Mary Cozzolino, assistant commissioner of public affairs, told National Underwriter that the origin of this program came about when Commissioner Bakke, upon becoming the commissioner, decided to conduct a series of meetings and talk directly with drivers about their auto insurance policies.

"What we learned during those conversations," Ms. Cozzolino said, "is that consumers feel powerless to some degree?in most cases, they couldn't understand their options and they were not aware that they had coverage choices."

The program is designed to take online visitors through various coverage choices. "For example, if you choose a higher deductible, it explains to you that it means you are responsible for more of the cost if you are in an accident but it also means your premium would be lower," Ms. Cozzolino said.

"At the end of the program, it generates for you a sheet of all of the choices you've made, which you can then take to your agent and say, ?These are the coverage options that I believe fit me.'" The planner can be accessed online from the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Web site: www.state.nj.us/dobi/index.shtml.