Reducing crime risks: agents can assess their clients' risks by asking how they protect their homes and families.

When a home is burglarized, homeowners lose a sense of security and comfort. If a homeowner has the misfortune of being there when a thief breaks in, he or she will be even more shaken. While a homeowners insurance policy will pay to replace stolen or damaged belongings or fix a broken door or window, it won't help prevent a future occurrence, nor relieve the homeowner of costs for lost wages, psychiatric care or temporary relocation.

The U.S. Department of Justice reports that about 2.7 million homes were burglarized in 2002, and nearly one in 26 homes were burglarized or its occupants were exposed to violence or threat of violence by a stranger.

Victims of home invasions often suffer psychological trauma, losing trust in the safety of their homes, the effectiveness of security systems, and the quality of their neighborhood. But the need to protect one's family extends far beyond the home. Child abductions, stalking activities and carjackings can happen anywhere.

A Department of Justice study reported that nearly 50,000 carjackings are attempted each year, and 70% of successful carjackings involve a firearm. Also, the National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway and Thrownaway Children reports that nonfamily members abduct 58,000 children annually.

Unfortunately, clients' exposure to home invasion and carjacking increases with wealth. Affluent individuals are likely to own homes in exclusive neighborhoods as well as luxury items such as expensive jewelry and high-end cars, calling cards for would-be thieves.

The risk of stalking threat and child abduction also can increase when clients frequently appear in the news. Criminals can devise their plots after reading about where clients and family members live, work and play.

The out-of-pocket costs of recovery from such crimes exceed the coverages found in auto, homeowners and, in maw cases, medical insurance policies. Clients may need to take off time from work, resulting in lost wages, and seek medical and psychological services.

At the very least, they may want to install or upgrade security systems.

In a nationwide survey of more than 300 people, Impulse Research of Los Angeles found that 78% of respondents believe that a home invasion, child abduction, stalking threat or carjacking could seriously affect their finances. Insurance agents can help their clients reduce their exposures to these costly crimes. Agents can assess their clients' risks by asking how they protect their homes and families. For example:

* Do you leave lights on or use light timers while you are away from home?

* Has your neighborhood organized a community watch program?

* Do you keep the perimeter of your home well lit and clear of vegetation that could offer cover to a burglar?

* How do you secure your sliding glass doors and windows?

* Do you have and maintain a centrally monitored security system that includes interior motion detection?

Tips that agents can use to assess their clients' risks can be found at: www.fbi.gov/kids/k5th/safety4.htm; www.iii.org/individuals/auto/lifesaving/carjacking/; and www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs14-stk.htm.

In addition, a new insurance policy addresses expenses associated with the safety and security of clients' families following a home invasion, carjacking, child abduction or stalking threat. The policy covers homeowners, their spouses, children and other relatives temporarily or permanently living with the policyholder. The coverage also follows families as they travel nearly anywhere in the world.

Because the emotional pain associated with these crimes is so great, financial concerns should not complicate victims' hardship, tinder this policy, covered victims are reimbursed for lost wages, medical and psychiatric services not covered under health insurance policies, fees for professional security consultants and security guards, improving household security and temporarily relocating one's residence, depending on which crime triggers coverage.

This unique protection even provides rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the guilty party:

With the aid of such useful tips and innovative policies, agents can provide a unique service to help their clients maintain their comfortable family environment even after a crime and, more important, open a new chapter in the discussion about the changing nature of personal d risk in today's world.

Andrew McElwee, a Best's Review columnist, is executive vice president of Chubb & Son and chief operating officer of Chubb Personal Insurance, Whitehouse Station, N.J. He can be reached at [e-mail].