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Fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Natural disasters destroy lives in an instant and it can take months or even years to fully recover. Do you need help picking up the pieces and starting over? Watch this video clip for guidance on disaster relief, including how to file a claim, apply for assistance, hire a reputable building contractor and more. Access all the material referenced in this video and more Home Disaster Recovery.

 

 

Home Disaster Recovery Video Transcript

Fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Natural disasters destroy lives in an instant and it can take months or even years to fully recover. How do you begin to pick up the pieces and start over?

First, your immediate concerns following a disaster should be the safety of you and your family. If you've been evacuated, return only when local authorities have declared it safe to do so.

Once you return, you may find that your property is located in a disaster area.

If that's the case, you may be eligible for disaster assistance. To find out available assistance and eligibility requirements, visit lawyers.com.

Second, contact the insurance company holding your homeowner's policy to file a natural disaster claim. If you're concerned that they may not adequately compensate you, then contact a lawyer specializing in insurance law.

Before disaster strikes, make copies of all important personal documents and store them separate from the originals. Refer to the checklist on lawyers.com for guidance, as well as links to helpful websites, including government agencies, credit card companies and vital records departments.

Are you planning to rebuild or repair your home? Even though you may be in a hurry to get your life - and home - back on track, it's critical to be on the lookout for fraud.

General contractors often advertise, but don't consider an ad an indication of the quality of their work. Your best bet is to check with friends, neighbors, or co-workers who have had improvement work done. Get written estimates, ask for explanations on price differences and don't automatically hire the lowest bidder. Lawyers.com provides additional tips on hiring a reputable contractor and avoiding potential scams.

Getting your life back in order is not an easy task. Check with your employer about taking time off. If you've lost your job, lawyers.com can help you find out about severance pay and disaster unemployment assistance.

Last, but not least, remember that having a plan is one of the most important ways to prepare for a disaster. Lawyers.com is a great place to find the latest disaster preparation checklists.

Have additional questions about disaster relief? Contact an attorney in your area by going to the "Find a Lawyer" section on lawyers.com.

Have questions about other life events? Then go to the Life Events section on lawyers.com for more helpful video tips.