Kathleen Turner did not exactly send Nicolas Cage a valentine when she wrote about his alleged criminal acts in her autobiography, "Send Yourself Roses,"  slated for release February 14 by Springboard Press (HBG). On Monday Cage sent his ex-costar a lawsuit.

In the book Turner gives her version of life on the set of their 1986 film, "Peggy Sue Got Married," focusing on the lengths Cage went to defy his uncle and director, Francis Ford Coppola — including drunk driving, multiple arrests, and the theft of a Chihuahua. Turner goes so far as to comment on Cage's dentistry.  "Oh, that stupid voice of his and the fake teeth! Honestly, I cringe to think about it,” she wrote.

Cage, who most recently starred in the 2007 thriller “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” (DIS) was not amused. On Monday he initiated libel proceedings at the High Court in London. “The libel action follows false allegations that appear in the forthcoming autobiography,” said a spokesman for the actor. “As legal proceedings have been commenced, it would be inappropriate to comment further.” 

Coverage against libel is just one example of how liability insurance can help. For most of us, a lawsuit alleging slander or libel is not of much concern. But liability insurance provides a range of other protections that are worthy of consideration. Whether a delivery person slips on your icy front steps or a child falls in your pool, you might not be protected against legal action. In the face of a multi-million dollar lawsuit, a couple hundred dollars a year of insurance could make a huge difference.

While homeowners insurance typically covers a minimum of $100,000 in damages, experts suggest individuals get more coverage by purchasing an additional policy. Called an “umbrella policy,” it kicks in when you’ve reached the limit of the underlying homeowners’ policy. Umbrella policies typically offer coverage ranging from $1 million to $10 million. 

“The umbrella is an extra layer of protection that gives you peace of mind,” says Claire Wilkinson, Vice President Global Issues for the Insurance Information Institute, a non-profit geared towards disseminating information about insurance. The umbrella policy covers against “bodily injury or proxy damage that you, your family members or pets cause to other people and the liability portion would pay for both the cost of defending you in court, up to the limit of the policy,” says Wilkinson.

The Insurance Information Institute estimates an umbrella policy costs between $200 and $350 per year, for an additional one million dollars of liability protection. The next million costs approximately $75, and each subsequent million costs $50 per year.

An umbrella policy not only covers your damages at home, but also extends to anywhere in the world. Even London, Mr. Cage, just in case you were wondering.