September is National Preparedness Month, a time dedicated to encouraging everyone to take proactive steps to prepare for emergencies. We’ve all heard the key advice from FEMA and emergency services: make a plan, build a kit, and stay informed. These are critical steps for personal safety and survival.

But what about the financial fallout? The long road to rebuilding? The recovery that happens after the first responders have left? In an emergency, your physical and logistical preparedness can be derailed in an instant if you’re not financially prepared. This month, let’s go beyond the basics.

Pillar 1: The Pre-Disaster "Check-Up"

One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming their standard homeowners, renters, or business policy covers every type of disaster. They often don't realize that common risks like floods and earthquakes are excluded, or that their current coverage limits are outdated.

Your insurance agent can help you conduct a pre-disaster "check-up" of your policies. This isn't about selling you more; it's about identifying potential blind spots that could leave you vulnerable.

• Identify coverage gaps: A quick review can reveal if you need a separate policy for floods or earthquakes, especially if you live in a high-risk area.
• Ensure adequate coverage: With today's rising construction costs, the amount you were insured for five years ago may not be enough to rebuild your home or business today. Your agent can help you update your coverage to reflect current market realities.
• Discuss endorsements: Your agent can also advise on smaller, but equally important, coverages like sewer backup or service line protection, which can prevent unexpected expenses from a water-related event.

Pillar 2: The Documentation & Inventory Strategy

After a disaster, chaos reigns. People are stressed, displaced, and often have no proof of what they owned. Trying to remember every item in your home while in shock is nearly impossible. This lack of documentation can make the claims process incredibly difficult and can result in a smaller payout than you deserve.

Your insurance agent can provide guidance on a proper inventory strategy that will stand up during a claim. They can advise you to:

• Take photos or videos: Walk through every room of your home or business with a camera, capturing all of your belongings. This visual proof is invaluable.
• Create a secure, off-site record: Store digital copies of your home inventory, insurance policies, and other vital documents (like birth certificates and deeds) in a secure cloud-based service or a waterproof flash drive kept in your emergency kit.
• Keep receipts: For high-value items like electronics, jewelry, or special equipment, keep digital copies of receipts to prove their value.

Your insurance agent can provide you with a simple checklist to make this process easier. Having this information organized and accessible ensures that when the time comes to file a claim, you're ready.

Pillar 3: The Post-Disaster Action Plan

Once a disaster strikes, people are often in a state of shock and don't know the first steps to take. Delays in reporting a claim can lead to further damage and complications down the line.

Your insurance agent can guide you through the immediate aftermath, detailing the steps you need to take to file a claim.

• Understand the Process: Your agent can explain exactly what information you need to gather and how the claims process works from start to finish.
• Navigate the System: Your agent serves as your advocate, answering your questions, helping you fill out paperwork correctly, and facilitating communication with the insurance company's adjusters.
• Take Immediate Action: Your agent can remind you of crucial first steps, such as making temporary repairs to prevent further damage, which can be a condition of your policy.

This September, as you make your emergency plan and build your kit, don't forget the most critical step of all: securing your financial future. Because when disaster strikes, being prepared isn't just about surviving—it's about having the resources to recover and rebuild.

For more than 30 years, Beall Financial and Insurance Services, Inc., has been helping corporations and individuals protect their most important assets. The agency’s client base covers a spectrum of niche businesses, such as craft breweries, that require specialized insurance packages and knowledge. With California offices in Redlands and Newport Beach, Beall Financial and Insurance Services serves clients nationwide.