It seems as though there’s always a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, flood, fire, or mudslide happening somewhere in the United States. A storm or other natural disaster could destroy your home, business, or workplace and put you in financial straits, but there are things you can do both before and after the event to help you recover quickly.
Pre-Disaster
Create a Financial Emergency Kit
Put together a kit that contains some cash and checks, a list of important contacts (e.g., your insurance agent), and copies of important documents, including identification cards, birth and marriage certificates, insurance policies and inventories, wills, trusts, and deeds. Make sure your kit is stored in a safe, secure place in your home, is easy to reach and carry, and is both waterproof and fireproof. You’ll want to stash enough cash (or a credit card) to pay for immediate expenses such as gas, food, and lodging.
Tip: While you’re at it, you might also want to keep your most precious items in the kit, such as your special photos and family heirlooms.
Protect Your Assets
Take some commonsense precautions to safeguard your home, business, car, boat, and similar assets against damage from wind, water, fire, or other risks. For example, install an emergency generator and paperless drywall, keep loose objects (e.g., grills and patio furniture) secure, cut down overhanging tree limbs, park your car in a garage, and invest in storm windows, doors, and shutters.
Take Inventory
Create and maintain an inventory of your valuables, including appliances, electronics, furniture, clothing, jewelry, and artwork. Record models and serial numbers, and take pictures or a video of the items. This will help when it comes time to file insurance claims and purchase replacements.
Check Your Insurance Coverage
Make sure your insurance policies (e.g., homeowners, auto) include all the coverage you need, and understand that damage caused by natural disasters may not be covered under general types of policies. You may need to consider buying separate coverage for hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, or other disasters. Consult your insurance agent to determine whether you have adequate coverage given the likelihood of such events occurring in your area.
Post-Disaster
In the Immediate Aftermath, Proceed with Caution
While the disaster may have passed, health and safety hazards still may exist. Be aware that any building you’re in, including your home, may not be structurally sound, so carefully look for any apparent damage. Also, report contamination from spills of oil, gas, chemicals, or any hazardous substance.
Assess Your Property for Damage
Take pictures of damaged areas both inside and outside your home, including trees, landscaping, and yard structures such as sheds.
File Insurance Claims Immediately
Contact your insurance agent and file claims as soon as possible. The quicker you do so, the sooner you can get back on your feet.
Protect Your Income
If you end up out of work, take advantage of any employee assistance programs that your employer may offer. Seek unemployment compensation from your state and ask about special job considerations for disaster victims. Find out if special unemployment benefits are available through the Department of Labor.
Get Help from Emergency Sources
If you need immediate financial help, disaster relief funds and special programs (for example, housing assistance) may be available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or your state and local governments, as well as the American Red Cross, United Way, Salvation Army, social services, and local churches.
Consider Available Tax Breaks
Tax law allows taxpayers to deduct certain unreimbursed casualty losses in the year in which they are incurred, subject to certain limitations. In certain presidentially declared disaster areas, individuals can claim the loss (again, subject to certain limitations) in the prior tax year by filing an amended return. Moreover, special relief (for example, bonus depreciation for business property) may be granted in the case of specific disaster events. Be sure to consult your tax professional about any tax relief that may be available to you.
Get Legal Help, if Necessary
If you experience legal difficulties, you may want to consider hiring an attorney who specializes in the complex area of natural disaster law.
Don’t Ignore the Stress
Surviving a natural disaster can be a very stressful situation. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from family and friends. If you have young children, they may be upset about damage to their home and belongings. Be patient and try to explain what’s happened and how you’re going to try to get back to normal as soon as possible.
If you have insurance questions, contact the Experts at Henssler Financial: experts@henssler.com or 770-429-9166.
Disclosures
The following information is reprinted with permission from Forefield, a division of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. This article is meant to provide valuable background information on particular investments, NOT a recommendation to buy. The investments referenced within this article may currently be traded by Henssler Financial. All material presented is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and current, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The contents are intended for general information purposes only. Information provided should not be the sole basis in making any decisions and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional, such as a tax consultant, insurance adviser or attorney. Although this material is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with respect to the subject matter, it may not apply in all situations. Readers are urged to consult with their adviser concerning specific situations and questions. This is not to be construed as an offer to buy or sell any financial instruments. It is not our intention to state, indicate or imply in any manner that current or past results are indicative of future profitability or expectations. As with all investments, there are associated inherent risks. Please obtain and review all financial material carefully before investing. Henssler is not licensed to offer or sell insurance products, and this overview is not to be construed as an offer to purchase any insurance products.
