"Are Your Records Organized for an Emergency?"
By Gamee S. Elliott, State Farms Agent

If you were incapacitated would anyone be able to find your important records and take care of your family.s financial or business matters? Having important papers organized and accessible in advance can be very important in an emergency or crisis situation.

Consider the following for your important record organization.

Location. Options for storage might include a home safe, fire-security box, or off-site location such as a safety deposit box. The storage container should be securable and fire resistant. Shoe boxes or cardboard boxes in the closet or under the bed are not appropriate.

Who knows. Does someone in addition to your spouse know where these papers are kept? Consider making a list of such papers and records, and on the list state where these documents can be found. Then advise a trusted third party - an attorney, CPA, relative, or family friend-as to where this list is kept.

The general idea is that someone not domiciled in your residence know about this list and how to access it. This decision requires a certain comfort level, and you alone are able to make that determination.

Which papers. Regardless of who knows what, organized records are always a plus. Consider the following items for your “important documents” list.
• safety deposit box key
• life insurance policies
• deeds, contracts, leases, titles, mortgage(s), loan notes
• banking: savings, investment and retirement account(s) records
• will
• burial arrangements
• all other insurance policies (health, auto, home, etc.)
• birth certificates
Beyond however you decide to store your personal records, and whatever you decide to include, one fact is clear: if important legal, business, and personal documents are organized and accessible, the handling of a crisis situation is made much easier.

MAGGIE.S MEMO:
GAMEE ELLIOTT.S STATE FARM INSURANCE AGENCY in Salisbury offers an array of insurance products to meet your needs, including auto, life, health, and long term care coverage. GAMEE is a registered representative for variable products, IRAs, mutual funds, and other financial services. Gamee is very active in the community and is a recent past president of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce.

Please visit statefarm.com for information on State Farm.s various insurance and financial products. Call GAMEE at 410-749-4725.

MAGGIE SAYS:
STATE FARM.s District Supervisor told us: “It is a pleasure working with an agent like GAMEE who is so focused. She runs a top-notch insurance agency with professional staff in a pleasant environment for her clients. She truly cares about her clients. lives and her employees. professional growth. GAMEE leads in many ways, including community involvement and sponsorships. She and her staff help their clients manage the risks of everyday life and develop plans to realize their dreams. STATE FARM is proud to have GAMEE ELLIOTT represent us.”