Federal Emergency Management Agency - Before A Disaster - Preparing Financially

At a glance..

This brochure should help you cushion yourself against the financial blow of a disaster and help you regain much of your pre-disaster financial health as quickly as possible.

The details..

Natural disasters can strike at any time. Before you take action, it's important to involve your family or friends in decision making and planning. This brochure provides simple steps on how to protect your property against potential physical destruction caused by fire, flood, earthquake, hurricane or tornado.

Conducting a household inventory is also essential in preparing for disasters. Make sure that all of your financial documents are kept safe as they will be necessary after the event has passed. A visual or written record of possessions should be made room-by-room including less expensive items such as towels and clothes which add up if replaced.

Insurance coverage is crucial when dealing with unavoidable damage to property during a disaster. Many people affected by recent events have been underinsured - homeowners insurance doesn't cover floods and some other major disasters so make sure you're covered adequately.

This guide was created by NEFE, The American Red Cross and FEMA who provide practical advice on how best to cushion yourself against the financial blow of a disaster while helping you regain much of your pre-disaster financial health as quickly as possible.