7 Ways to Prepare Your Finances for a Natural Disaster
It’s important to be financially prepared for a future potential emergency.
Laura Adams, MBA
The northeast is certainly suffering from its share of natural disasters. But no matter where you live, you’re prone to some kind of emergency, like a fire, flood, tornado, or earthquake. That’s why it’s important to be financially prepared for a future potential emergency.
Here are 7 tips to stay safe when disaster strikes:
Tip #1: Maintain an Emergency Fund
If you’re forced to evacuate or can’t work during a disaster and its recovery, you may be without a paycheck for some time. Therefore, it’s wise to have at least 3 to 6 months’ worth of living expenses in an FDIC-insured bank account to make sure that you have enough money to get through a tough time.
Tip #2: Keep Cash on Hand
Even if you live across the street from a bank or ATM, it won’t help you get cash if the power is out, streets are flooded, or high winds destroyed the building. So always keep some amount of cash on hand for an evacuation or to buy necessities.
Tip #3: Have a Credit Card
A credit card is a financial tool that can give you peace of mind and keep you safe in an emergency. Just make sure that you have a plan for how to pay off charges as quickly as possible so you don’t rack up excessive interest on the account.
Tip #4: Keep Important Papers Accessible
If you must evacuate, make sure that you don’t leave important papers behind. Consider keeping emergency documents and insurance policies in a watertight plastic bag in a fireproof safe or locked drawer that you could access quickly.
Tip #5: Use Online Banking
Even in an emergency situation, it’s important to continue paying bills on time so you avoid late fees and don’t jeopardize your credit. The easiest way to stay current is to utilize online bill pay through a mobile smart phone app or internet connection once you have access.
Tip #6: Communicate With Creditors
Never assume that your creditors and service providers know that you’ve been affected by a natural disaster. If you can’t make payments on time, contact your creditors and explain your hardship. You may be able to have payments deferred for several months or have late charges waived.
Tip #7: Save Your Receipts
If you have additional expenses during a disaster, such as a hotel or car rental, your insurance may cover a portion of them. You may also qualify for tax benefits if the government declares that your home or office is in a disaster relief area and you have sufficient records to make a claim.
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Tornado Hitting House photo from Shutterstock.
About the Author
Laura Adams received an MBA from the University of Florida. She’s an award-winning personal finance author, speaker, and consumer advocate who is a frequent, trusted source for the national media. Money-Smart Solopreneur: A Personal Finance System for Freelancers, Entrepreneurs, and Side-Hustlers is her newest title. Laura’s previous book, Debt-Free Blueprint: How to Get Out of Debt and Build a Financial Life You Love, was an Amazon #1 New Release. Do you have a money question? Call the Money Girl listener line at 302-364-0308. Your question could be featured on the show.