1. Do your homework. Balance your need to purchase adequate health care insurance with the need to purchase life insurance, home insurance and other insurance policies. The greatest majority of Americans cannot afford adequate insurance coverage, period. But creating a plan that includes saving for insurance coverage is less stressful than giving up.



2. Comparison shop. You can purchase a policy that has stronger coverage or you can buy insurance you don't currently have if you'll lower the costs you currently pay. Comparison shop. Go to unbiased resources such as the magazine Consumer Reports (www.consumerreports.org), which accepts no advertisements to avoid conflicts of interest when rating. Make it a habit to revisit your coverage once a year.

3. Think "group coverage." If you are self-employed or working for an organization that does not provide insurance, consult professional organizations in your field to learn if "group" self-insurance is available that can offer lower rates than individual-only policies.

4. Investigate a provider's ability to deliver what he promises you before you sign the bottom line. A.M. Best provides free access to its Insurer Ratings Directory at its Web site at www.ambest.com. You can also contact the attorney general's office in your state for additional resources. Do a "google.com" search, too, for the latest news and reports on the reputation of insurance companies.

5. Don't make mistakes on your insurance application. If you make a mistake or leave out any information (especially on many of today's health policies that will void your policy over the smallest mistakes or omissions), you risk being declared ineligible. When you need your insurance is when some insurers will go over your policy word by word searching for any mistakes. So don't make mistakes.

6. Always pay for your insurance coverage with a check, not cash. You need a paper trail to prove you have coverage and have made your payments in a timely fashion. Keep your records in a safe place.

7. Do your homework before saying yes to supplemental insurance. Don't pay for supplemental insurance you don't need. Also ask yourself: Is this policy really just a company that provides discounts that you can negotiate yourself or find by comparison shopping?

8. If you are over the age of 50. If you are 50 or older, or approaching that age, consider joining the American Association of Retired Persons (www.aarp.org). The richest corporations have powerful lobbyists to win tax breaks and cost savings from Congress every year. The AARP combines its large membership voice to equal the lobbying clout of many top corporate interests.

In our world today, purchasing insurance for your medical needs, your life span and your car can create high levels of stress. We hope our tips help to lower your stress level.