With all the changes that have taken place in ‘08, your life has likely changed too. You’ve moved to a new home, taught a teen to drive, traded in that gas-guzzling car or changed health insurance plans in an effort to tighten the budget and conserve money.

Maybe, on the other hand, it’s been a really bad year. You’ve lost your job and, subsequently, your health insurance. Or had an accident and ended up with medical bills out the wazoo. Maybe your home’s interest rate adjusted and you’re behind on your mortgage—or lost your home completely.

Regardless what has happened this year, the New Year brings hope—and a fresh start. Though there’s little control over some things going forward, like the economy or unemployment, taking control of personal finances helps put you back at the helm of your own life and home again. And insurance is a great place to start.

As life changes occur—good and bad—so should your insurance coverage. By reviewing insurance policies, checking coverage levels and shopping for lower rates now, you can help put cash back in your pocket over the next year—and safeguard everything you work so hard for.

If you changed jobs and found your employer’s health plan too expensive to manage, now’s the perfect time to look for new coverage. If you bought an older car and didn’t think about dropping unnecessary coverages to help save money, start the year fresh by doing so now. If you lost your home and are now renting a condo or apartment, consider renters insurance in lieu of homeowners to protect the precious possessions you took along with you. (Don’t forget to inventory your home so you’ll know exactly what you’re insuring as the New Year begins.)

Take control of personal finances, make changes to your insurance policies for the next year, and do what you can to cut insurance costs in ‘09. It’s a great way to start the New Year fresh—and will help give you confidence during tough times.

Tags: insurance