As Provo continues to grapple with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to recognize that other emergencies, such as forest fires, can occur year-round – often with little or no warning. When these events occur, security is a top priority, leaving little time to ponder the financial information or records required for the recovery process.
A good place to start (if you don’t have a plan yet) is to visit Ready.gov and the American Red Cross. Each of these websites offers valuable information and resources that can help you develop a plan for you and your family.
Here at Wells Fargo, we are happy to offer you the following tips that can help simplify the Provo recovery process in the event that an emergency should strike you:
1. Save important documents such as birth and marriage certificates, wills, deeds, tax returns, insurance policies, and stock and bond certificates on a USB stick. These records are often needed for tax and insurance purposes.
2. Use a smartphone or camera to visually record your possessions, including cars, boats, and recreational vehicles. Or write an inventory list.
3. Take photos of the inside and outside of your home, including the landscaping, paying particular attention to improvements such as a patio, fences, or outbuildings as these can add property value and help with insurance claims.
4. Check with your insurance company what your policy covers and determine if additional insurance / coverage is required. For example, shelters may not be an option for families displaced by an emergency due to the social distancing guidelines introduced by COVID-19. As such, customers should consider considering Provo temporary accommodation coverage.
5. Consider setting up online banking, mobile banking, billing, and electronic account notifications. This will help you keep track of your accounts and bills when you are evicted from home. If you already have online banking, make sure your online profile is up to date in case your bank or lender needs to contact you after the wildfire.
6. Have cash or an emergency fund that is easily accessible. Wildfire can shut down ATMs and banks in Provo. After wildfire, you may need cash for the first few days or even several weeks.
If you are in an emergency, wait until it is safe to return to your property. Then check for any property damage, including your home and car. If you’ve suffered damage, call your lender and insurance company to file a claim as soon as possible.
It is also helpful to know in advance whether and which resources your financial institutions are providing. Wells Fargo customers – including mortgage, home equity, small business, and auto loan customers – can contact 800-TO-WELLS or visit wellsfargo.com/recovery for more information.
COVID-19 has certainly taught us all that Provo emergencies come in all shapes and sizes. And while our response plays a crucial role in managing such events, preparing for forest fires is just as important. Developing a plan now can save you countless hours of work in the long run and make the financial cleanup process much less stressful for you and your family.
Matt Bloye is the President of Wells Fargo Region Bank for Utah.
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