Winston Churchill once described the Soviet Union as “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” The same might be said of insurance in its varied forms.

You know you should have a comprehensive, cost-effective network of coverage, but what you need and how much can be confusing. Here are answers to 15 of the most commonly asked questions about insurance:

1. What sorts of insurance do I need?

Most people need to be concerned with insuring four areas: their possessions, their life, their health and their finances.

2. When you’re talking about possessions, does that mean homeowners insurance is the most important?

Probably, because a house is likely to be the single biggest investment most of us make. The rule of thumb with homeowners insurance is not to skimp. If you can, pay extra for guaranteed-replacement coverage, which mandates that the insurer will replace your home if it is destroyed, regardless of the cost. If you instead specify a dollar amount of coverage, and it’s not enough, you could end up paying the difference.

3. Once I have guaranteed-replacement coverage for my home, I’m all set, right?

Well, it’s important to know what your homeowners insurance covers and what it doesn’t. For example, particularly pricey items such as big-screen televisions and fancy stereo equipment are often excluded from policies or, at the least, inadequately covered. The same goes for antiques, collectibles, expensive jewelry and furs. Ask for riders that specifically cover those items.

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