April is Financial Preparedness Month

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Will you be prepared if a disaster strikes? Reports indicate 40-percent of adults are not financial prepared to cover an unexpected expense of $400. A disaster or emergency can strike anytime, anywhere. In these stressful times, having access to personal financial, insurance, medical and other records is crucial for starting the recovery process quickly and efficiently.

Take small steps to be ready when a disaster strikes. The best way to be financially prepared for a disaster is by saving.  A rainy day fund will allow you to invest in your safety by setting aside month for emergencies.

Operation HOPE can help strengthen your financial preparedness through the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK). The EFFAK can help you start to prepare by offering guidance on managing finances, offers insights on dealing with credit scores, and describes what to expect should a disaster strike your community. All of this will help families prepare today for both the big incidents and minor emergencies.

Before a disaster strikes, review your insurance coverage.  Insurance is the fastest way to recover after a disaster.  Homeowners and renters insurance do not typically cover flood damage.  Talk to your agent to find out what is covered in your existing policy and ask about the availability of flood insurance.

It is also recommended that you document your personal property now to expedite future insurance claims. 

Save digital copies of your household identification, financial and legal documents, medical information and insurance policies in order to quickly and safely access them in the event of an emergency or disaster.  If you cannot save them digitally, gather all the documents store them in a safety deposit box. 

For more information on how you can reduce the financial impact of a disaster or emergency, visit Ready Site.