The age that we live in is increasingly
abstract; that is to say, many of the things we use and produce are
“virtual” goods. Take, for example, email: in all likelihood, the
only copies of your correspondences exist either on your email
server, or in archived folders on your computer if you're really
organized. It is highly improbable that you have printed copies of
every email you've ever sent, neatly filed into a binder with tabs
for easy sorting—that just wouldn't be practical. Truly, the age of
virtual items is an age of convenience. However, the virtualization
of our goods comes with a disadvantage: we forget that these things
are, indeed, things, and that they need to be protected. We are far
more likely to remember the value of the vehicles we drive that we
are to bear in mind the value of various files and documents that are
of the utmost importance. If you are unsure of what your insurance
coverage provides in terms of protecting your data, make it a point
to speak with your provider in order to clarify this. Good questions
to ask are not limited to, but may include, some of the following:
What am I currently not covered
for? While home, business, and contents insurance plans can
be quite comprehensive, they may not cover everything of value to
you...and you may not know what is not covered. Often we don't
recognize the need to protect certain items of ours until we lose
them. Specifically asking your agent what you are not covered for
helps to highlight any such omissions so that you can quickly and
effectively determine how you will protect your goods.
Do I have sufficient coverage for
my computer? Asking your broker to help you determine whether
or not the coverage you have for your computer is adequate will
broaden your understanding of the various scenarios that may result
in information loss (which you may not have thought of), and the
different degrees of coverage to protect against such loss. Whether
or not you agree with your broker's opinion of the adequacy of your
coverage, hearing their reasons for this opinion will help you gauge
what's at stake, and how you would like to proceed in light of that.
Am I insured for loss of
business? Aside from the actual value of the information and
equipment (ie computer) itself, there are potential costs associated
with damage or loss to this information. If you rely on this data to
make a living, your earnings will be compromised in the face of
disaster. As such, you may want to ensure that you take the necessary
precautions to ensure that you are compensated if and when that
happens.
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