Ask your agent the insurable value of your property. Mistakes do 

 occur, particularly if several agents or companies are involved, and in- 

 surance may be written for more than the insurable value of the property. 

 However, no insurance company will pay for more than its share of the ac- 

 tual cash value of the property at the time of a loss, even if you've 

 paid for the extra coverage. 



Ask your agent to tell you what circumstances will suspend or void 

 your policy. 



Don't overlook insurance on feed and stored crops. 



Remember that livestock are often smothered rather than actually 

 burned; be sure that death losses from this cause are covered. 



Provide more than one means of entrance and exit to buildings for 

 both animals and humans, and be sure that these are not blocked and that 

 doors open out, not in. 



Fire extinguishers are actually worth their weight in gold if they 

 are of proper type and size and are properly located. 



Buildings deserve lightning rod protection in many locations. Prop- 

 er installation with an "underwriter's label" will reduce your insurance 

 premium rate. In some locations, trees near a building should have light- 

 ning rods. 



Farm fires usually cause heavy losses, often because the fire has a 

 good start before it is discovered. 



Several companies manufacture fire alarm systems which are simple 

 to install and which can be placed in areas where fires are likely to 

 start, such as near electric motors that are likely to overheat. Systems 

 can be self-contained alarm units, or a series of temperature sensing 

 units set to go off and trip an alarm, wired in a low voltage circuit to 

 an alarm bell. Knowing when and where a fire is starting, or likely to 

 start, may make it possible to reduce fire losses, since fires have small 

 beginnings . 



Three rules for insurance buyers. 



A. Buy comprehensive ("wide" or "many risk" coverage) insurance 

 when available. 



B. Buy deductible insurance when you can. (You assume the first 

 $50 or $100 of a loss.) 



C. Buy insurance against the calamity. 



Because many buildings were wired for electricity some years ago, 

 and in many cases additional electric equipment, fans, electric motors, 

 heaters, coolers, and electric lights have been added, original wiring 



