There's always a disaster looming for homeowners somewhere, whether it's wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes or earthquakes. Federal help is available Federal agencies offer low-rate loans to help prepare for the summer onslaught while traditional lenders stand ready with regular home improvement loans. Experts offer advice about which financial documents people should have ready, too, while insurers peddle all sorts of policies to help them rebuild.
All consumers have to do is commit some time and energy getting ready.
Some residents only need generic homeowners policies to guard against hurricanes while others in high-risk areas require additional windstorm coverage . Specialized protection against earthquakes and flooding is available to people threatened by those forces of nature, too. But fortifying a home against damage can prevent the need to file a claim at all. Today, there are many cost-effective ways to do so. Regular financing options, such as home equity loans and lines of credit , are available, too.