You’ve worked hard for your success – but success doesn’t mean anything without peace of mind. You could have everything: the perfect family, the perfect home, and the perfect life – but you won’t be able to truly enjoy those things unless you have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that they’re all protected. Here are few tips for acquiring the services you’ll need to feel secure in your home, your business, and your family life.

Your first line of defense

We’ll talk a lot in this article about protecting yourself with paperwork. With the right insurance and legal protection, you’ll have less to fear from burglars and scam artists. But there’s also a physical line of defense that you should put between yourself and this criminal element. A security system is a must-have accessory for your home and your business.

Your first step will be contacting a company that offers residential and commercial security services – or, better yet, several such companies. A good alarm system should be able to alert both you and the authorities if someone breaks into your home or business. What you need beyond that is up to you: some business owners may require security guards or more extensive security measures, and keypad entry for commercial properties, residential garages, and other entrances may make sense for your situation as well.

Good security doesn’t come cheap, of course, so your security options will depend a bit on your means. Remember that modern technology makes keeping watch on your home easier than ever. Remote cameras and smart home technology can help you keep an eye out on your home when you’re not there, even when a security system from a major company is out of your financial reach. Whatever you choose and whatever you can afford, remember that what you’re paying for is the peace of mind that comes with knowing your property is protected.

Make sure you have insurance

There’s a good chance you’ll never have to experience a break-in. There’s a good chance you won’t die unexpectedly, and a good chance that you won’t get into a car accident. But if you can invest in a service that will make any of these unexpected occurrences even a little bit easier if they arrive, shouldn’t you do so?

That’s the idea behind insurance, the age-old service that offers peace of mind to everyone from homeowners to doctors. Some insurance – like car insurance – is legally mandated, but other types of insurance coverage are up to you.

There are a few types of insurance that you’ll want to consider in order to give yourself complete peace of mind. Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance will protect your home and the things in it, meaning that things like break-ins, fires, and other disasters will be a little less devastating. Some things in your home are irreplaceable, of course, but most of us have a surprising amount of money tied up in our belongings, too. And while it’s terrible that disasters can take irreplaceable things from us, insurance can make those moments easier by at least offering us the ability to replace the things that have a price tag. Keep in mind that you may need additional insurance to cover floods, as flood coverage is not always included in these types of insurance from the get-go.

You’ll also want to look at life insurance. If, God forbid, something were to happen to you, what would happen to your family? If you’re the breadwinner (or one of the breadwinners) in your family, then you’ll rest easier at night knowing that your family will still be able to afford to live comfortably even if something unexpected happens to you.

There are many other types of insurance coverage to consider, too, including health insurance (which, as of this writing, you’re legally required to have). To make sense of all of your insurance options, your best bet is to work with an insurance broker.

When all else fails

Of course, not every eventuality can be prepared for. Sometimes, unexpected accidents and problems can occur. Maybe your insurance is refusing to pay off a claim, or maybe you’ve been harmed by another party through no fault of you own. When you’re in a situation like this, your best bet may be to turn to the law for recourse.

The law is a complicated space, so make sure that you turn to a competent lawyer to represent you. A good lawyer can protect your interests as effectively as any security system or insurance policy, so don’t hesitate to turn to one if you need one.