Make "Financial Plan for Emergencies" 
It may be hard to believe that hurricane season begins in less than 30 days. So that makes it a good time to review your personal financial preparedness plan. According to Chase Bank, many of Louisiana's residents there are special things to consider when making a "Financial Plan for Emergencies".
"As many Louisiana residents learned during last year's hurricanes, financial planning can be the difference between peace of mind and heartache," said Michael Lulich, head of Chase's retail operations in greater New Orleans.
"Chase's computer systems continued to operate business as usual throughout both Hurricane Katrina and Rita last year, so our customers had access to their bank accounts as they evacuated to other locations. However, now is a good time to visit with a Chase personal banker to develop a financial plan and prepare for emergencies."
Added Don Barnes, head of Chase's retail operations in Baton Rouge: "A good financial plan for disasters such as hurricanes should include easy access to funds, protection of personal financial information and communication with other family members."
Here are some tips Louisiana residents should consider when developing a hurricane financial plan:
Make backup copies of all of your records
Make copies of important records and documents and safely secure them in another location. Items should include photos of everything you own, credit card numbers, insurance policies, financial records, deeds and titles, wills and trusts, Social Securitycards, prescriptions and medical records, emergency contact lists and spare keys.
Maintain a one-page key financial contacts list
These are phone numbers of companies you would call to alert them ofyour special circumstances and discuss your options. Include phone and account numbers for your bank, mortgage, credit card, investment and insurance companies.
Create a "grab and go" fire- and waterproof box
with important financial documents. Include recent checking, savings, credit card and investment account statements; your key financial contacts list; federal and state tax returns;mortgage andinsurance information; your social security card; and a supply of cash.
Ensure you have access to cash.
Carry your ATM or debit card with you at all times.
Build a "safety balance" in your checking or savings account
that can be tapped at times of crisis, and consider an "emergency" line of credit (like a home equity line of credit).
Consider overdraft protection
Linking your checking account to a savings account or credit card.
Use direct deposit
of payroll so your pay is automaticallydeposited into your checking account.
Stash Cash
Since there may be no power after a disaster, stash a sufficient amount of cash, traveler's checks, and a roll of quarters (to use in pay phones) in a disaster suplies kit that you keep at home and can take with you.
Understand your expenses and create a budget
Know how much you spend each month on your rent or mortgage, food, gas,medicine, and other basic expenses. This information will behelpful if you are receiving financial assistance from a nonprofit or government agency.
Review disaster insurance policies.
Don't feel overly secure simply because you have insurance. Review plans and ask your insurance providers questions about:
Replacement of home or property
Your mortgage could exceed the value assigned to your property. Find out the maximum value of "full replacement" insurance, and consider a guaranteed replacement cost policy.
Home contents
Renters and homeowners can insure their belongings. Standard policies are for actual cash value,not replacement cost.
Deductibles!
Watch out for deductibles, restrictions or omissions onfloods, hurricanes and other "natural disasters." Clarify what "living expenses" are if you need to stay ina motel for an extended period of time.
Add Coverage
Consider a rider policy if your homeowners policy doesn't cover computers, home offices, jewelry, artwork or otherexpensive items.
To discuss your financial plan in more detail, stop by any of Chase's nearly 200 Louisiana branches. Chase at Work bankers also are available to conduct disaster financial planning seminars free of charge at places of business. More information on the Chase at Work program is available at any Chase branch.
Chase, the U.S. consumer and commercial banking brand of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM - News), has more than 110 million credit cards issued and serves consumers and small businesses through more than 2,600 bank branches, 7,300 ATMs and 280 mortgage offices as well as through relationships with over 15,000 auto dealerships, and 2,500 schools and universities. More information about Chase is available through www.chase.com.
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