Building Insurance
Buildings insurance covers the structure and fittings of your home. While contents insurance will protect against theft and damage to your personal belongings buildings insurance will protect you against the loss and damage to the physical structure of your home. If you have a mortgage then the lender will insist that this cover is in place to protect the property.

Contents Insurance
Insurance to cover loss or damage to your possessions in the home. Costs vary according to where you live and the type and value of your belongings.

Car Insurance

By buying auto insurance, depending on the type of coverage purchased, the consumer may be protected against:

• The cost of repairing the vehicle following an accident
• The cost of purchasing a new vehicle if it is stolen or damaged beyond economic repair
• Legal liability claims against the driver or owner of the vehicle following the vehicle causing damage or injury to a third party.

Travel insurance is designed to protect and cover against the possible risks you may encounter when travelling abroad or otherwise. It is of crucial importance if you are travelling abroad, especially if you are likely to pay for any medical expenses that may arise. Other risks include the loss or theft of possessions, the cost of cancellations or claims made against you.

Pet insurance plans can cover such eventualities as your pet having an accident, sickness, compensation for having to cancel your holiday, money for advertising or to pay a reward if your pet is lost or stolen.

The level of cover varies with each policy, but most provide cover for the following categories:

• Vet Fees
Death Benefit
Holiday Cancellation
Boarding Fees
Theft/Straying
Advertising/Reward
Third Party Liability
Accidental Damage

You should always check the small print on your policy for exclusions as some things aren't covered, for example; the cost of treatment for any condition which occurred before the policy started, flea control, vaccinations or spaying and castration. There are also some types of dogs which cannot be insured, for example; racing dogs, guard dogs, working dogs or dogs registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Often referred to as ASU or Redundancy Insurance, this is a special type of insurance plan that pays out if you lose your income due to an accident, illness or redundancy.

There are a range of options available. You can cover your self just for unemployment cover, just for accident or sickness cover or you can take out full cover for both. You can also cover yourself for up to either 12 months or 24 months of illness or unemployment.

If you are self-employed, the income paid is normally calculated on the amount of your taxable income, or profits, during the 12 month period prior to you becoming unable to work.

If you are interested in longer term illness cover i.e. if you become incapacitated and unable to work for a long time then you should look at income protection insurance.