WHAT $1,000 BUYS: MONEY

Cover Yourself

Fill dangerous gaps in your homeowners insurance. For less than $1,000, you can plug menacing holes in your homeowners policy: coverage for flooding and liability.

Flood-Insurance Policy If you live in a low- to medium-risk area, it costs about $350 to $600 per year from the National Flood Insurance Program with the maximum $250,000 in dwelling coverage and $100,000 for possessions. Get a price quote at www.floodsmart.gov.

Excess Flood Insurance Federal flood insurance has its limitations -- it doesn't cover, say, electronics or furniture in your basement rec room. But certain insurers such as Chubb or Fireman's Fund may sell excess coverage.

Liability Insurance Cover your legal expenses if someone is hurt in your home or by your car. It generally costs just $150 to $300 to buy a personal umbrella policy that provides $1 million in coverage over the limits or your auto- and homeowners-insurance policies. -- Kimberly Lankford