What Goes in a Storm File

The time to organize your records is before the power goes out. The free Storm File replaces the traditional shoebox of receipts with a single, organized record that lives right on your phone.

Why a file and not a folder

A folder of papers at the bottom of a desk drawer is the first thing lost in a flood. Even a folder saved on a computer gets left behind in an evacuation. A dedicated file means all your facts are in one place, stored in a format that travels with you. When you have one reliable file, you spend less time searching for policy numbers and more time focusing on recovery.

The five parts

• Basics: Your address, utility providers, insurance carrier, and policy numbers.
• Rooms: A checklist of your room-by-room photo and video inventory.
• Belongings: A log of major purchases, appliances, and valuables with their serial numbers.
• Papers: Digital or printed copies of your most critical documents.
• Diary: A daily log started immediately if a storm hits, tracking every conversation and event.

The ten papers most people cannot find after a storm

Gather these ten documents while the weather is clear:

1. Your homeowners insurance declarations page.
2. Your flood insurance declarations page.
3. Your auto insurance declarations page.
4. The property deed or current lease.
5. Your latest mortgage statement.
6. Appraisals for jewelry or art.
7. Recent tax returns.
8. Receipts for major appliances and electronics.
9. Your driver's license or state ID.
10. Medical prescriptions and records.

Where the file lives

Your primary file belongs on your phone. If you lose power or internet, the phone still works, and if you evacuate, the phone goes with you. You also need one printed backup copy. Put that printed copy inside a waterproof bag, or mail it to a trusted family member who lives entirely outside the hurricane zone.

When to update it

Make updating your file a routine. Do a full review once a year on June 1, the start of hurricane season. Open it again any time you buy a major appliance, install a new roof, or change your insurance carrier. Finally, do a quick review the moment a storm is named and heading toward Florida.

After the storm: the diary

If a storm strikes, your file shifts from preparation to recovery. The diary section becomes your daily log. Write down the name of every adjuster you speak with, the date, the time, and what they promised. Record every phone call with your mortgage company and every visit from a contractor. This written diary is the record you will be glad to have when questions come up months later.