Date: October 14, 2009
For more information contact: Jim Guidry, (608) 264-6239 or jim.guidry@wisconsin.gov

Money Smart Week^SM: October 10-17

Madison, WI—Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner Sean Dilweg is encouraging all Wisconsin consumers to use the occasion of Money Smart Week^SM during October 10 to October 17, 2009, to review their insurance coverage.

Money Smart Week^SM Wisconsin was created by the Governor's Council on Financial Literacy which Governor Jim Doyle formed to improve financial literacy in Wisconsin. The campaign is modeled after similar promotions run by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in the cities of Chicago and Detroit. It is envisioned as ongoing from year to year. Wisconsin's initiative has the support of the Federal Reserve Banks of both Chicago and Minneapolis. The Money Smart Week^SM calendar of events can be found at: www.moneysmartwi.org.

"We're in an economy which requires us to focus more on our financial well being," said Dilweg. "Every facet of our lives—life, health and home—can be affected by our insurance choices."

During Money Smart Week^SM Wisconsin, consumers are reminded to take steps to become more educated about their insurance coverage.

OCI offers a comprehensive selection of insurance information that provides information for consumers about life, health, auto, homeowner, Medicare and a number of other insurance topics. Additionally, OCI provides consumers with information on insurers and agents. Consumers are encouraged to visit the OCI Internet Web site at oci.wi.gov.

Created by the Legislature in 1871, Wisconsin's Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) was vested with broad powers to ensure that the insurance industry responsibly and adequately met the insurance needs of Wisconsin citizens. Today, OCI's mission is to lead the way in informing and protecting the public and responding to its insurance needs.