safe that is water-resistant, fireproof, and burglary tested.

Digitize Documents

Consider scanning documents required for a paper trail, such as expense receipts or other tax-related documents. Store them in a secure environment, such as a cloud based document service. The IRS accepts electronic records, including downloaded bank statements and scanned receipts.

Lockable Mailbox

A lockable mailbox can help protect against identity theft. Be especially careful of mail containing your driver’s license, social security number, credit card, tax information, and bank account statements. Even regular bills can provide enough information for a criminal to steal your identity.

Securely Shred

Always dispose of documents containing any personal or financial information by hiring a professional shredding service or an at-home shredder. When shopping for a paper shredder, choose a confetti or ribbon model capable of handing multiple sheets.

These are the important steps you need to take to help protect your identity, protect your finances, and prevent the headache of replacing essential files after a burglary or other damage to your home. If you’re interested in protecting more than just your documents, contact a local Rockingham Insurance agent and ask about our home, auto, and umbrella policies.