Pennsylvanians are urged to take emergency financial planning steps to protect their finances and review insurance coverage before a disaster or emergency strikes. In recognition of September as National Preparedness Month, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, Pennsylvania Insurance Department, and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency are sharing practical guidance to help consumers stay financially secure and prepared.  

“Recovering from a disaster can be overwhelming, but taking steps to create a financial plan ahead of time can ease the stress,” said Banking Secretary Wendy Spicher. “Safely storing important documents — including financial account information, deeds, titles, insurance policies, wills, and passports — can help families recover more quickly if disaster strikes.” 

Here are a few steps to financially prepare for emergencies: 

• Keep cash handy: Set aside emergency cash for essentials like food, lodging, and transportation. 
• List account & contact information: Maintain a record of account numbers and toll-free numbers for banks, credit cards, and insurance, both digitally and on paper. 
• Protect important documents: Use a safe deposit box or fire-safe storage for deeds, titles, passports, and insurance policies. 
• Manage credit cards: Keep balances low and understand available credit for unplanned expenses. If you have advance warning, contact issuers to explore temporary adjustments or waivers. 

For more helpful advice, click here for the press release.