Report Damage Promptly To Insurance Companies: Contact your insurance agent or company immediately to report the details of the damage, including how, when, and where it occurred.

Document Damaged Items: Create a list of damaged or lost items and gather receipts if available. Take photos or videos of the damage for additional documentation. Document everything!

Retain Damaged Items: Keep damaged items until the claims adjuster has assessed them. Do not dispose of anything you intend to claim without consulting your adjuster first. They likely need items for auditing.

Save Receipts for Expenses: Keep receipts for any additional costs incurred, such as lodging, repairs, or supplies.

Copy All Documents: Make copies of all documents and photos submitted to your claims adjuster or insurance company. This will help with tax questions and financial recovery planning. Pro Tip: have digital copies of everything in advance of disasters and at the ready with a sharable link for emergencies. Taking time to document financial information and contact numbers before a situation occurs can save you time and stress in an emergency.

Stop Unnecessary Expenses: For example, notify utility and service companies to halt billing if your home is uninhabitable or destroyed.

Assess Finances: Estimate your income and emergency savings to prioritize bills, focusing on insurance premiums first, and vehicle, mortgage that provide transportation or shelter.

Communicate with Creditors: Contact creditors to request extended payment terms; many will accommodate if you reach out before the due date.

Important Documents and Where to Find Them

Identification:

Driver's License: Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Government-Issued ID: Contact the issuing authority

Military Discharge: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 1-800-827-1000 or TDD/TTY 1-800-829-4833

Passport: Visit the State Department website

Social Security or Medicare Card: Local Social Security office, 1-800-772-1213 or TDD/TTY 1-800-325-0778

Financial Documents:

Insurance Policies: Your insurance agent or company

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  

Income Tax Record: The IRS center where filed, your accountant or 1-800-829-1040

Mortgage Papers: Lending Institution

Personal Documents:

Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates: Bureau of Records in the appropriate state

Citizenship Papers: Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), 1-800-375-5283

Wills: Your attorney

If you or your property is affected by a disaster or emergency, you can contact your financial services company and ask for help. Find good information at the NCUA's https://mycreditunion.gov/life-events/planning-unexpected

You might ask for:

-Forbearance or adjusted repayment schedules on your loans or debts, along with clear explanations of what you are being offered

-A way to refinance your existing debts, or new loans with terms that are more realistic for you

-Reduced or waived fees and charges, like overdraft fees, or late fees

-Flexibility on paperwork required for loans or payment assistance, if you cannot locate or access documents because of the event

-Increase in the amount you are allowed to withdraw in cash from an ATM