How to Legally Prepare for Natural Disasters

Natural disasters have wreaked havoc in more than ten states in recent weeks. Tornadoes struck Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Georgia, Colorado, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma and North Carolina, causing damage and loss of life. Tornadoes were also reported in Texas and in western California and Wyoming. California has also seen wildfires. Earthquakes have rocked Nevada. As if these events weren’t enough, the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season is already underway and forecasters say we will likely experience a season well above average.

No one can predict when an emergency or disaster situation will strike, but if they are not prepared, a person faces a much greater burden and expense to resolve their legal issues.

Here are five tips to help you be better legally prepared for natural disasters and other life emergencies:

1) Review your home, auto and life insurance policies and understand your policy and coverage limits. Specifically, review the sections on physical damage caused by fire, hail, wind, tornadoes, floods, rains, storms, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Standard homeowners policies generally cover wind damage, but not flooding or storm surge. Sometimes flood insurance can be purchased separately. Most standard homeowners insurance also does not cover earthquake damage. Check with your insurance company to determine if a separate earthquake insurance policy can be purchased. Comprehensive auto insurance will likely cover physical damage to vehicles caused by storms and earthquakes. Be sure to review benefit amounts on life insurance policies and update beneficiaries if necessary.

2) Create a life document file that is a collection of important legal documents. A life document file can include identifying records such as a birth certificate and social security card, contracts, deeds, insurance policies, medical records, photos, and an inventory of financial assets. Keeping the records together in one place is beneficial in case you need to grab them and leave in case you need to evacuate your area quickly.

3) Draft will, living will and power of attorney forms. Tragically, inclement weather and earthquakes can cause injuries and take lives. Preparing essential legal forms in advance can help ensure your wishes are followed and reduce the burden on family members. You can prepare legal forms on your own by downloading state-specific documents online or consulting an attorney in your local area to have the documents prepared for you.

4) Keep your important documents in a safe place, like a home safe or a bank safe. Since these are vital records with a lot of personal information, it is necessary to keep them in a safe place to avoid misuse of your information.

5) Inform someone you trust about the location of your important documents. It can be a lawyer, a family member, or a close friend. Situations may arise where you cannot communicate and at least one person should know the location of your important documents. You can also back up important records with an attorney if you have one, or with a family member residing in another geographic location.