If. . 1 ~~ ~ ~Finance and InsuranceStoring Important Papers mmmm m mmm Um_mmmu__m_muum__mum Page 2Personal Property Inventory GUidelines m_m m_m__mm__m_mum__m_mm_mumum Page 2Money on Hand _u_u uu_u uu uu_uuuu__uuu u u uuu_u Page 3Are you Adequately Insured? u mummum_m_mum_mmmmmmm_mmmmmmu Page 3Filing an Insurance Claim m__m_m___mm m mum_mmm_m_m__m mm__ Page 3Hiring a Contractor u_uuuu__u u__u_u_u_uu_uu_u__u_u_u u_u_uu_u_u__u_ Page 4Important Records m um_mumum m m m_m"m__ummm InsertsA - D

AN EMERGENCYPREPAREDNESS NEWSLETTER . ISSUE NUMBER 5

BE PREPAT<ED. . . PLAN AHEAD!When a natural disaster strikes, you have little time to think and act. Being prepared is important. Beingprepared includes organizing your finances. This issue of 1?EAl)(ornot? discussessimple ways to protect

your finances in times of emergency. Getting your financiat information organized is the first step.

MAKEARNANj/AL NOfEBOOKA financial notebook provides quick access to your financial records andresponsibilities.Also, it will help others manage your financial affairs if you are unableto do so.

A simple three-ring binder works well. The binder allows pages to be added ordeleted cisneeded. It also provides easy access for copying pages to be stored in asafe deposit box or given to a friend or relative as a back-up plan.

RNANj/AL NOTBKXJKCONfENTS*

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1. Locationof important papers & records form.2. Personalproperty inventory form.3. Checking, savings and investmentaccounts.4. Listof other financial obligations.5. Insurancepolicy, account numbersand contacts.6. Listof credit card companies and account numbers..see insert forms in this newsletter for more details

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DANR Publication ANRPOJ4. TheEmergency Preparedness Newsletter series was developed as a resource for individualsand families.Eachnewsletteraddressesa specifictopicto help youprepare for the next "naturaldisaster". Topicsinclude"Planningforan Emergency"';"Safety";"Foodand Water";"Considerationsfor Children";"Financeand Insurance";and "Clean-up".

Important papers and familyrecords should be stored in a safe place. Home filingsystemsarefine, but for additional safekeeping, follow these suggestions:

Safe Deposit Box: A safe deposit box may be rented at your local bank for a smallannual fee. A safe deposit box is usefulfor valuable or hard to replace documentssuch as birth certificates, citizenship papers, passports, marriage, divorce,militarydischarge papers, etc. It is also a good place to keep property deeds, vehicle pinkslips,legal agreements, financial documents and wills.

Fireproof/Waterproof Boxat Home: Fireand waterproof boxes can be purchased atan office supply store. Theycan be used to store infrequently used documents such as canceled checks,insurance policies,recent income tax returns,warranties, burial instructions,wills,powers of attorney, etc.

Attorney/Relative/Friend:In addition to storage boxes, it isoften important to have a person who couldmanage your business affairs if you become injured or die. Thisperson should have a copy of yourpower of attorney, willand burial instructions.

Documents in YourWallet: Itemswhich you may need quick access to should be kept in your wallet.These includeyour driver's license,ATMcard, a few blank checks, credit cards, .socialsecurity numbersand medical insurance IDfor you and familymembers. In addition, keep a listof the name, addressand phone numbers of your children'sschools,employers, familydoctor and a close friend or relative.Includea number of a translator for a non-Englishspeakjng relative at home.

Ps<soNALPRoPERlYfM£NlOR(

W'rllfen, photOfrophs,ontl/or video

Ifa disasfer.destroys your personal and household property, you may have difficultyremembering the details and extent of your losses.A written and pictorial inventoryof your possessions can provide a record of your property's existence and value.Atminimum,maintain a written record. Photographs prove property existence moreconclusively.

Ifpossible, use a video camera to photograph your personal property ana householdpossessions.When recording, start with your most valuable possessions such as jewelry,antiques, art,appliances, electronic equipment, cameras, tools,sports equipment and hobby collections.Remember toincludespecial customfeatures of your home along with the interior and exterior shots.

It ishelpfulto have one person video taping while another describes the item and writes down the modelor serial numbers of major itemson your Personal Property Inventoryform (see insertl.

Issue5 - Page 2 7<EADYor not?

L()jAT/ONOFIMFORrANrPAPeRSAND~S

DItT£1.Safe deposit box number:2. Location of safe deposit box (bank name/address):3. Location of safe deposit keys:4. Authorized users for safe deposit box:5. Location of Financial Notebook:

L()jAT/ONOFDrxI/MENfS(use symbols to indicate location)

S =safe depositbox F =FinancialNotebook HF=HomeFile W=wallet

Personol~ortlsbirth certificates

health care power of attorneynaturalization papersdivorce papersmilitarydischarge papers

death certificates

passportsmarriage certificateswills

educational certificates/degrees

Properly ~ortlscredit cards

home purchase/appraisal paperstrust documents

deed to burial plotincome tax recordsbillsof sale

vehicle pink slipstitle policiesfor home/landdeeds to other propertyproperty tax receiptslegal agreements

personal prop~rty inventory& video

IIM3Sfment Documentscertificates of depositbondsmutual fundsother

IRA's

stoc ks

IOU's/contracts

Insuro/lCePolicieslifehomedisabilitylong term care

healthautoliabilityother

~,4[)( ornot? Issue5 - Insert A

make additionalcopies of thisform as needed

(Start with your most valuable possessionsl

DATEPURCHASED

PROPERTYITEMDESCRIPTION

MODELSERIAL

ORIGINALCOST

CURRENTVALUE

REPLACEMENTCOST

Issue 5 - Insert B ~A[)y' or notP

NO.

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I I

CHECKINGANDSAI/INGSAXOVNTS.

Type of Account Account Holder Account Number Name/Address of Financial Institution

orHeRINl/ESTMENTAXOVNTS(These can include CD's, IRA's,mutual funds, stocks, bonds, contracts. etc.)

Type of Account Account Holder Account Number Name/Address for Account

ovrsrANDINGLOANS!Include home, car, education, personal, real estate, business, etc.)

Typeof loan Person Responsible Payment Due AmountDue Name/Address of loan Institution/Personto Pay loan I (monthly, auarterly yearly)

LOANSOWEDTO YOU - ~--

Borrower's Name Payment Amount Due Amount

REAl)( or not? Issue 5 - Insert C

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_. _.Jon Address, Phone Due Date Still Owed

INSURANCEFOUCIES

Tme of Poliey/Company name Person(sllnsured PolieyNo. Agent & Phone

UsrOF CRE[)/TCAT<DS--

Credit Card Company Account Number Account Holder Phone No. to Report

Missing Card

Issue 5 - Insert D 1?EAlJ( or not?

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Health

Homeowner's/Renter's (Flood Coverage: Yes/N( ; Earthquake Covera e: Yes/Nol

Auto/Boats/RV's/Trailers/Other Vehicles

Liability

life

,

Disability

Lonq Term Care

MONEYONHANDPower outages and transportation difficultiesoften accompany a natural disaster.Youmay not be able toget to your local bank for necessary cash. Being prepared means having a variety of financial optionsavailable to you. Here are some suggestions:

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A1<£YOlI AD£QIIItT£LYINSl/RB).'?

.Keep a certain amount of cash at home and in your wallet..Have ready access to a checking account and an ATM card..Have a major credit card in your name..Have a listing of your various bank account numbers for savings and checking..Keep a full tank of gas in the car in case evacuation is necessary.

Insurance protects individualsand familiesagainst financial losscaused by accidents,illness,death, loss of personal property and lossof income. Purchasinginsurance isthe primary way to protect yourselffrom financial burdens. Reviewyour insurancepoliciesyearly to insure you have the amount of coverage you need.

Only you can really know if you are adequately insured.U.c. Cooperative Extension'publication,Insurance:ReducingYourRisk,discussesthe common types and benefits of

basic insurance policies.Referto page 4, of this pamphlet in the section "Want More Information?"to findhow to order publication #21476.

Keep these things in mindwhen you file an insurance claim on damage to your home:

. It is important to file a claim even if you do not believe your homeowner's policy providescoverage. Thiswill provide the documentation you need to deduct the losses from your incometax the following year as a "casualty loss."

· Notify your agent a~d/or insurance company promptly. A~kyour insurance agent to send anadjuster as soon as possible.

· Check your policy for the amount of coverage and limitations.Take pictures of all the damagebefore your begin any clean up or repairs.

· Get your own estimates on the damages. Youcan employ a licensed public adjuster to helpyou in evaluating your claim and bargaining with your insurance company.

· Do not be too quick to settle a claim if you feel you are not getting your fullinsured value. .

· Youcan ask your insurance company for a cash settlement and employ yourown contractor to fixyour home.

·DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING UNTILYOU REALLYUNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SIGNING.

7<EADY or not? Issue5 - Page 3

If your home has sustaineddamage, you may need to select a competent contractor to make repairs. Useonly licensed contractors. Unlicensedcontractors are not regulated by the government and may not havethe necessary skillsto properly repair damages. Recourseis limited if you useunlicensedcontractors andare unhappy with their performance.

Get two or three written estimatesfor each repair job and compare prices andterms.

Before you hire a contractor, verify the statusof the contractor's licensewith yourlocal Contractors State license Board. Ask the contractor for referencesfrom formercustomersand check the references.Youcan also check with the local Better

BusinessBureau to learn about the company's reputation.

If you employ your own contractor, keep an actual accounting of bills and payments for income taxpurposes.

Earthquake Fraud Prevention 1-800-897-6677 Prevents earthquake consumer scams.

California Depar:tment of Insurance, 1-800-927-4357, information about insurance company premiums,services,claims and customer satisfaction.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 1-800-638-6620.National flood insurance information.

State LicenseBoard, 1-800-321-321-2752.Verifiescontractorlicenses(automatedassistanceonly).\

Federal Crime Insurance Program, 1-800-638-6620. Informationon insurance for high crime areas.

DANRPublications, University of California, 6701 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland, CA 94608-1239,1-800-994-8849.

#21476/nsuronce: ReducingYourRisk,1990, $1.75. A survey of benefits offered when insuring automobiles,homes,rental properties, health, and life;20 pp.

#21209 HouseholdInventoryRecord, 1981,$2.00. Inventoryformsfor personal property; 28pp.#21450 Money Sense Calendar, 1991"$3.50, Money management calendar guides; 40pp.

The ~arl1flf? newsletter series is written and produced by the Universityof California Cooperative ExtensionNutrition,Familyand Consl!mer Science Advisors in the North Central Region:

Mary Blackburn, Alameda Countylinda Garcia, Sonoma/Marin CountiesMarilyn Johns, San Francisco/ San Mateo CountiesJoan Meis, Amador/EI Dorado Counties

YvonneNicholson, Sacramento CountyEstella West, Santa Clara County

Mary lavender Fujii,Contra Costa CountyJagjeet Johal. Contra Costa CountyMarciel Klenk,Napa CountyDiane Metz, Solano CountyKimStump, San Joaquin/Calaveras Counties

@ 1997 The Regents of the Universityof California; Divisionof Agriculture and Natural Resources.The Universityof California,in accordance with applicable Federal and State law and Universitypolicy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, medical condition !cancer-related!, ancestry, marital status, citizenship,sexualorientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. The Universityalso prohibits sexual harassment.Thisnondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in Universityprograms and activities. Inquiriesregardingthis policy may be addressed to the AffirmativeAction Director, Universityof California, Agriculture and Natural Resources,300 lakeside Drive, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA.94612-3560. (5101987 -CXJ96.

Issue5 - Page 4