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Get Organized Before you try to clean up and repair everything, you need to figure your damage and make a recovery plan--a list of things that need to be done. An organized approach will make the best use of your time and money. If your house has very serious damage, you need to ask yourself if you should rebuild at all-it may be smarter, safer, and cheaper to move. If you do rebuild, your recovery plan should include the floodproofing measures tbat can be done along with your repairs. This can save you thou- sands of dollars in the future. (See Step 8.) Call Your 'nsuran~e Agen' You need to tell your agent about the damage to your home and contents so that your agent can file a claim. The sooner you can talk to your agent, the soon- er your claim will be filed and an adjuster will be assigned to look at your damage. How much of your loss is covered will depend on your policy. But even if you don't have full coverage, your agent may be able to give you advice about where to get help with cleanup and repairs. Your property insurance will fait into one of 3 categories: 1. Homeowner's insurance usually covers losses caused by wind, storms, or broken water pipes, but not surface flooding. Some homeowner's policies may cover basement flooding caused by sewer backup or sump pump failure. 2. Flood insurance covers most losses caused by surface floodwater. 3. Wmd and hail insurance covers losses in coastal areas from the winds of a hurricane. In coastal areas, homeowner's insurance often does not cover damage from wind. Read your insurance policies so that you will know what is covered and what is not. If your insurance covers the damage, your agent will tell you when you can expect an adjuster to contact you. The adjuster will determine the costs to repair the damage to your home and your belongings. The adjuster will then give those costs to your insurance company for final approval. Also find out if your insurance will pay for your living expenses while your house is being repaired. (Flood insurance does not cover that cost.) S'art L1s"ng 'he Damage List the damage and take pic- tures or videotapes as you clean up so you will have a complete record. You need good records for insurance claims, applica- tions for disaster assistance, and income tax deductions, Some items that are health hazards, such as rotting food ;/",01:% 5 Jrif p t Get Organized "J? 'f+,__~d Records to Keep Damage to the building Damage to the contents (see sam- ple inventory form, next page) Receipts for cleanup and restora. (ion expenses, such as material, labor. and equipment rental, and receipts for flood-related expenses, such as motel bills. (Keep these in one place, like in an envelope in your car.) 11