Homeowners insurance plugging the holes.(CR: Money)

Even if you haven't seen the latest disaster movie, last year's hurricanes and this year's tornadoes and floods have to make you wonder whether your homeowners insurance could withstand a major (or minor) disaster. What follows are some common threats that could cost you thousands, and how you can get them covered.

FUZZY GREEN STUFF

Spiking liability claims for mold damage have prompted many insurers to reduce or even eliminate such coverage. "You should have it covered if you live in high-humidity areas or anywhere else where mold tends to be a problem," says Madelyn Flannagan, vice president of education and research at the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, a trade association. To make sure you have coverage, read your policy or call your insurer or agent. If you don't, you may be able to pay an additional $200 to $300 a year for $25,000 of mold remediation coverage, generally the minimum amount you'll need.

LAPPING WATERS

As many Louisianans learned last year, standard homeowners policies will not pay for water damage from floods. For that, you need a separate flood policy, available in most communities but only through the National Flood Insurance Program, although you have to purchase through a local insurance agent. You can check your neighborhood's flood risk at the NFIP's Web site, at www.floodsmart.gov.

If you live in a low-risk area but are concerned about floods from melting snow, an overflowing creek, or water running down a hill, a $300 policy for $35,000 in coverage for your house and $10,000 for your belongings should do. In a high-risk area, you'll need the maximum coverage, $250,000, on your home and $100,000 on your stuff, which will set you back $2,000 annually.

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