You can choose one of the methods below to get organized and keep track of your financial information and contact numbers.

Keep your information in a safe place

Create a way to find your important documents quickly after a disaster strikes because you may need them to apply for assistance or ask for help.

• Make a copy of your checklist and keep the original and the copy in separate places
• Store a digital copy on a web storage service and make sure it is password protected
• Keep a digital copy on a portable computer drive and make sure it is safe in a container that will not be damaged by fire or water

Review your insurance coverage

Check your policies or talk to your insurance company so you know what is covered if a natural disaster strikes. Check the size of any deductibles, because this is the amount you pay out of pocket.

home owner insurance pays for loss and damage to your property if something unexpected happens, such as fire or storm. Some policies cover the cost of rebuilding or replacing your home, called replacement costs. Other policies only cover the home’s current value, called actual cash value. Check for any limits on withdrawals. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover damage from earthquakes or floods, but you can purchase this additional coverage.

In some areas, homeowners find it difficult or expensive to keep their home insurance coverage. To purchase insurance, contact your state’s insurance department and find out which companies operate in your area. Look up your state’s information through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners .

Find out what you can take when home insurance costs rise or your insurer cancels your policy

Flood insurance pays for loss and damage to your property due to flooding. It’s usually sold separately from homeowner’s insurance. Flood insurance is commonly offered through FEMA, although you can purchase private flood insurance. You can get flood insurance even if you don’t live in a high-risk flood zone.

Renter’s insurance pays for loss and damage to your belongings. Like homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance typically covers damage from storms and fires, but not floods or earthquakes. You can buy a policy that covers your belongings in case of damage from flood or earthquake.

Comprehensive coverage for cars and other vehicles can pay for loss and damage caused by floods or other natural disasters. This is different from the liability coverage required in most states.

Know your climate risks

Regardless of where you live, it’s important to know your risk of being hit by a natural disaster so you can be better prepared for storms and other climate events and what they might cost. Information and statistics on natural disaster risks are publicly available. Unfortunately, there are no guaranteed ways to predict whether your property will be hit by a disaster in the future.

Start by checking whether your property is in one FEMA high risk flood zone . Enter your address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and zoom in until you see a zone sticker. High-risk flood zones begin with A or V. Of course, flooding can happen anywhere, and just because your property is outside of a high-risk flood zone doesn’t mean you’re free from risk.

Next, you must investigate the risk of being affected by a flood or wildfire. You can look up your address or your community using FEMA National Risk Index or USDA Wildfire Risk to Communities . You can also list your property or address on real estate websites or on other non-government websites, but some of them collect your personal data or charge fees. Make sure you understand what you’re signing up for and what it costs.

For homeowners

You may have options to mitigate and adapt to your risks of being affected by natural disasters.

Explore more questions to ask about risks affecting your home

For renters

As a tenant, you are not responsible for damage to a property due to a natural disaster. However, you may be injured, unable to return home, or experience loss or damage to your belongings.