Important information to consider after sustaining a loss from a disaster.

1. Information Important To Your Recovery Post Disaster
Debris Removal
While the normal response is to get rid of the mess as quickly as possible, it is important to
preserve all the evidence of the event. If you can - Photograph everything you can, damage
and undamaged property and areas surrounding your property. Any physical evidence that
is in the way of other activities can be moved but not destroyed. Note: it is equally important
to mitigate, reduce or stop further damage from occurring as quickly as possible. Take
Extensive photographs of all damage and activities.
Documenting the Event
Document ALL conversations and keep records of ALL financial transactions. Initially you
will have to keep excessive documentation because you do not know what you will need or
what will be important for your recovery records. For insurance and tax benefits that may
turn out to be available you should keep records of ALL extra costs that you incur as a
result of the disaster. Including costs to keep your family safe and secure or to get your
business back to an operational state. The important categories follow:
Start Keeping a Journal of ALL Conversations: Initially you may not know which are
important, therefore they are all important.
1. First: track extra operating and or living costs - often referred to in insurance
contracts (policies) as “Extra Expense” or “Additional Living Expenses.”
2. Include debris removal, cleanup costs and any expense that you may incur for
experts who assist you in the process of establishing your loss for both tax and
insurance purposes. Depending on terms of your insurance, some or all of these
costs may be reimbursed.
3. Expenditures related to replacing any items lost whether personal property
(contents) or structural related costs.
CHECK AND VALIDATE CREDENTIALS
Check the credentials and licenses of all experts and check all references they provide.
Determine if licenses will be needed for them to perform their service. DO NOT PAY
LARGE UP FRONT RETAINERS OR DEPOSITS before performance of services. While it
is unfortunate, scam artists use disasters to further prey on the victims. Do not let yourself
become a victim to these people. Check and recheck everything. Call the State or local
licensing boards and call your State’s insurance regulatory agency to verify any insurance
claim experts license. In NYS you can use the following numbers for this - 1-800-342-3736,
212-480-6400, or 518-474-6600.
Hiring Experts
Do your homework before hiring ANY “experts” to assist you with your needs. There are
many experts you might need, but the use of certain experts can waste both time and
money if it turns out their work product has no relevance to your recovery. As an example
the tax law states that an appraisal is necessary to establish the amount of a casualty loss.
If your recovery is more than your cost basis in the property, you probably will not have a
deductible loss. Therefore the appraisal is of no use. Also, determine whether or not the

2. expense is covered by insurance. Insurance may not pick up the cost of an expert if prior
approval is not met.
INSURANCE
If an adjuster or your insurance representative offers to write a check on the spot for X
amount you have a decision to make. You can accept the amount and it will likely not make
you whole or cover your loss or your recovery needs. Or you can wait and assess the
situation and recovery needs. You have the legal right to have an independent adjuster
assess the damage to your property as well.
Also, depending on the type of insurance coverage you have, you will have to be prepared
to prove how the damage to your property occurred. Was the damage caused by storm
surge, wind, tree(s), etc. This will matter especially without flood insurance. Check your
contract (policy) to see what is excluded. There are other factors that are too complex to
include here, just be careful and go over everything. If you lost your policy due to the event
you may request a copy from your provider.
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
Homeowners can obtain additional assistance from FEMA and the SBA (the SBA provides
assistance to homeowners even without businesses during disasters). You will need proper
documentation that can identify who you are, and that you OWN the property that needs
assistance. They will have personnel onsite (Look for FEMA assistance places) to help you
with documentation. The assistance from the government through FEMA and the SBA are
LOANS and not grants. NO GRANTS FOR DISASTERS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE
GOV’T or FEMA. If someone tells you otherwise and asks you to pay them they are lying.
You can also apply for FEMA assistance online here: http://www.fema.gov/apply-assistance
or you can call: (800) 621-3362, for TTY: (800) 462-7585 for people with speech or hearing
disabilities.
STANDING WATER
Parents - standing water in flooded areas is EXTREMELY TOXIC and can SPREAD
DISEASES and CAUSE ILLNESSES. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES LET
YOUR CHILDREN PLAY, WALK, or SWIM IN IT. This water contains sewage,
household chemicals, fuel, gas, and other substances that will cause you harm.