Industry Hot Line Answers Questions on Insurance Needs

Have a question about your homeowners’ insurance? Can’t decide if you’ve got enough protection against fire or theft? If someone breaks into your apartment, will your landlord’s policy reimburse you for any of your losses?

Answers to these and any other insurance-related question can be had by calling the National Insurance Consumer Hotline, a nonprofit service funded by the insurance industry, at (800) 942-4242. About 50 licensed insurance agents work on the hot line and answer consumers’ questions for free.

Last year, the hot line received more than 80,000 calls. A spokeswoman said the pace has picked up in recent months, in part because military personnel leaving for the Persian Gulf “suddenly have a lot of questions” concerning their policies.