Short Term Loans for Hurricane Sandy Homes: Good Idea?

Some big banks are offering short-term loans and credit increases to help victims of Hurricane Sandy afford the repairs and changes needed to get things back to normal.

Are they worth it?

Banks such as Chase, Wells Fargo and Bank of America are taking into account the storm and being more lenient with their usual standards in hopes of offering more money to more people.? But just because Hurricane Sandy devastated the East Coast doesn’t mean that extra loans or more credit are good ideas.? Before taking any money, check with your insurance company to see what they will cover.

In some cases, FEMA will take care of rental payments for temporary emergency housing and other emergency-related costs, such as medical bills. (You can apply for coverage here.) The Small Business Administration is also offering disaster loans at low interest rates.

If you don?t already have sterling credit and little or no debt, indebting yourself to the bank might not be the best first option. However, some big banks are waiving late and overdraft fees for customers affected by the storm in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.