I too have been lurking for a while, but thought this was a good opportunity to post. I've been giving this one some thought for a while. As a computer geek I realize just how vulnerable these things can be. Despite some previous posts, identity theft is a real issue, especially with all of your personal data in one place.

I've been mulling over an emergency USB key with all of my info encrypted with something like PGP (which can incidentally do data wiping). However, without an available kill-switch which would delete data upon an attempt to copy/decipher the encrypted content, it will be fairly vulnerable if it falls into the wrong hands, a real possibility in a disaster oremergency or of course with the more likely theft or loss.

I've been thinking of a modified strategy where I store the basic information on USB that MOST IMPORTANTLY would be CONVENIENT to have handy and yet not able to compromise my security. As an addition, storing the remainder in encrypted file format on my google or yahoo email account (as draft, etc.) would keep it behind my email password as well as encrypted. I would also recommend hiding it via deceptive file naming.

For things like this it's important to have your secured info availble to your spouse and probably a really good friend or two, or at least your lawyer.

Anyway, some things you could keep hand on USB - all in plaintext form so you or others can retrieve it:
1) House Inventory with serial numbers and any special insurance info.
2) Emergency contact Information (Insurance agencies, emergency agencies, police, fire, area hospitals, news broadcast stations, radio frequencies, etc.)
3) Contact numbers for friends and family, your kids' school numbers, work number.
4) Current prescriptions, allergies, medical conditions such as diabetes, etc. This is so you can potentially get prescriptions refilled and so medical personnel or emergency personnel can get it if needed. Eyeglass/contact info would be handy too.
5) Stationary image maps / Mapping software with preloaded maps - all important locales and routes preplanned and marked. Paper version of this probably should be part of a BOB as well as car and hiking kits. I'll assume it's in any aircraft...
6) (potentially encrypted) file with a pre-paid credit card loaded with at least $250 (American Express). This, even if stolen can't go past the amount listed, and I think you can get them without personal info tied to them.... a similar idea is an emergency gas card number, area hotel gift card number, pre-paid phone card, etc. Even Travelers Cheques numbers which you could claim as destroyed/lost and have them replaced wherever you arrive.
7) Candid pictures of yourself and your family with your names printed with the picture - use ones which could not conceivably be hacked into a fake ID like a Drivers license, etc. - slightly at angle, not complete face shot, etc.

Any other non-personal information that's likely to be needed by you or those who find you (hopefully alive if not conscious).

*****

Some things for your Google or Yahoo or other web-accessible email. I recommend keeping it at more than one in case one goes down:
1) Medical Records with social security number tied to them. Plain text will do, but scanned in with MRIs, X-Rays, etc. would be good.
2) SSN (Social Security Number for those overseas) - whatever your National ID card is. - Scanned in.
3) Drivers License - Scanned in.
4) State ID Card - Scanned in.
5) Savings, Checking, Credit Card and Home Safe combination numbers
6) Marriage License and Birth Certificates - Scanned in.
7) Passports - Scanned in.
8) School certificates - although I can't think of any time you'd need this, except perhaps doctors or emergency personnel to prove their bona fides. That means you should also include copies of any certificates you hold along with the contact information of your certification board.

Any other sensitive financial or identification information for which you might have a need.

My point here is that anything on the keyfob should be virtually unusable, even should it fall into "enemy" hands. Thus anything you'd feel uncomfortable leaving around unencrypted in public shouldn't go on here. Anything that you would encrypt should have no ties to your personal data or be a conduit for a crook to retrieve that information based on what's on the key.

I don't think it's excessively paranoid to think that keeping your account and personal info secure is a good thing. If I have your home phone and a clean copy of your birth certificate, I could effectively become you in a matter of hours, opening new accounts, wiping out your existing balances and I'm not exactly schooled in the methods. For a real crook, I would think the less they have the better!