For most families, a home is their largest investment. This column is dedicated to helping you preserve and protect that investment.

Unfortunately, not all home-related matters are in your hands. You might be the decision-maker when it comes installing a new roof or slapping on a fresh coat of paint, but when disaster strikes, the forces of nature take control and you can become a victim.

Fires, floods, earthquakes and tornadoes are a few of the natural disasters that can strike at any time. They can transform a home into a pile of rubble and shattered memories.

Whereas no amount of money can replace priceless photographs and other treasured possessions, for most it is comforting to know that there is insurance to help put back the pieces.

But having insurance simply isn't enough. Having the right coverage with the right amounts can make all the difference when disaster strikes. Having the wrong coverage or being over-insured can waste hard-earned dollars.

If you don't have insurance, get it. If you do have a policy, read it. Don't feel stupid if you don't understand much of what the policy contains. Contact your agent or an attorney to help you cut through the legalese so you have a clear understanding of what protection you have and where you are without protection.

Each year you should compare the limits of coverage in your policy to the real world what your possessions consist of and how has your home changed. Have you made significant furnishing purchases a new dining room set, an entertainment center, new wall or window coverings? Perhaps you have remodeled the kitchen or added a room. The value of your home has changed and, consequently, so should the value of your insurance coverage. Conversely, you shouldn't spend money for coverage that you don't need.

Many people find that they are insurance poor. There are several ways to cut the cost of insurance without putting your home, property and future at risk. Being a good shopper is tops on the list.

One of the easiest ways to influence insurance cost is by adjusting the deductible. The deductible is the amount that comes out of your pocket before your insurance company starts to dish out the first dollar. The lower the deductible, the higher the premium. As an example, raising a deductible from $250 to $500 can save approximately 12 percent off the annual cost of your policy.

Insurance companies look favorably upon folks who do things to enhance the safety and security of their homes. Statistically, this diminishes the insurance company's risk and, thus, they are willing to back off on the cost of coverage. Installing a burglar alarm, dead-bolt locks, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers can result in a 5-percent savings. If you're looking to cut costs even more, upgrade your burglar alarm to a full-blown security system that is monitored by a central reporting agency, fire or police department. You'll get the best of both worlds heightened security and an annual savings of about 15 percent on your policy.

An automatic fire suppression system (sprinklers) can cut another 5 percent to 10 percent off annual insurance costs. However, not all types of systems qualify. Therefore, you should check with your agent before pulling out the pipe wrench. Many new homeowners believe that they should insure their home for the value of the purchase. This is wrong. Insure the home, not the ground that it sits on. Regardless of the total value of the home land included you should focus on what it would cost to replace the home. In most cases, the land doesn't need to be replaced. There are, however, exceptions to every rule. Remember the row of homes in California that fell off into the ocean?

Loyalty can pay off when it comes to insurance. If you have been with one company for several years, you have an established track record with them. Consequently, if you that track record is good (few claims), they are willing to back off the annual policy cost. And, if you buy all of your insurance through one company (auto, home, etc.), you might qualify for a discount of 5 percent to 20 percent overall.

Being a senior citizen can be a benefit. If you are at least 55 years old and retired, you might qualify for a lower annual premium. Insurance companies figure that you are home more often and can, therefore, spot a fire or other disaster before it gets out of hand. Also, break-ins are less likely to occur when cars are in the driveway and/or people are at home.

Being a nonsmoker has benefits when it comes to both health and homeowner's insurance. Insurance industry statistics report that an errant cigarette causes many house fires. Thus, if there are no smokers in your home, it is at a lesser risk of catching fire.