• Consumers can choose from two major types of property and liability insurance--insurance protection for their real estate property and automobiles. Special types of insurance also available to consumers include boat and motorcycle insurance.
  
  Property insurance covers the physical assets of the property, such as the home structure, dwellings and home contents. Liability insurance protects the property owner against claims by others for damage to their person or property. Although not covered in this discussion, business property insurance includes more than physical assets; it may cover intangibles such as money and securities, intellectual property and trademarks.
  
  

Homeowner's Insurance

• Insure the structure in which you live, all improvements on the property and the contents of the home. If you get full coverage, attached buildings and other improvements on the property, such as pools, decks and fences, might also be covered. In your insurance policy, the declarations show which types of perils (or threats) are covered and excluded, such as hurricane, wind, fire, flood and theft losses. A policy with liability insurance protects against damages to people and their property. Your personal or rental property can also include loss of use, which covers the cost of living when a property is unfit for residence.
  
  

Auto Insurance

• Auto insurance includes property and liability coverages. These coverages vary from state to state. In general, property insurance protects a vehicle and its contents. Liability insurance protects people and their vehicles and other property that might be damaged by your vehicle. Your medical bills and lost wages are not included in property and liability coverages.
  
  

Boat Insurance

• Although an insurer may provide consumers with an umbrella policy, boat and motorcycle insurance policies include separate declarations and exclusions. Boat property insurance, just like auto insurance, protects your boat and its contents. Liability coverage protects you, as a boat owner, against bodily injury and property damage to other parties caused by your boat.
  
  

Motorcycle Insurance

• Motorcycle insurance policies are typically separate from auto policies. A property coverage policy will protect your motorcycle. Liability coverage will protect other people and their property, including their vehicles, against damage caused by your motorcycle. If you need coverage for yourself against injuries from a motorcycle accident, you need to purchase coverages not included in property and liability coverages.