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These days, many Americans are very conscious of the ways in which their various insurance policies are designed to protect them, but they might not think as much about all the risks they face in their everyday lives. For this reason, it might be important for people of all backgrounds - and perhaps parents of younger children in particular - to make sure they know exactly what they need and what they're covered for. Insurance agents should likewise be ready to rise to meet such a challenge, and be able to explain the benefits and potential shortcomings of people's various coverage types.

Today, 83 percent of parents with children between the ages of 5 and 12 say that they regularly drive for carpools or have other kids over to their houses, but largely do not have protections in place to guarantee that their insurance will cover certain common accidents, according to a survey from Liberty Mutual. In fact, nearly 4 in 5 parents say that they can be easily distracted while driving those kids around, and close to 1 in 3 likewise say that they don't have safety rules for their homes, which can dramatically increase their liabilities if problems arise.

""Our study reveals that many parents may not realize that everyday activities, like carpooling and play dates, may require a closer look at their coverage and where they may be vulnerable,"" said Ty Harris, executive vice president and chief product officer at Liberty Mutual Insurance. ""Understanding your coverage and ensuring enough liability protection is included in your policy is essential to protect your family and your future.""

What can be done?
For these reasons, parents might want to take some time to better understand the types of behaviors - among both adults and children - that can lead to accidents at home or in the car, the report said. Further, they might want to take the time to carefully examine their coverage and see if their current insurance policies are adequate to protect them in the event of any incidents by which they are more likely to be affected.

The insurance agents who can do more to help consumers understand their coverage will likely be those that have the best relationships with their clients. Customer service is often valued above and beyond even the ability to find them more discounts, so striking the right balance between these two issues can often be time well spent.

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