[Q] I've hired a neighbor to paint my two-story house this summer. He'll work during his off-hours at a discount. There's nothing to be worried about, right?
[A] Not necessarily. If your painter injures himself and doesn't have workers' comp insurance, you could be held liable for his medical bills. The general liability portion of your homeowners policy would provide some protection if you were at fault, but those limits can quickly be exhausted. Personal Excess Liability (also known as an "umbrella" policy) provides additional protection. It's a smart choice, particularly for those with significant assets to protect. Your best bet is to hire an established contractor with up-to-date certificates of insurance.

[Q] I bought a new car that sported the government's 5-Star Safety Rating. When I went to insure it, I was told it did not qualify as a safe vehicle in the eyes of the insurance company. What should I have done differently?
[A] There's a lot of safety information available on cars, but a single rating -- such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's crash ratings (available at www.nhtsa.gov/NCAP) -- doesn't necessarily offer a complete picture. Insurance companies also look at a vehicle's propensity to tip over, the effectiveness of its brakes and air bags, whether it has daytime running lights and more. A good place to start your research is with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (www.iihs.org). Of course, before signing on a dotted line, call your MetLife Auto & Home representative to ask how the company views a particular make and model.

[Q] I drive a 1993 Saab with 125,000 miles on it. It's not worth much. Can I save some money by dropping my insurance?
[A] Although auto liability is a mandatory coverage in most states, comprehensive and collision -- which cover physical damage to your car -- are optional and may not be cost effective on an old car. Research the current book value of your car using the N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide (www.nada.com). If your car is worth less than 10 times the amount you're paying for comprehensive and collision coverage, consider dropping them. One note: Some lien holders may require you to carry physical damage coverage.

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