Somebody once said that New York State has two seasons - winter and construction. Now that winter has ended, many homeowners will launch home improvement projects, such as decks, painting, and maybe even new additions to their houses. When the hammers, saws and ladders come out, don't forget about insurance. Remember always ask to be a named insured on your builders insurance policies and the cost of extra liability coverage. Remember to update your homeowners insurance policy after you do updates to your home.

Home improvement projects can create special dangers. A friend helping you with the job may fall off a ladder. A child's playmate might investigate an unattended power tool and get hurt. Never use power tools around kids. Also let your kids understand how danger power tolls are. The wind could blow spray paint you're using all over your neighbor's red car. The Personal Liability coverage of homeowners and renters insurance policies may cover the costs of accidents for which you are legally liable and the expense of lawyers to defend you, if necessary. For extra protection, consider an umbrella policy. An umbrella provides more coverage when you've used up all of the liability insurance under your homeowners or automobile policies, and may cover losses that those policies don't cover, such as accusations of slander or libel. Also remember extra 1 million dollars in liability coverage can cost as little at $100 a year. Remember to update your homeowners insurance policy after you do updates to your home.

Potential lawsuits aren't the only risks. Some projects may take an extended time to complete, requiring extra equipment and on-site storage facilities. Lumber, drywall, paint or special tools can catch fire. Thieves could help themselves to your supplies. The homeowner's property insurance policy may cover some of these losses. Remember to update your homeowners insurance policy after you do updates to your home.

Many do-it-yourself warriors will try to cram lumber and supplies in a car's trunk or wedge them into the back seat with building materials protruding from the windows. This can damage other vehicles and cause serious injury to passengers in the car. Your automobile insurance policy's Liability and Personal Injury Protection coverage's may pick up the costs if something goes wrong. Remember to update your homeowners insurance policy after you do updates to your home.

Review all your liability coverage for auto and home. Most policies come with $100,000 to $300,000 of liability coverage, but unless you have less than that in assets you should buy more. You can make a quick estimate of your net worth by adding these elements: 1) Your salary, 2) The value of the equity in your home (estimated market value minus what's left on your mortgage), 3) Your investments, 4) The value of any real assets (jewelry, art, land etc.) and 5) The value of your business, if you have one. Then subtract any other debts, such as credit card balances or student loans.

If the total tops $300,000, you should consider buying an umbrella liability policy. These sit above both your auto and homeowners policies to augment whatever levels of liability coverage you elected in those cases. Oddly, umbrellas also cover you if you are sued for libel, slander or defamation of character. A good strategy is to raise the liability coverage of both your homeowners and your auto policy to $300,000. Then buy a $1 million umbrella policy (or enough to cover your assets). It doesn't cost that much -- $200 to $300 should do it -- because the coverage only kicks in after you've exhausted the $300,000 liability limits in the other policies

If you have insurance questions please call Les Robinson at 1-800-836-2040 or e-mail at lrobinson@thenorthwoodscorp.com

For a quote on your Auto, Home and Umbrella Insurance call Les Robinson at 1-800-836-2040 ext. 3014 or go to website at http://www.wnyinsurance-quote.com/html/quotes.html

Les Robinson III, FICF, ACB

Insurance Broker

The Northwoods Corp.

8810 Main Street

Williamsville, NY 14221

Phone: (716) 626-0004 Ext. 3014

Fax: (716) 626-5057 Attn: Les

lrobinson@thenorthwoodscorp.com