A few tips for military members, families and their insurance

Before purchasing an insurance policy, military members and their families should ask the agent specific questions about how the company handles issues regarding military deployment.

Insurance companies' practices can vary. It's a good idea to compare prices and the level of service across multiple different insurance providers. Shopping around can pay off.

There are several different types of insurance. This column will focus on property and casualty insurance, such as homeowners', renters' and automobile insurance. A future column will look at life and health insurance.

Before you leave on a military deployment, check your policy renewal date and payment terms with your agent to make sure your coverage will remain in effect during deployment. If the renewal date occurs while you're deployed, arrange to make sure your premium gets paid on time.

Many homeowners' insurance policies have a "vacancy clause" that may be triggered if you are deployed for a long time and your family moves to a new location. Such policies may not pay claims if your house is vacant for 60 days or more.

Some companies offer an endorsement that specifically allows coverage for your house to continue even if it's vacant for an extended period.

It's a good idea to review your homeowners' policy with your agent before you leave for military duty. Doing so could help you avoid a dispute in the future. Also, make sure your policy limits are sufficient to cover your home and your personal property at today's replacement costs.

Always let your insurance company know when you have moved out of the house.

Homeowners' and renters' insurance policies typically cover personal property that you take with you while traveling. However, most policies exclude damage caused directly or indirectly by acts of war. Talk to your agent about whether personal items that you take with you during your deployment will be covered if they are lost, damaged or stolen.

For automobile insurance, if you will be deployed for a long time and no one will be driving your vehicle, you may be able to turn in your tags while you are deployed to remove the liability from your vehicle. Insurance companies call this "vehicle storage."

North Carolina law requires liability insurance to remain in effect if the vehicle is registered and has tags.

Military members on deployment may also consider suspending their collision and comprehensive (also known as "other than collision") coverage. However, if you have a loan on your car, the bank or finance company may require such coverage. Also, if you suspend coverage, you may not be able to recover money for damage caused by weather, an earthquake or a flood.

My heartfelt thanks goes to all our members of the military and their families who have dedicated their lives to protect our homeland and our way of life. The Department of Insurance stands ready to assist you with any insurance issues and questions.

You may speak to a consumer specialist Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by calling 855-480-1212. You may also visit our website at www.ncdoi.gov.