Homeowners insurance provides you with financial protection in the event of a disaster or accident involving your home.

Standard homeowners insurance protections

A standard homeowners insurance policy insures your home's structure (house,) and your belongings in the event of a destructive event, such as a fire.

With burglaries constituting approximately 50 percent of all on-campus crimes, it's important for college students and their parents take steps to prevent theft, adhere to safety measures—and review their insurance coverage.

Your standard auto insurance or homeowners insurance will provide you with some liability coverage, but you may want to have the extra protection for your assets that a personal umbrella liability policy provides.

Title insurance protects you against loss arising from problems connected to the title (that is, legal ownership) of your property. Learn more about title insurance.

Private mortgage insurance (PMI) enables borrowers with less cash to have greater access to homeownership, as it protects the lender against loss if the borrower defaults on the loan. Learn about the circumstances that might require PMI.

Like any other member of your family, your pet is subject to illness or injury, and you're liable for any damage he or she does. Luckily, there are a number of different insurance products that will help protect you and your family from the financial cost of a pet emergency.

It's important to protect your home with insurance and, if your home happens to be on wheels, there are some special considerations. Much like choosing the right mobile home, you want your insurance to fit your needs and lifestyle, but you also want the coverage to fit within your budget. Here are some guidelines for choosing mobile home insurance.

Most dogs are friendly, loving members of the family, but even normally docile dogs may bite when they are frightened or when protecting their puppies, owners or food.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs annually, resulting in an estimated 800,000 injuries that require medical attention. More than 50 percent of dog bites occur on the dog owner’s property, and they account for one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claims.

If you are disabled or unable to work as a result of an accident or illness, disability income insurance, which complements health insurance, can replace lost income. There are basically three ways to replace income:

   1. Employer-paid disability insurance
   2. Social Security disability benefits
   3. Individual disability income insurance policies

To keep your family safe in a potential disaster, it's essential to have an evacuation plan—and that plan should include your pet. Since most public shelters exclude pets, keep your beloved animal safe and unharmed with this advice.