What's a 'financial go bag?' Everything you need for your money when disaster strikes

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Have all the essentials at the ready in case you need to survive a few days away from your home.

What about your finances in case of an emergency? If you need to evacuate quickly, you likely won't have time to gather all your account information, some cash, and other important things. That's why many financial experts suggest keeping a "financial emergency kit" alongside your flashlights, medical supplies, and water.

USA Today spoke with advisors to get their insights. Here's what they shared with us.

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Keep essential financial documents in your "financial go bag"

Pack your bag with original copies of your Social Security card, birth certificate, and passport, advises Vance Barse, founder of Your Dedicated Fiduciary, reminding you to include any other identification documents that you don't normally carry in your wallet.

In case of an emergency, it's a good idea to keep a copy of important documents like your driver's license in your emergency bag.

It's a good idea to have a copy of a utility bill or some other document that shows your address with you, in case your neighborhood is inaccessible when you return, so that you can prove where you live, advised David Alvarez, a financial advisor from San Antonio with PAX Financial Group.

Keep a list of all your account numbers - for banks, insurance companies, brokerages, your mortgage lender or landlord. It's a good idea to maintain a document that you update regularly with those numbers, your online passwords, and phone numbers for customer support for those accounts. Don't assume you'll have access to your computer where your passwords are stored, and don't rely on being able to retrieve contacts from your mobile phone to get in touch with your financial institutions.

Make sure to include copies of all your estate planning documents, such as trusts, wills, and medical directives.

Maintain one document that includes the essential roles and responsibilities for key individuals in your life: the person managing your estate, any brokers or bankers you have a relationship with, and the people listed in your medical directives.

Make sure all your insurance policies - from health care to homeowners - are included on the one-sheet listed above. Note down your policy numbers, the names of any agents or brokers you're working with, and the phone numbers for customer service. It's a good idea to document the contents of your home and their value regularly for insurance purposes. Alternatively, you can take photos to keep track, Alvarez advises.

Should you have this information on paper or electronically? Financial advisers are split on this issue. Barse and Alvarez both recommend paper copies. However, Heather Liston, who owns Clarity Financial, said, “I hope I’d be able to grab my laptop in an emergency, or at least pick up the small external hard drive where I keep a backup copy of all my computer files.”

What additional steps should you take to prepare your financial safety net?

Cash: several hundred dollars to as much as $1,000. It's also essential to consider that without power, you may not be able to access an ATM for an extended period. Additionally, it may be wise to pack a checkbook as well.

Make sure you have spare keys for all your vehicles, homes, and other properties you own, such as vacation houses and storage units. It's also a good idea to pack a padlock in case you need to temporarily relocate to a facility, like a tornado shelter with storage space, Barse recommended.

Please store everything in the bag in waterproof bags or pouches, and regularly inspect them to ensure they remain sealed.

* With a trusted person: Give a copy to a trusted friend or family member, so if disaster strikes, they can help you access the necessary information.

Keep your bag in a spot that protects it from water and fire damage - something like a bank safe deposit box at home could work, or you could consider a fire- and water-resistant file cabinet as an alternative if you don't have access to a safe.

You want to make sure it's easy to access, Alvarez said. You don't want to be struggling with locks when you need to get to safety.

Remember in an emergency, there will likely be others who also need assistance, Barse noted. "It's worth taking a little extra time upfront to avoid a lot of time and trouble later on in the wake of a disaster."

What is a "financial go bag"? Everything you need to secure your finances in case of an emergency or disaster.