Insurance can be costly, and when you're writing a fat check, it can feel like a luxury. However, now that you are making wise investments, paying down your debt, increasing your income, and building a retirement fund, it's time to reassess what you are doing to safeguard those assets. While allowing adept sales pitches to sway your decision is not a good idea, insurance is not a place to slash costs. The educated consumer wants to secure her assets and protect her loved ones without overpaying.