If you were in the hospital for a week, or simply couldn’t be reached, would the people closest to you know what accounts you have, which insurance covers what, where the important papers are, and who to call? This checklist covers all of that. It doesn’t ask for passwords, PINs or full account numbers, which your family doesn’t need to get started and which are risky to keep on paper.
Start in 10 minutes
Short on time? Write down these five things first:
- Two people to call first, with their phone numbers.
- Whether you have a will, and where the original is.
- The banks or credit unions you use (names only).
- Your insurance companies: life, health, home or renters, auto.
- Where your important papers are kept (the drawer, box or safe deposit box).
Then tell one person where this list is.
The checklist
Ticks stay on this page only. Nothing you tick is saved or sent anywhere.
mykinmap.com/resources/family-emergency-information-checklist/ · Last reviewed: ______________
If you were in the hospital for a week
Think about what would actually come up. Bills would still be due. A pet would need feeding. Someone would need to call your work, and someone would want to talk to your doctor. Each of those maps to a section above: people to call, bills and accounts, everyday life, health. The more of it is written down, the less anyone has to guess.
Some of these steps, like someone paying bills for you, may need a power of attorney. An attorney can explain what applies in your state. For your documents themselves, see the important documents checklist.
A paper binder, or something you can keep current?
A binder works well, and it’s free. Its weak spots are that it goes out of date, sits in one place, and is all-or-nothing: whoever opens it sees everything.
KinMap is a free online version of this checklist: one place to record what exists, where it’s kept and who to call, shared with the people you choose. Each person sees only what you allow, and it never asks for passwords, PINs or full account numbers. See what a trusted person would see, or read what KinMap stores and how sharing works.
Helping your parents with theirs? Try the checklist to work through with your parents.
Common questions
What should be in a family emergency binder?
The people to call, your health basics, which accounts and insurance policies exist, your home and property papers, where your important documents are, and the everyday things that can’t wait, like children and pets. The checklist above covers each one.
Should I put passwords in my emergency binder?
We’d suggest not. A paper list of passwords is easy to lose or copy, and it goes out of date fast. Note where passwords are kept instead, for example a password manager with an emergency-access feature. More on why passwords don’t belong on the list.
Where should I keep my emergency binder?
Somewhere safe that the people who need it know about and can get to. Whatever you choose, tell at least one person where it is.
How often should I update it?
At least once a year, and after big changes such as a move, a new job, a marriage, a divorce or a new baby.
Keep this list current, and share it with the right people
KinMap is one place to record what exists, where it’s kept and who to call, shared with the people you choose. Each person sees only what you allow, and it never asks for passwords, PINs or full account numbers.
Free plan available. Full KinMap is $19/year (founding member price).