Warwick, RI — November 8, 2006 — Auto manufacturers have rolled out 2007 new car lines, and consumers can find great deals as car dealers will be seeking to unload 2006 inventories. However, new car buyers should make certain that they have auto insurance that properly protects their sizable investments—or they may regret it.

"Take a few minutes to ensure that you truly have the auto insurance you need," said Ron Moore, manager of product development at MetLife Auto & Home. "Surprisingly, a new car depreciates up to 30 percent during the first year, and many insurers will take a deduction for depreciation during this time. That means that a person could pay $20,000 for a vehicle, but only receive $14,000 if it is ‘totaled.’ In addition, if you have a loan on the vehicle or if the vehicle is leased, the bank or leasing company could ask you to pay for the difference between the amounts the insurance company pays and the payoff amount of the loan or lease. As a result, you might have to pay several thousand dollars out of your pocket."

Moore also noted that many people assume all of the features of their new vehicle are automatically covered. "People just assume their auto insurance will cover the entire vehicle and everything in it," stated Moore. "If your new vehicle has any add-ons that are not standard equipment, such as a mobile video player for the kids or a GPS or navigation system, they may not be covered by some insurance companies. By asking the right questions, however, you can avoid some nasty surprises, and also, find ways to save money on the insurance you’re purchasing."

Not every insurance policy is the same, and many consumers miss out on available insurance discounts. So, before purchasing a new vehicle, ask the following questions:

• What does my auto coverage actually cover? Determine in advance the level of protection actually afforded under the terms of the policy. For example, if your new car is damaged beyond repair, will your auto insurer replace the vehicle with a new one, or take that deduction for depreciation?

• Is image everything? Certain cars look great and catch the eye, but you may end up paying more for the flair. Cars that are expensive to repair or have historically higher theft rates carry higher insurance costs. Specialty vehicles and sports cars typically cost more to insure.

• If my new auto is damaged beyond repair, would I be able to pay off the loan or lease? Does my insurance company offer Lease or Loan Gap coverage?

• Would the extras that were added to my auto, such as special rims and tires, or video players, be covered if an accident occurred? Would my auto insurer cover the whole cost of the customization, or would they only pay a limited amount?

• Can I use the accessories to my advantage? If your new vehicle comes equipped with such things as anti-theft/alarm devices or anti-lock brakes, you may qualify for discounts.

• Are there other discounts that I qualify for? Insurers offer discounts for a number of factors: driving record, certain safe driving courses, the number of drivers using the vehicle, low annual mileage, and whether the vehicle is kept in a garage overnight or parked on the street.

• Can my good driving record work for me? In the event of a loss, certain insurance companies will reward customers for good driving habits, by reducing your deductible for each year of loss-free driving. Make sure to ask whether your company offers it.

• How safe is the vehicle? Besides ensuring greater peace of mind, vehicles that are considered "crashworthy" usually cost less to insure. Before making your final decision, pay a visit to www.highwaysafety.org to rate your prospective purchase.

To get a better feel for the safety level of a prospective purchase, MetLife Auto & Home offers a free brochure called "Shopping for a Safer Car." This informative 20-page booklet outlines what safety factors should be considered, to reduce the risk of death or serious injury in the event of a crash. Another free brochure, on "Injury, Collision, and Theft Losses," summarizes the most recent insurance injury, collision, and theft losses of passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs. Both have been co-branded with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and are available by calling 1-800-638-5433 (MET-LIFE).

MetLife Auto & Home®, a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), is one of the nation’s leading personal lines property and casualty insurance companies, insuring over 3.8 million autos and homes. MetLife Auto & Home has developed a reputation for innovation in product design, being the first insurer to introduce certain product enhancements that provide greater value to consumers, including Identity Theft resolution services to both its auto and home insurance customers, offered at no additional charge. Identity theft resolution services are not available in all states, such as Massachusetts (available homeowners only) and North Carolina. The company was named among the industry’s leaders in customer service according to J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Auto and Homeowners Insurance Studies SM. For more information about MetLife® and its affiliates, visit www.metlife.com.

MetLife Auto & Home is a brand of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its affiliates, Warwick, RI.