DES MOINES, Iowa, May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether you live in the Deep South, the Midwest or on the West or East Coast, storm season is here and with that comes the increased threat of tornados, floods, hurricanes and wildfires. ARAG®, a global provider of legal solutions, encourages consumers to protect their legal documents for disaster, in addition to their loved ones and property.
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"The horrific images from yesterday's tornado in Moore, Oklahoma have saddened us all and reminded us that disaster can strike at any moment," said Ann Cosimano, General Counsel at ARAG. "Safeguarding your family, home and business to reduce damage is your first priority. Your legal documents, however, are important parts of your property and deserve attention in preparation as well."
According to the National Weather Service, the United States is impacted every year by an average of 10,000 thunderstorms, 2,500 floods, 1,000 tornadoes and 10 hurricanes. Natural disasters wreak havoc on residents and their livelihood as victims struggle with housing issues, insurance concerns and unemployment. Storing legal papers in a safe place so they are readily accessible can help recovery efforts in the wake of a disaster.
A complete list of documents to safeguard and tips to protect those papers, as well as information on your legal rights in the aftermath of a natural disaster, is outlined in the ARAG guidebook "Legal Issues Surrounding Natural Disaster" now available for consumers to download for free. The guidebook includes the inventory of documents listed below to be safeguarded from disaster.
Family
- Birth Certificate or Adoption Certificate
- Passport Social Security Card Marriage
- Certificate Divorce Decree
- Military Discharge or Military ID
Financial
- Loan documents Insurance Contracts - life, health, home, auto (Include pictures or videos for insurance claims)
- Deeds Titles to Property Financial Statements (Retirement, Investments, Savings)
Legal
- Will
- Living Will
- Power of Attorney
- HIPAA documents
- Trust Name Change (if applicable)
- Letter of Instruction Naturalization Papers
After you've identified the papers to protect, how do you shield your important legal documents when the entire region is at risk of tornados and flooding? ARAG suggests electronic storage.
"If a disaster hits you, most likely it will hit your safety deposit box at the bank and file room at your attorney's office, too," said Cosimano. "Scan documents into computer files and store them in reliable out-of-area storage, or email them to a friend outside the disaster zone. In most situations, courts treat electronic copies of lost documents as evidentiary equivalents of originals."
You can take additional steps to protect documents you store electronically. For example, make sure computers are above flood levels and moved away from windows. Back up files routinely and store your back-up copies in a secure location away from your home. Check into subscription services that allow you to back up information online for a fee.
Enrolling in a legal plan offers convenient access to a nationwide network of attorneys and legal resources, and can help protect you during desperate situations. These types of plans, which are offered by providers like ARAG, give members peace of mind knowing that they'll have immediate access to professional services and resources when a legal need arises.
Legal plans often cost less than a roadside assistance membership and are usually offered through employers or organizations, although some options are also available to individuals. To find out more about how legal plans work, visit www.ARAGgroup.com.
About ARAG
ARAG ® (www.ARAGgroup.com) provides affordable legal solutions through trusted service to help people protect what matters most.
ARAG is a world leader in legal protection services. The company has an international premium base of nearly $2 billion and protects 15.5 million individuals and their families.
ARAG's North American headquarters are based in Des Moines, Iowa. We are committed to providing our customers a choice of legal solutions to help them live a life full of opportunities. We demonstrate expertise, integrity and passion in everything we do to serve our customers and make a positive difference in our community. We are proud to sponsor ARAG Free Will Day, providing low and middle income citizens with free access to attorneys for the creation of important legal documents to protect their family, finances and future.
Media Contact
Jen Harken
ARAG Corporate Communications Manager
(515) 237-0271
[email protected]
SOURCE ARAG
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