Recovering financially after a disaster
The money side of rebuilding after catastrophic loss
The calm money sequence after a wildfire, flood, hurricane, or house fire — triage, insurance claims, FEMA and SBA aid, and dodging the scams that follow.
4 lessons · about 28 minutes total · 100% free
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1. The first financial steps after a disaster
Open the claim, photograph everything before cleanup, keep every receipt for additional living expenses, register with FEMA, and protect your cash flow in the first two weeks.
7 min read
2. Navigating insurance claims
Follow a property claim from filing to payout: how the deductible applies, why actual cash value pays less than replacement cost, the flood exclusion, and when a public adjuster helps.
7 min read
3. FEMA and federal disaster aid
See where FEMA's grant sits after insurance, what the SBA disaster loan covers up to $500,000 at 4% or less, and how the Okafors close a $36,000 gap.
7 min read
4. Rebuilding and avoiding disaster scams
Vet the contractor, pay by milestone, refuse assignment-of-benefits forms, check charities and FEMA inspectors, and guard your credit while the Okafors rebuild a $24,000 roof.
7 min read