By Cola Lewis
New York (AP) -The wildfire, floods, snowstorms, tornadoes, or if you live in a part of the world that is prone to earthquakes, there is a way to make a financial preparation beyond insurance.
The Federal Emergency Management Association and the Red Cross have households collecting important documents and contacts in safe places, taking pictures, recording videos of valuable belongings, and ATMs and ATMs. If you have cash, you advise you. Electronic or online banking resources are not available in other guidance.
Lisa Berdie, a director in charge of Financial Health Network, a organization that focuses on unreasonable consumers, calls these steps “preparation”, but “reduces the effects of climate.” We emphasize the need for investment to reduce risk. “
“The important thing here is not only the event that grasps the headline, but also the recognition that it is a small event or a chronic stresser (for example, heat).” Action that households can be considered. Part of the step (there) includes the danger of health that deteriorates due to the weather resistance of the house and the danger of climate such as mold and air quality. “
In the case of a disaster, what can be done to be more financially prepared and organized:
First, compile and evaluate
According to Fema, the first thing to do is compile important documents. These include a birth certificate, a marriage certificate, a social security card, a military service record and a pets ID tag, microchip, and vaccination record.
Other organized documents include housing payments, utility bills, credit/debit card information, receipts from child support, small stamps, savings, retirement account numbers, insurance contracts, paid tax system, will There are and so on.
The medical information you have includes health insurance and pharmacy cards, recording of vaccination and allergies, copying prescriptions, and records of medical devices or equipment for disability.
Create a record of the following important contacts:
1. Representative of the landlord or mortgage 2. Doctors, dentists, or other medical providers 4. 5 representatives in charge of military benefits and social and disability services. Support technology or medical device provider 9. Neighborhood, citizens, contact information on worship areas
“Save an important phone number other than your mobile phone somewhere,” Fema advises.
Why do you need this information?
If you apply for a disaster support, you may need to show your ID or income. Also, if the check is destroyed, or if online access is down, it may be necessary to re -establish a financial account.
Other records can prove the head of the household, maintain or re -establish contact with family and friends, maintain contact with employers, and apply for other forms of support.
How can I organize my financial life to prepare for a disaster?
If you do not have the original version of the above documentation, contact the appropriate company or institution to request a copy. If you receive a paper check for federal benefits, consider registering for automatic benefits, and if you receive a paper check from the employer, you will need to request a direct deposit or a prepaid debt card. please.
FEMA also advises printing or downloading invoices paid, such as rent, mortgage payments, public interest businesses, loans, and membership fees. Downloading banks and invoices for mobile phones can also help maintain mobile in an emergency.
Shooting or recording a video of your home or valuable belongings is also recommended as a form of record holding.
Store cash with important documents
The FEMA and the Red Cross are advised to hold cash in the same safe place as important documents paid for urgent purchases if the ATM is not working or the bank is not closed. The amount of cash must be based on the basic needs of families, including gas, food and medicine.
Make sure the information is up to date
Check your insurance contracts and financial documents to make sure it is accurate and up to date, including insurance for housing owners, cars, and lessors.
Save the document safely
Save paper and electronic copy of all files in a safe place. Consider storing a copy of the paper with fire -resistant boxes, waterproof boxes or safety, bank safe deposits, or reliable friends or parent Relative.
If you are already using a safety deposit box, check the state law and if the owner died on your own due to injury or illness, or if you cannot access it yourself, you can access the safe, and you will not be able to access it. Check, Fema advises.
To save an electronic copy of an important document, use a password protected with a flash or external hard drive. You can also hold this in the fire -resistant box.
Finally, update consistently
Review and update the documentation regularly.
When your insurance changes, when you change, open, open, close your bank account, you are retired when you have a child, you are planning to retire Updating is especially important when a major change in your life occurs. If the household is dead.
AP communication has been supported by the Charleschwab Foundation for education and explanation reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent Foundation is different from Charles Schwab and CO. Inc. AP is responsible for its journalism alone.
Initially issued: January 24, 2025 1:39 pm
