Thomas J. Sant: Allstate Insurance

Depending on the coverage you choose, a business owners policy helps protect your business against things like financial losses and covered perils. Covered perils may include theft, fire, wind, falling objects and lightning. It's important to read your policy documents carefully to understand which coverages are included and what perils are covered by your insurer. Each coverage in your BOP has a coverage limit. A limit is the maximum amount your insurer will pay for a covered claim. It's also important to note that each coverage in a policy is typically subject to its own limit. And, some coverages may come with a deductible. A deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket toward a covered claim.

Small business insurance, sometimes called commercial insurance, helps protect a business's assets, property and income. A business owners policy (BOP) is the most common policy for small businesses, according to the Insurance Information Institute. A BOP typically includes three basic types of coverage to help protect a business: business property coverage, general liability coverage and business interruption coverage. If you're a small business owner, you may also be able to buy additional insurance coverages to customize your policy based on your specific operation and needs.

Damage to your home or other structures from insects, rodents (for example, rats, mice, squirrels and chipmunks) or birds is usually not covered by a standard homeowners policy (although a window broken by a bird may be an exception). Animal infestations and damage from animal waste or secretions are also generally excluded from homeowners coverage. Should an opossum (or any other member of the rodent family) take up residence in your attic, homeowners insurance is not likely to help pay for removal, cleanup or repairs to any damage it leaves behind. Keep in mind that homeowners insurance policies also typically do not provide coverage for damage to your property caused by a pet or other domestic animal, such as a pig, cow or chicken. So, if Rover chews his way through a door, your insurance company most likely won't cover the cost of a replacement.

If a raccoon wreaks havoc in your garage or attic, homeowners insurance may help pay for repairs to the structure. But, damage to the items you've stored inside the garage or attic typically won't be covered. So, if the raccoon damages a wall, your homeowners insurance policy may help pay for new drywall, but if it the critter chews through the wiring on your lawn mower, your policy will probably not help with the cost of repairing or replacing it.

When a wild animal damages a structure on your property, your homeowners insurance may provide some coverage under its dwelling or other structures protection. Suppose a deer runs into your patio door — the damage may be covered by your dwelling protection. Meanwhile, the other structures coverage in a homeowners insurance policy helps protect structures on your property that aren't connected to your home, such as a fence, shed or detached garage. So if that deer damages part of your fence, the other structures coverage in a homeowners insurance policy may help with the costs of repairs. You may want to review your policy's deductible, which is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance benefits kick in. You may also want to review your coverage limit, which is the maximum amount of coverage your policy provides, so that you understand how much protection you have in place should a wild animal damage your property.

Homeowners insurance typically does not cover accidental breakage you cause to your own house. If your child throws a ball through your home's window or you accidentally crack a window pane, you'll likely need to pay out of pocket for the repair. Also, keep in mind that homeowners insurance does not cover window maintenance issues or wear and tear. If your window needs repair or replacement because it's drafty, for instance, homeowners insurance will not cover the cost. Broken window seals also may not be covered by home insurance. According to This Old House, fog or moisture between double-glazed windows can indicate a broken seal. Window seals fail over time, with manufacturers offering warranties up to 20 years, This Old House says. Remember, unless the damage is caused by a sudden or accidental peril — hail, fire or theft, for example — it's likely not covered by homeowners insurance.

Suppose you or your child accidentally throws a ball through a neighbor's window. If you accidentally damage another person's property, the liability coverage in your homeowners policy may help pay for repairs. You'll typically find that you do not have to pay a deductible on homeowners liability coverage.

A typical homeowners insurance policy includes several coverages that may help pay to replace a broken window. Dwelling coverage, other structures coverage or liability coverage may come into play, depending on what caused the window to break.

If you owe money on your car, or if you're leasing it, collision coverage usually isn't optional; most lenders and lease holders require it. If your car is paid off, however, you can choose whether to buy collision coverage. One thing to consider: How much it would cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it were damaged or destroyed in an accident. If you couldn't afford to fix your car or buy a new one after a wreck, purchasing collision coverage could give you some peace of mind.

Collision insurance helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it's damaged from: -A collision with another vehicle -A collision with an object, such as a fence or tree -A single-car accident that involves rolling or falling over

Collision insurance is a coverage that helps pay to repair or replace your car if it's damaged in an accident with another vehicle or object, such as a fence or a tree. If you're leasing or financing your car, collision coverage is typically required by the lender. If your car is paid off, collision is an optional coverage on your car insurance policy.