When a hailstorm last April pummeled Butler and Montgomery counties, those hefty chunks of ice hit pocketbooks as hard as they did roofs, plants and automobiles.

        A significant number of property owners filed insurance claims to seek reimbursement for damage, but some — unaware of some fine print in their policies — didn't try to collect.

RESOURCES

A couple of consumer-friendly publications and online resources provide clear and simple advice for insurance consumers.     The Insurance Information Institute — www.iii.org or (212) 346-5500 — helps consumers look at each type of insurance they may need and see at a glance what different types of policies include. The Web site also guides folks through the procedures of filing a claim and suggests questions people should ask themselves to evaluate their insurance needs.     Consumer information from the Ohio Insurance Institute can be ordered by calling (614) 228-1593 or accessed online at www.ohioinsurance.org.

        Experts at the Insurance Information Institute say that many homeowners might be pleasantly surprised at what their standard homeowner's policy covers. While special policies are needed to provide financial protection against flood, many natural disasters — including hailstorms, windstorms and volcanic eruptions — are addressed by homeowner policies.

        Likewise, homeowners can often be reimbursed for damage from appliances gone mad or vehicles accidentally entering their homes.

        If your dog got loose and dug up your neighbor's tulips, your insurance agent may well hand your neighbor a check. If your digital camera proved too great a temptation for a motel thief, you may be able to purchase a new one with your insurance reimbursement.

        The keys to making insurance work for you rather than getting a unpleasant surprise when disaster strikes are making sure your coverage meets your needs and keeping your property in good repair.

        Keeping abreast of your coverage means reading the fine print of what a policy will cover, assessing your needs on a regular basis, and making sure you adjust your coverage when you purchase new items, add on to your home or change the way you use your property.

        The latter is especially true if you operate a business from your home, advises Mary Bonelli of the Ohio Insurance Institute. While a simple home office might require only an endorsement (add-on) to a standard homeowners policy, a hair salon, day care or construction business poses greater potential liability and probably requires a separate business insurance policy.

        Home business operators should also take a look at the equipment they use within the home, said Ms. Bonelli.

        “If you use your computer for your home business, it should be covered under a business endorsement or a separate business policy, not as part of your standard homeowners policy,” she said. Ensuring that that computer, fax machine or copier is properly covered doesn't have to break the bank.

        “Coverage for a home business can cost as little as $20 or $25,” Ms. Bonelli said, adding that endorsements for earthquake coverage are readily available in Southwest Ohio.

        The Ohio Insurance Institute, an insurance trade association, offers tips to consumers on its Web site and in free publications. A fact book can be accessed online or ordered from the institute. The Web site also provides an interactive program designed for renters evaluating what kind of insurance coverage they need.

        Maintaining your property means repairing that fence so your dog isn't a frequent visitor to your neighbor's tulip bed. Or performing routine appliance checks so the insurance company can't deny your claim for the flooded laundry room because your water heater was rusted through before it burst.

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