You have car insurance and homeowner's or renter's insurance. But what about your digital gear? Your homeowner's or rental policy offers some protection. But is it enough?

Don't wait for the unthinkable to happen to find out. Talk to your insurance agent today. You probably have a lot invested in digital goods.

Before you talk to your agent, make a complete list of your gear. It helps if you know exactly what you need covered.

Go through your house room by room. You'll be less likely to miss smaller gadgets. Include the value of the gear on your list.

To help organize your list, use software. You can use a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel. Better yet, download a free inventory program at www.KnowYourStuff.org. You can also use it to do a complete inventory of all items in your home.

Next, prepare a list of questions to ask your agent. Here are some things to include:

What events are covered?

The contents of your house are covered under certain circumstances. However, other events won't be covered. Most policies don't cover floods. You may need a second policy.

Ask if an item is covered if you lose it. Also, ask if you're covered if something is stolen outside the home. If you travel overseas, check that your gear is still covered outside the country.

What kind of coverage are you getting?

Some people don't think about the type of coverage they're getting. Your policy may provide actual cash value of items. Other policies offer replacement value.

Replacement value is the better option. You'll receive the amount you would pay to buy a comparable item new. In contrast, cash value takes depreciation into account. You'll get the value of your item — minus the amount of depreciation. And few things depreciate as fast as digital gear.

What are the limits and deductible?

Your policy will cap the amount you can claim for personal belongings. For example, your limit may be $25,000 in the event of a disaster.

Additionally, a per-item limit will be imposed. High-end items may not be protected for their full value. For example, you may only receive $1,000 for a television that costs $2,500. Equally important is the deductible. A high deductible may negate the benefits for less expensive items.

Are digital downloads protected?

Don't expect your insurer to cover your personal data. You're responsible for protecting data on your computer.

However, some insurers are beginning to take digital downloads into consideration. The movies and music you buy may be covered. But you should ask about these items specifically.

You should ask what kind of proof you need of the purchases. If a receipt is required, forward receipts to an online e-mail account.

Can I buy extra coverage?

Chances are, you'll find your insurance is lacking in certain areas. In that case, you may buy additional insurance for personal property. This is usually attached to your policy.

Contact Kim Komando at gnstech@gns.gannett.com.