Failing to notify the right people

Most homeowners know to contact their insurers immediately after damage to their home, but they should also reach out to several other people in the event of a natural disaster like Hurricane Harvey.

Homeowners don't stop owning a home just because it's uninhabitable. Mortgage payments, utility bills and other recurring expenses won't stop on their own during this period of recovery and rebuilding.

"Any time there's a natural disaster event that people clearly recognize is not the homeowner's fault, there will be some relief," said Yun. But you might have to seek it out.