The ‘in case of emergency’ file every family should have
One place that tells someone you trust where everything is — documents, contacts and key details — if you can’t tell them yourself. Here’s what to include.
On this page
It’s the quietest kind of care: making sure that if you couldn’t explain where everything is, someone you trust still could. Here’s how to build it — simply.
What to include
- Where key documents are — passports, wills, deeds, insurance policies, certificates.
- Important contacts — GP, solicitor, insurers, employer, close family.
- Accounts & policies that exist — and where to find them (not the passwords).
- Any wishes or instructions you’d want known.
It’s not a will
A will handles the legal side after death. This is broader and more practical — it helps a partner or family member manage life during illness or an emergency and find what they need fast.
In short
An ‘in case of emergency’ file records where your important things are and the details a trusted person would need if you couldn’t tell them — documents, contacts and where accounts live (never passwords). It’s practical care that spares your family a stressful search at the hardest time.
Frequently asked questions
What should an ‘in case of emergency’ file include?
Where key documents are kept (passports, wills, deeds, insurance); who your important contacts are (GP, solicitor, insurers); which accounts and policies exist and where to find them; and any wishes or instructions. Record where to find things — never store passwords or full account numbers.
Isn’t this just a will?
No. A will handles the legal side after death. An ‘in case of’ file is broader and more practical: it helps someone manage day-to-day things during illness or an emergency, and find what they need quickly — including things a will never covers.
Where should I keep it?
Somewhere secure and private, that a trusted person can access when needed — not a random folder or an open inbox. The point is that it’s both safe and findable by the right person.