The only certainty in life is its unpredictability. There's nothing like the peace of mind that goes along with knowing you and your family have adequate insurance coverage in the event of a disaster.

Without warning, your home and property can be destroyed in just minutes by a natural disaster or vandalism. And while you can't always control the laundry list of mishaps that can happen, you can be prepared.

Chances are, your "standard" homeowners policy has been adequate to meet your basic fire and casualty insurance needs. The most common homeowners policies are know as the homeowners-3 policy or HO-3. Generally speaking, a "standard" homeowners insurance policy provides three things:

• Insurance coverage for damage to your home
• Insurance coverage for damage to your personal property
• Liability protection

Common perils likely to be covered on your "standard" homeowners policy include: fire, lightning, tornadoes, windstorms, theft, falling objects, etc. However, you need to be aware of any exclusions outlined in your policy.

Typically, "standard" homeowners policies do not cover casualties such as floods, earthquakes, war nuclear accidents, structures used for business, insect or rodent infestation, cracking of the foundation from ground movement, wear and tear, vandalism to a house left vacant more than 30 days, and the like.

We want to make sure you really understand your homeowners policy. Once we evaluate your current needs, you may wish to consider insurance for you home based business or a separate policy for earthquake and flood damage as well as coverage for any other exclusions not covered by your "standard" homeowners policy.

As an independent agent, we take a personal interest in your well-being. Preventing undue hardships, quick and efficient processing of claims, getting you back on your feet should a disaster strike. That's what we're all about!

Take Inventory of Your Home

No one plans to lose their valuables and other belongings in a burglary, a fire or a natural disaster. If one of these unfortunate events destroyed your home, would you be able to report exactly what you lost to the police, to the Internal Revenue Service or to your independent insurance agent? It is easier to do an inventory of your home now rather than sitting down afterward and attempting to remember a lifetime worth of purchases. Prepared by the Independent Insurance Agents of America, this information will help you begin your household inventory.

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Write down any valuable items with their serial numbers (usually found on the bottom or back of major appliances) along with the method of acquisition (purchased, inherited or received as a gift), date purchased and price or approximate value. Attach receipts, if possible. Remember to include furniture, appliances, carpeting, jewelry, artwork, toys and the contents of your closets, cabinets and drawers. Contact your independent insurance agent with questions or concerns.

Play It Safe With A Videotape

Videotaping each room of your house can make taking inventories easier. Photographs and a tape recorder can substitute for a video camera. A complete video inventory should contain verbal descriptions of major assets as well as their value. Remember your garage, attic, basement and the exterior of the house, plus your landscaping and fencing. If possible, make it a family project by having everyone take turns describing the objects in your home. Store the video or photographs along with this inventory in a safe-deposit box and send a copy to a friend or relative.

Do Not Forget Important Documents

Extremely important documents should be photocopied. Keep one copy in your home and the original, where possible, in a safe-deposit box. Important items include, but are not limited to, the following:

• House - Escrow, title, deed, insurance policy.
• Personal - Birth certificates, medical history, passports, insurance certificates, credit card numbers, will.
• Automobile - Certificates of ownership, finance contracts, registrations, insurance policy, driver licenses.
• Finance - Account numbers for checking and savings accounts, CDs, stocks, bonds, other significant investments.
• Tax - Copies of the first two pages of your state and federal returns for the past five years. Complete returns with appropriate receipts and canceled checks should be kept in a separate file box.

A Final Note

Most policies limit the amount of reimbursement for theft of valuable items, such as jewelry, furs, silverware and guns. If you have some particularly valuable items in these categories, you may need to purchase additional coverage called a "floater." These types of policies cover each item individually and are usually quite inexpensive. This information will only be beneficial if you make use of it now. By inventorying your personal possessions ahead of time, you will save yourself from frustration should disaster strike. We can help you determine whether your property is adequately protected.

Suitable Coverage

Unfortunately, there are other risks involved in everyday living besides loss or damage to your property. That old tree you kept meaning to remove may come crashing down during the next storm right on your neighbor garage. Or that pesky skateboarding teenager down the street may pick your sidewalk to have a spill and break a bone. If you find yourself involved in a situation where you may be held liable, it is important to notify your independent insurance agent. You may talk to the "nice" parents of the skateboarder or with your neighbors, but leave the insurance discussion and negotiating up to the professional. For several reasons, the first conversation you have about the incident should be with your independent insurance agent. Chances are your policy includes a stipulation that the insurance company be notified promptly. Plus, in chatting about the situation you can inadvertently waive some of your rights in the case. More importantly, by inviting the insurance company in early in the process, the company can sometimes offer an early settlement that avoids a lawsuit. After all, the insurance company has a team of experts -- claims adjusters, appraisers, lawyers, and medical experts -- who have probably been down this road before and know exactly how to get mutual satisfaction for both sides without straining neighborly relations.