Natural disasters can upend your life in an instant—and the financial fallout can feel just as overwhelming as the physical damage. Whether it’s a hurricane, wildfire, flood, or earthquake, the aftermath brings urgent decisions about insurance, payments, and recovery. But here’s the good news: you have more control over your financial recovery than you might think.

We’ve put together this straightforward checklist to help you navigate the financial side of disaster recovery. These steps will help you protect your money, avoid costly mistakes, and get back on solid ground faster.

Step 1: Contact Your Insurance Providers Right Away

As soon as it’s safe, reach out to your insurance companies. This likely includes homeowners, renters, flood, and auto insurance. Don’t wait—the sooner you report, the sooner claims can be processed.

When you call, ask about:
– What’s actually covered under your policies
– Emergency assistance like temporary housing or living expense reimbursement
– Documentation requirements so you know what to gather
– Timeline for the claims process
– Your claim number for reference

Step 2: Document Everything You’ve Lost or Damaged

In the chaos of a disaster, it’s easy to lose track of what you had. Create a detailed record:
– Make a list of damaged or lost items
– Capture video or photos of all affected areas
– Gather evidence from security cameras, Ring doorbells, or other home tech
– Email copies to yourself and your insurance company

This documentation becomes crucial for your claim, so be as thorough as possible.

Step 3: Pause Services You’re Not Using

If your home or car is unusable, you’re throwing money away on services you can’t access. Suspend or cancel:
– Cable and Wi-Fi
– Utilities (water, electricity, gas)
– Garbage service
– Auto insurance (if your car is totaled or unusable)

These savings add up quickly and give you breathing room during recovery.

Step 4: Talk to Your Creditors Before You Miss a Payment

A disaster often means temporary financial strain. Before a payment deadline hits, call your lenders and credit card companies. Be honest about your situation.

Tell them:
– How the disaster has impacted your ability to pay on time
– Whether they offer disaster assistance programs
– How you can avoid late fees or get them waived

If you do miss a payment and your credit takes a hit, you can add a 100-word statement to your free credit reports (available at AnnualCreditReport.com) explaining the disaster’s impact. While this won’t directly boost your score, it gives future lenders important context.

Step 5: Keep Cash on Hand

Power outages and damaged infrastructure mean electronic payments may not work. ATMs could be down, and many vendors might only accept cash.

Gather whatever cash you have stored at home and in safe places. This becomes your lifeline for groceries, gas, and essentials when the digital payment systems aren’t available.

Step 6: Access Disaster Assistance Resources

You’re not alone in recovery. Multiple organizations offer support to disaster survivors:
– Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
– American Red Cross
– Salvation Army
– Volunteers of America
– Department of Veterans Affairs (if applicable)

Your state and county emergency preparedness offices may also have additional resources. Take time to explore what’s available—these programs exist to help you.

Step 7: Protect Yourself from Scams

Here’s the harsh reality: scammers target disaster survivors when they’re vulnerable and distracted. Stay alert.

Be cautious of unsolicited offers for repair work, financial services, or assistance programs. Verify any organization before sharing personal information or money. When in doubt, contact official channels directly rather than responding to offers that come to you.

You’ve Got This

Recovery takes time, but having a financial action plan makes a real difference. By taking these steps—contacting insurers, documenting damage, reaching out to creditors, and accessing help—you’re taking control of your financial recovery and setting yourself up to move forward faster.

Remember: your money should work for you, even during tough times. Let Piere help automate your recovery plan so you can focus on what matters most.