Being ready for a disaster is more than storing water and supplies; you also need to be financially ready. Having adequate insurance, a plan to pay your bills and access to your important records and accounts will help you get back on your feet faster following a disaster.

• Assemble your important documents and contacts.
• If you do not have an original version of a document, contact the appropriate company or agency to obtain a copy.
• Print or download statements of any obligations that you pay automatically, such as rent or mortgage payments, utilities, loan payments, and memberships.
• Take photographs or record a video of the rooms in your home and any valuable belongings. Include copies of these records with either your paper or electronic versions of your important documents.
•  Keep some cash in the same safe location to pay for emergency purchases if ATMs are not functioning or banks are closed. The amount of cash should be based on the basic needs of your family.

• Review your insurance policies and financial paperwork to be sure that they are still accurate and current.
•  If you own a home, ensure that your homeowners insurance coverage is adequate.
•  If you rent, ensure that your lease reflects your current rent and verify that your renters insurance is up-to-date.

• Store paper and electronic copies of all files in safe locations.
• Consider storing paper copies of important documents at home in a fireproof and waterproof box or safe, in a bank safe deposit box, or with a trusted friend or relative.
• For electronic copies of important documents, store them in a password-protected format on a removable flash or external hard drive in your fireproof and waterproof box or safe, or consider using a secure offsite storage service.

More information: www.Santa-Clarita.com/emergency

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