Risky Business

While I'm not expecting a disaster anytime soon (a serverquake, for example), I do believe in having a good safety net: insurance. The web offers loads of free information and services to help you determine your risk, what types of insurance you need and where you can get the best prices.

For general info, try the Insurance Information Institute. This nonprofit group offers consumer news and helpful brochures covering topics from the basics -- "How to File an Insurance Claim" -- to more involved subjects like "How to Burgular-Proof your Business." If you need personal help, you can contact the National Consumer Insurance Helpline from here as well.

The Insurance News Network has comprehensive info on auto, home and life insurance, including company ratings, interactive rate guides for homeowners in earthquake zones, car crash test results and average home insurance costs by U.S. state.

Quicken InsureMarket figures out how much insurance you'll need with its interactive Family Needs Planner. You can also calculate your auto risk here -- just type in your U.S. state and car make -- and see if your current coverage is adequate.

Is your life insurance priced right? Quotesmith lists term life insurance prices by cost, based on a few questions. It's quick, too -- the site screens about 200 companies in only a few seconds.

Not sure whether you need life insurance? Women's Wire's Cover Your Assets offers a helpful guide with loads of links.

The Health Insurance Association of America describes different kinds of health insurance and explains recent legislation. And for the insurance scoop on floods, earthquakes and other disasters in the U.S., look to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.