Did you know that September is National Preparedness Month?

This month is meant to highlight the importance of emergency planning for families and the community. This year’s theme is Prepared, Not Scared.

As we approach the middle of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, many of us remember the devastating impact that last hurricane season brought to the Florida Panhandle. In October 2018, Hurricane Michael’s 155 m.p.h. winds caused catastrophic damage. Despite prior warnings, many were unprepared, physically, emotionally, and financially. This hurricane season, we encourage all residents of hurricane-prone areas to save early for potential disaster costs.

To help you get started this National Preparedness Month, let us share with you a few financial preparedness tips.

1. Create an emergency savings account.

If you do not already have an emergency savings account, you and your loved ones may consider creating one. Whether you choose to save some money from each of your paychecks or store a lump sum amount in your account, it is important to keep a small amount of cash on-hand, preferably in small bills. This will help the recovery process, especially as ATMs and credit cards may not work in the aftermath of the disaster.

2. Review your homeowners insurance policy.

This hurricane season, if you have not done so recently, we encourage you to spend some time reviewing your current homeowners insurance policy. This can help you become aware of the amount and extent of coverage you already have in the event of a disaster. Further, this may provide you with an opportunity to upgrade or change your policy accordingly. Many homeowners insurance policies, for example, do not cover flooding.

3. Store financial and legal documentation in a safe place.

As with most important documentation, it is critical to keep insurance policies, financial, and legal documents in a safe, secure, and waterproof place. This will make it easier for you to obtain important information you may need in the aftermath of a disaster. Similarly, having easy access to your insurance policies can help streamline the recovery process and provide you with some peace of mind during an already challenging time.

We know how overwhelming hurricane season can be, especially if you have experienced the devastating effects of the aftermath of a disaster.

Throughout the month we will be releasing more tips to prepare for disasters in honor of National Preparedness Month.

We encourage you to learn more about how we help our local community ensure it has the representation it needs when it comes to hurricane damage claims. We are your local, Tallahassee law firm here for you twenty-four hours a day. Do not wait to contact us to schedule a free case evaluation.