Personal documents are an essential piece of emergency supply kit, experts say

Protecting personal documents can be a simple but significant step to make rebuilding after a storm easier.

"Give a copy, even an electronic copy to someone else in case you lose it. Things like your insurance papers, the things that you need to start again," said Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency director Jim Coker .

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Experts say collect copies of driver’s licenses, photo ID, Social Security cards, birth certificates, deeds, titles, mortgage papers, insurance policies, bank account numbers and credit cards.

Tim Lyons, Vice President of Lyons Companies, explained why having the regional or national phone number for your home insurance provider might be advantageous after a severe storm.

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“Your current agent might be experiencing the same kind of claims that you are. They also might have significant property loss," said Lyons. "It’s important that you have a direct claims number for your carrier and that you’re taking pictures of your home and making sure that you have your insurance policy with you.”