KLCC announced on Apr. 24 the focus for month four of its Oregon Ready disaster preparedness initiative, emphasizing the importance of financial first aid to help residents recover more easily after emergencies.
The topic matters because while many people prepare food, water, and evacuation plans for disasters, they may overlook the paperwork and financial challenges that often arise during such times. KLCC’s effort aims to guide community members through practical steps to ensure they are ready not only physically but also financially.
Charlie Wente, a consumer liaison with Oregon’s Division of Financial Regulation, said being prepared financially is “an important part of being ready to go.” He added that “taking simple steps can save you a lot of money, time, and stress.” According to Wente, these steps include building a home inventory, making copies of important documents, and reviewing insurance coverage.
Kenton Brine, president of the Northwest Insurance Council—which represents property and casualty insurers in Oregon—said documentation is key after disasters. “There are three simple words: proof of loss,” Brine said. “The more information you have about your loss, the faster your claim is handled and the more smoothly that process will go.” He explained that starting a home inventory before anything goes wrong helps homeowners know what needs replacing if their property is damaged or destroyed.
Brine advised walking through each room with a smartphone camera while narrating details about belongings as an easy way to create an inventory. He noted this step becomes crucial since memory can be unreliable after traumatic events like fires or floods: “If it’s a fire and their home has been reduced to ash on the ground…it’s going to be very hard to remember the things that were in every room.”
Insurance coverage gaps can also catch people off guard. Brine clarified that standard homeowner policies do not cover flood damage from outside sources; separate flood insurance must be purchased either through private insurers or federal programs. He also warned many homeowners are underinsured based on outdated property values rather than current rebuilding costs.
Wente recommended storing digital copies of vital records such as passports and insurance policies either online or on portable drives kept with emergency supplies for quick access during evacuations.
KLCC concluded by encouraging listeners to continue working toward being two weeks ready by including financial preparation alongside other safety measures.
