If you've recently gotten married or divorced, have improved your kitchen, or made your home safer, then the insurance industry says you should review your homeowners policy. You might be eligible for lower premiums, or you may need to increase your coverage so you're not underinsured.

The start of the new year is a good time to reexamine your coverage, according to California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi. The state was hit hard by the Southern California firestorms, which devastated some 3,600 homes. The resulting mudslides in the San Bernardino area and the San Simeon earthquake also caused insurance nightmares for many.

"Financial trauma can be reduced or even eliminated if we all just take the time to update our homeowners policies ..." he said.

As many as one-third of the victims of the Southern California fire victims didn't have homeowners insurance; another one-third was underinsured, The Kansas City Star reported on Dec. 25, 2003.

Laman and Carmen Sadler, 73 and 69, had insurance, but not enough to replace the two-bedroom house where they had lived for 27 years.

"Our homes, our modes of transportation, our jobs, and our entire lives are constantly changing," Garamendi said. "Our insurance coverages need to keep pace -- otherwise the next crisis you face could have a much more harmful impact on your life and the lives of your loved ones."

The Insurance Information Institute (III) says there are four major events that should trigger a review of your policy. They are:

Published: January 20, 2004

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