In addition to the physical and emotional impact of a disaster, you may also face financial challenges in the days, weeks and even months or years ahead. Of course, ensuring your family’s physical safety is your first priority. Afterward, you can begin to take these practical steps to recover your financial well-being.
Insurance Claims
Contact your insurance agent, broker or insurance company as soon as you can to report how, when and where the damage occurred. Provide a general description of the damage.
Prepare a list of damaged or lost items and provide receipts if possible. Consider photographing or videotaping the damage where it occurred for further documentation to support your claim.
If possible, keep damaged items or portions of those items until the claims adjuster has visited your home. Do not throw away anything you plan to claim without discussing it with your adjuster first.
Keep receipts for all additional expenses that you may incur such as lodging, repairs or other supplies.
Make copies of all documents and pictures given to your claims adjuster or insurance company. Besides insurance, there are many
questions related to taxes, expenses and determining just how you will recover from a personal financial point of view.
Cash Flow, Bills and Debt
Stop unnecessary expenses. For example, if your home is temporarily uninhabitable or totally destroyed, notify the utility company and
other service companies, such as the phone company, so they can stop billing immediately.
Estimate the amount of income and emergency savings you have to pay bills while you recover from the disaster, then prioritize your
bills. Paying your insurance premiums and rent or mortgage should be your top priority.
Call any creditors and ask for more time to pay. Most creditors will be willing to work with you, especially if you notify them before
a payment is due.
Replacing Vital Documents Lost in the Disaster
Driver's License
Department of Motor Vehicles
Government Issued ID
Contact the issuing authority
Insurance Policies
Your insurance agent or company
Military Discharge
Department of Veterans Affairs, Papers
1-800-827-1000 or TDD/TTY 1-800-829-4833
Passports
State Department—Passport Services
202-955-0430 (24 hours)
Birth, Death, Marriage and Certificates
Bureau of Records in the appropriate state
Social Security or Medicare Cards
Local Social Security office
1-800-772-1213 or TDD/TTY 1-800-325-0778
Credit Cards
The issuing financial institution, as soon as possible
Titles to Deeds
Records department of the area in which the property is located
Stocks and Bonds
Issuing company or your broker
Wills
Your attorney
Income Tax Record
The IRS center where filed, your accountant or 1-800-829-1040
Citizenship Papers
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, 1-800-375-5283
Mortgage Papers
Lending Institution
Article from The American Red Cross
Insurance Claims
Contact your insurance agent, broker or insurance company as soon as you can to report how, when and where the damage occurred. Provide a general description of the damage.
Prepare a list of damaged or lost items and provide receipts if possible. Consider photographing or videotaping the damage where it occurred for further documentation to support your claim.
If possible, keep damaged items or portions of those items until the claims adjuster has visited your home. Do not throw away anything you plan to claim without discussing it with your adjuster first.
Keep receipts for all additional expenses that you may incur such as lodging, repairs or other supplies.
Make copies of all documents and pictures given to your claims adjuster or insurance company. Besides insurance, there are many
questions related to taxes, expenses and determining just how you will recover from a personal financial point of view.
Cash Flow, Bills and Debt
Stop unnecessary expenses. For example, if your home is temporarily uninhabitable or totally destroyed, notify the utility company and
other service companies, such as the phone company, so they can stop billing immediately.
Estimate the amount of income and emergency savings you have to pay bills while you recover from the disaster, then prioritize your
bills. Paying your insurance premiums and rent or mortgage should be your top priority.
Call any creditors and ask for more time to pay. Most creditors will be willing to work with you, especially if you notify them before
a payment is due.
Replacing Vital Documents Lost in the Disaster
Driver's License
Department of Motor Vehicles
Government Issued ID
Contact the issuing authority
Insurance Policies
Your insurance agent or company
Military Discharge
Department of Veterans Affairs, Papers
1-800-827-1000 or TDD/TTY 1-800-829-4833
Passports
State Department—Passport Services
202-955-0430 (24 hours)
Birth, Death, Marriage and Certificates
Bureau of Records in the appropriate state
Social Security or Medicare Cards
Local Social Security office
1-800-772-1213 or TDD/TTY 1-800-325-0778
Credit Cards
The issuing financial institution, as soon as possible
Titles to Deeds
Records department of the area in which the property is located
Stocks and Bonds
Issuing company or your broker
Wills
Your attorney
Income Tax Record
The IRS center where filed, your accountant or 1-800-829-1040
Citizenship Papers
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, 1-800-375-5283
Mortgage Papers
Lending Institution
Article from The American Red Cross
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