where to keep records

Valuables stored in a bank safe deposit boxes ar not automatically protected against loss by burgalary, flood, or fire. Some banks may offer insurance on the ontents for an extra fee. If your bank doesn't, perhaps your insurance company can provide this kind of protection.

Don't put life insurance policies or wills in a safe deposit box. Safety deposit boxes are often sealed by court order when the box holder dies. This amy cause a substantial delay in obtaining payment on those policies.



Some files can be stored permanently out of the way on a shelf in an attic,basement, or utility room. After you've finished your taxes for the year, put away all that year's records in a single large envelope or box. At the same time, throw away the contents of the oldest envelope it is more than 6 years old.

What to store in a safety deposit box:

Because of rising crime and insurance rates, many people rent safe deposit boxes from a bank or from a private safe deposit company. You should put all your valuable, hard to replace, or irreplaceable items in one. Then keep a list of what is in your box in a safe place at home. The following are suggestions of what should be kept in the box.

1. A photocopy of your will, but not the original.
2. All stock or bond certificates or bank savings certificates (but not passbooks), that you have in your possession.
3. all insurance policies--except for life insurance policies.
4. property record, such as mortgages, deeds, and titles, but not he deeds of burial plots.
5. Personal documents, such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, divorce papers, millitary discharges papers, passports.
6. An inventory of valuable items in your home, such as furs, jewelry, electronic equipment, and collectibles . List the cost and purchase date of each item.
7. Small valuables, such as coins, jewelry, and silver.
8. airline tickets bought a long time before departure.