Cover all the bases

A thirty-foot yacht or a mini-photography or music studio are not run-of-the-mill property. All special property requires special coverage. Talk to your broker or insurer to make sure you have proper protection.

• Just purchased a sailboat, kayak, or personal watercraft? Be careful-your policy puts a $500 to $1,000 limit on claims for damages and only certain types of boats are covered for civil liability. Why take any chances? Get special coverage for your boat.
• You're a computer whiz with a passion for computer games and software? Remember that software is generally covered for a maximum of $1,000. If yours is worth more, you'd be better off insuring it separately.
• Did you know that most policies put a limit on valuables like jewelry, furs, securities, cash, stamp and coin collections, animals, and items made of gold and silver? In some cases, the maximum can be as little as $500 to $1,000, which may be well below the replacement cost. Ask about the limits of your policy to decide if you want to increase your coverage.
• Owning computer equipment and running a home office are two different things. If you're self-employed and use part of your home as an office, make sure you have the appropriate coverage.
• If you own items for business use, keep in mind that they're insured for a maximum of $1,000, and only inside your home. In other words, if your laptop is stolen from your car, you're not covered.
• Pets are covered for up to $1,000 to $2,000, depending on the policy. Unfortunately, they're not covered if stolen, or hit by a car and injured or killed.
• Going traveling? If you plan to be gone for four days or more during the winter months, ask someone you trust to stop by every day to see that your heating system is working properly. Or drain your pipes and shut off the water. Otherwise, if your pipes burst, water damage will not be covered.