In the wake of terrorist attacks, the loss of a loved one by any means, such as car jacking, stalking, child abduction, or home invasion, is a detestable thought. The Chubb Group has developed a policy called Masterpiece Family Protection, which will pay out should any of these fates befall a member of your immediate family.

New Jersey has been added to the list of states where the policy is available, in addition to Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Illinois.

"Sales have been steady in the four states where the product has already been offered," said Peter Spicer, assistant vice president of Chubb & Son and new product manager for Chubb Personal Insurance. "New Jersey represents the beginning of an aggressive roll-out strategy that will bring Masterpiece Family Protection to more states around the country."

Chubb's Masterpiece was created in response to these statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice: There are nearly 1.3 million cases of forcible or unlawful entry in the U.S. each year; 1.4 million stalking cases; 50,000 car jackings; and between 3,200 and 4,600 nonfamily-related child abductions.

"The need for coverage is quite clear," says Spicer. "Unfortunately, most people will think that it can't happen to them or their loved ones."

Covered relatives include one's spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings, and one's nieces and nephews.

Policyholders would be reimbursed up to specified limits for various expenses, including fees for medical and psychiatric services, reimbursement for lost wages, fees for professional security consultants and security guards, and the cost of recuperation, improving household security, and temporarily relocating one's residence. The policy also provides a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the responsible party. An accidental death and dismemberment benefit of up to $250,000 applies in Connecticut, Illinois, and Massachusetts.

Mary Ann Avnet, vice president of Chubb's personal insurance lines, says the new product has been in development for more than a year, and in no way was spurred by the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.

Chubb chose four of its strongest states to launch Masterpiece, Avnet says, but customers in the rest of the country should be able to purchase the policy in the foreseeable future. Masterpiece can be added to Chubb homeowners insurance policies for between $70 and $90 per year.

The most that could be paid out if all components of the child-abduction coverage are accessed is $300,000, Avnet says, with about $215,000 available if a car jacking claim is exhausted. Exclusions on the policy vary according to coverage, and depend on the type of claim filed. For example, if you file a claim under the child-abduction part of the policy, but it is discovered that the child was abducted by a relative or guardian, the policy would not pay out.

Chubb says that survey results it gathered show that families feel that home invasion, child abduction, car jacking, and stalking represent considerable threats. Nearly two-thirds of Americans (62 percent) worry that their child may be abducted, 58 percent are concerned about car jacking, and 46 percent fear that they may be stalked. And, three-quarters say the expenses associated with being a victim of one of these crimes could seriously affect their finances.

Chubb says that survey results it gathered show that families feel that home invasion, child abduction, car jacking, and stalking represent considerable threats. Nearly two-thirds of Americans (62 percent) worry that their child may be abducted, 58 percent are concerned about car jacking, and 46 percent fear that they may be stalked. And, three-quarters say the expenses associated with being a victim of one of these crimes could seriously affect their finances.