ok into the specific types of insurance designed to financially protect you from the danger most common to your area.

3. Know what you own.

If you are a victim of a disaster or emergency and you place an insurance claim on property or belongings, your insurance company will want to know exactly what was lost. It is important to keep track of your most valuable belongings as well as proof such as photos and deeds

In August 2005, the people of the gulf coast United States suffered record losses of life, homes and businesses from Hurricane Katrina. Merely months before, thousands lost their homes and lives in Southeast Asia during a reckless Tsunami. Although it is hard to imagine the threat of natural disasters and emergencies until we find ourselves involved in one, it is always smart to plan ahead. Use the following three tips to help gauge whether you and your family are financially prepared for an emergency situation or disaster:

1. Start an emergency savings fund.

Many individuals and families find it difficult to save for the future. While it is important to save for your retirement or your child’s higher education, you cannot forget to plan ahead in case of an emergency. Insurance can help during a time of crisis, but very rarely does an insurance claim cover 100% of the damages incurred from a natural disaster or other emergency. By putting away small amounts of money each week, month or pay period, saving for an unexpected event can be very easy. Plus, with automatic online transfers and direct deposit, banks and credit unions can automatically transfer money from your paycheck each week to make your emergency savings much easier to swallow.

2. Stay insured.

Disasters do happen and it never hurts to be prepared. While it is easy to think, “it’ll never happen to me,” the monthly insurance cost will seem like pennies should you find yourself in an emergency situation without any insurance helping to repair or rebuild your home. If you live in a region traditionally prone to certain natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods or hurricanes, it is important to look into the specific types of insurance designed to financially protect you from the danger most common to your area.

3. Know what you own.

If you are a victim of a disaster or emergency and you place an insurance claim on property or belongings, your insurance company will want to know exactly what was lost. It is important to keep track of your most valuable belongings as well as proof such as photos and deeds

auge whether you and your family are financially prepared for an emergency situation or disaster:

1. Start an emergency savings fund.

Many individuals and families find it difficult to save for the future. While it is important to save for your retirement or your child’s higher education, you cannot forget to plan ahead in case of an emergency. Insurance can help during a time of crisis, but very rarely does an insurance claim cover 100% of the damages incurred from a natural disaster or other emergency. By putting away small amounts of money each week, month or pay period, saving for an unexpected event can be very easy. Plus, with automatic online transfers and direct deposit, banks and credit unions can automatically transfer money from your paycheck each week to make your emergency savings much easier to swallow.

2. Stay insured.

Disasters do happen and it never hurts to be prepared. While it is easy to think, “it’ll never happen to me,” the monthly insurance cost will seem like pennies should you find yourself in an emergency situation without any insurance helping to repair or rebuild your home. If you live in a region traditionally prone to certain natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods or hurricanes, it is important to look into the specific types of insurance designed to financially protect you from the danger most common to your area.

3. Know what you own.

If you are a victim of a disaster or emergency and you place an insurance claim on property or belongings, your insurance company will want to know exactly what was lost. It is important to keep track of your most valuable belongings as well as proof such as photos and deeds

es an insurance claim cover 100% of the damages incurred from a natural disaster or other emergency. By putting away small amounts of money each week, month or pay period, saving for an unexpected event can be very easy. Plus, with automatic online transfers and direct deposit, banks and credit unions can automatically transfer money from your paycheck each week to make your emergency savings much easier to swallow.

2. Stay insured.

Disasters do happen and it never hurts to be prepared. While it is easy to think, “it’ll never happen to me,” the monthly insurance cost will seem like pennies should you find yourself in an emergency situation without any insurance helping to repair or rebuild your home. If you live in a region traditionally prone to certain natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods or hurricanes, it is important to look into the specific types of insurance designed to financially protect you from the danger most common to your area.

3. Know what you own.

If you are a victim of a disaster or emergency and you place an insurance claim on property or belongings, your insurance company will want to know exactly what was lost. It is important to keep track of your most valuable belongings as well as proof such as photos and deeds

tay insured.

Disasters do happen and it never hurts to be prepared. While it is easy to think, “it’ll never happen to me,” the monthly insurance cost will seem like pennies should you find yourself in an emergency situation without any insurance helping to repair or rebuild your home. If you live in a region traditionally prone to certain natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods or hurricanes, it is important to look into the specific types of insurance designed to financially protect you from the danger most common to your area.

3. Know what you own.

If you are a victim of a disaster or emergency and you place an insurance claim on property or belongings, your insurance company will want to know exactly what was lost. It is important to keep track of your most valuable belongings as well as proof such as photos and deeds

ok into the specific types of insurance designed to financially protect you from the danger most common to your area.

3. Know what you own.

If you are a victim of a disaster or emergency and you place an insurance claim on property or belongings, your insurance company will want to know exactly what was lost. It is important to keep track of your most valuable belongings as well as proof such as photos and deeds to property. Make a list of all of your valuables, and be specific. Be sure to take pictures of the current state of each of these belongings, like your car and the different facets of your property, as proof of damage should a disaster strike. Make copies of your photos, as well as your family’s important documents. Keep these items in a locked safe or safety deposit box where at least one copy is out of harm’s way at all times.

ABOUT ACCC: American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering consumers to regain control of their lives through education, counseling and debt management. ACCC provides individuals with the practical solutions for solving financial problems and recognizes that consumers’ financial difficulties are often not the result of poor spending habits, but more frequently, from extenuating circumstances beyond their control. As one of the nation’s leading providers in consumer financial education and credit counseling services, ACCC works with consumers to help them with the best plan of action to reduce their debt and regain financial stability. For more information or to access free financial education resources log on to www.consumercredit.com.