Do you have a Doppelganger?

Wikipedia partially defines a doppelganger as a tangible double of a living person. OK, but what does this fictional character have to do with insurance, you may be asking yourself?

Let me explain. If you had a doppelganger, he or she, appearing to be you could in fact take over your life. Your family, friends and business associates would not be able to tell you apart from the doppelganger as in the 1993 film, Doppelganger. Drew Barrymore plays a woman who is followed by her apparently evil alter-ego doppelganger and nobody can tell them apart. While I hope this type of fictional character remains fiction, I would like to make you aware that in the cyber world doppelgangers do exist. These doubles steal your financial identity and benefit from your good credit and financial success.

According to the United States American Postal Service Identity Theft is the fastest growing crime in America. They report that in 2008 more that 9.9 million Americans were victims of identity theft, a crime that costs more than $5 billion. Visiting the above link to the US Postal Service will provide you with some great information to protect you from being a victim and guidance if you have already fallen victim to Identity Theft.

Now, lets discuss insurance. Identity Theft Expense Coverage Insurance can't protect you from Identity Theft but it can help you recover some of the expenses that you will incur as a result of the theft.

These expenses include such items as:

• attorneys fees
• loss of earnings
• costs of notarized affidavits and loan application fees.

Some carriers even provide you with the expert guidance of a professional representative who will work with you to restore your good name.

The cost for this coverage is usually minimal, around $25.00 a year for $25,000 in coverage. Some carriers, such as MetLife Auto & Home offer this coverage at no additional cost.

If your concerned about a financial doppelganger, visit the above link for the US Postal Service and contact your Personal Lines Insurance agent to make sure your Home or Auto policy includes Identity Theft Expense Coverage. $25.00 is a small price to pay for peace of mind.