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HOME
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MAKE A PLAN
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DISASTERS
FAMILY
BUSINESS
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LOCAL INFO
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Prepare and Maintain Vital Records |
In addition to destroying public infrastructure and property, natural disasters ruin private property, which contributes to individual financial problems that often lead to bankruptcy. To avoid potential financial losses, begin be amassing an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit with insurance information, financial records, and other important documentation. It’s especially important to have insurance documentation readily accessible since a natural disaster can contribute to thousands and millions of dollars of property damage.
Inventory and Document All Your Possessions
Meticulously document an inventory of your private property to present to insurance companies following disasters. Take photographs or make videos of your house. Additionally, detail personal belongings in property inventory lists. The University of Illinois offers a property inventory known as the Household and Personal Property Inventory Book that can be downloaded for free.
Get Insured and Then Keep Records
Purchase life, health, and property insurance if you currently do not own any policies. Evaluate owned policies for coverage amounts to make sure that the amount is sufficient to have the resources necessary to care for your family in the event of an emergency.
Place property records, deeds, insurance policies, and other important documents within a fireproof safe or safety deposit box. Likewise, make extra copies of these documents and place them in a disaster supplies kit. If a natural disaster is declared by the President, having these documents readily accessible will simplify the process for obtaining FEMA and other federal benefits.
Save Cash for A Rainy Day
Place money exclusively for emergencies in a savings account, and place cash in a safe or other safe location that can be used if you must evacuate your home on short notice. During emergencies, ATMs and credit cards often do not work.
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