Key Takeaways More than a third of Americans said they couldn't cover a sudden $400 expense with cash or cash equivalents. Men are more likely to have emergency savings, a surveys from by U.S. News & World Report have found. That survey also found that men were more likely to have an emergency fund than women, and that men tend to have more saved when they do have emergency savings. Tip If you're worried about not having enough savings to cover living expenses should an emergency occur, check out Investopedia's "How To Build an Emergency Fund." The Bottom LineFinancial emergencies are a reality most Americans will face, and the data shows you're not alone if a $400 surprise expense would strain your budget.