Insurance Planning and Risk Management

The use of credit information is a fact of life today. Whether a consumeris applying for a credit card, renting an apartment, seeking a job or asking for cable service, credit history is used in the decision-making process. Credit says a lot about an individual. It tells employers, banks, utility companies - and now insurance companies - how a consumer handles his or her financial responsibilities. Today, more than 90 percent of property and casualtyinsurers use insurance scoring as part of the underwriting and rating process.

Many of us contributed funds to help those who suffered great loss from hurricane Katrina. We may not be thinking, however, about taking care of ourselves in the event a disaster would strike where we live. Yet, Katrina should be a wakeup call to us to take stock of what we have to help us recover from devastating and unexpected occurrences.

Formost of us, our home truly is our castle. It may be our most valuable - certainly our most used - investment. Protecting this investment should be a priority for any homeowner.