| In August 2005, the people of the gulf coast United | | | | earthquakes, floods or hurricanes, it is important to |
| States suffered record losses of life, homes and | | | | look into the specific types of insurance designed to |
| businesses from Hurricane Katrina. Merely months | | | | financially protect you from the danger most |
| before, thousands lost their homes and lives in | | | | common to your area.3. Know what you own.If you |
| Southeast Asia during a reckless Tsunami. Although it | | | | are a victim of a disaster or emergency and you |
| is hard to imagine the threat of natural disasters and | | | | place an insurance claim on property or belongings, |
| emergencies until we find ourselves involved in one, it | | | | your insurance company will want to know exactly |
| is always smart to plan ahead. Use the following | | | | what was lost. It is important to keep track of your |
| three tips to help gauge whether you and your family | | | | most valuable belongings as well as proof such as |
| are financially prepared for an emergency situation or | | | | photos and deeds to property. Make a list of all of |
| disaster:1. Start an emergency savings fund.Many | | | | your valuables, and be specific. Be sure to take |
| individuals and families find it difficult to save for the | | | | pictures of the current state of each of these |
| future. While it is important to save for your | | | | belongings, like your car and the different facets of |
| retirement or your child's higher education, you | | | | your property, as proof of damage should a disaster |
| cannot forget to plan ahead in case of an | | | | strike. Make copies of your photos, as well as your |
| emergency. Insurance can help during a time of crisis, | | | | family's important documents. Keep these items in a |
| but very rarely does an insurance claim cover 100% | | | | locked safe or safety deposit box where at least |
| of the damages incurred from a natural disaster or | | | | one copy is out of harm's way at all times.ABOUT |
| other emergency. By putting away small amounts of | | | | ACCC: American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) |
| money each week, month or pay period, saving for | | | | is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to |
| an unexpected event can be very easy. Plus, with | | | | empowering consumers to regain control of their lives |
| automatic online transfers and direct deposit, banks | | | | through education, counseling and debt management. |
| and credit unions can automatically transfer money | | | | ACCC provides individuals with the practical solutions |
| from your paycheck each week to make your | | | | for solving financial problems and recognizes that |
| emergency savings much easier to swallow.2. Stay | | | | consumers' financial difficulties are often not the |
| insured.Disasters do happen and it never hurts to be | | | | result of poor spending habits, but more frequently, |
| prepared. While it is easy to think, "it'll never happen | | | | from extenuating circumstances beyond their control. |
| to me," the monthly insurance cost will seem like | | | | As one of the nation's leading providers in consumer |
| pennies should you find yourself in an emergency | | | | financial education and credit counseling services, |
| situation without any insurance helping to repair or | | | | ACCC works with consumers to help them with the |
| rebuild your home. If you live in a region traditionally | | | | best plan of action to reduce their debt and regain |
| prone to certain natural disasters such as | | | | financial stability. |