Get Insured!
When the unexpected happens, oftentimes the only difference between financial security and total devastation is appropriate insurance coverage. Having insurance is just an all-around smart move. If you think you can't afford it, believe me, you can't afford NOT to have it! Imagine what would happen if you had no health coverage and got diagnosed with a condition like cancer, or your child got asthma. Not only would you not have coverage to help you pay for the medical bills at the time, you would also be suddenly uninsurable. You would have great difficulty finding anyone willing to cover you, and if they did they would certainly charge you exhorbitant rates. The same goes for Life insurance... lock in your rate while you're healthy because the insurance companies will take any excuse to charge you more. Don't forget home owner's insurance and if you drive you are required to have at least basic auto insurance. Do shop around for the best rates, but be sure you know what you're getting for your money.
Health Insurance
Everyone gets sick sometime or other, and accidents happen, which is why having some kind of health insurance is truly a must. Good health plans give you peace of mind and make you less reluctant to seek medical help when you need it. Delay can be lethal when dealing with some health concerns, like finding a lump, dealing with a virulent infection, or stroke or heart attack symptoms. So make the choice to seek medical attention an easy one by opting in to a good health plan. In the U.S., employers are required to provide medical benefits to all their full-time employees and their dependents. You usually still have to pay some kind of premium, and there are often copays and deductibles, but some insurance is definitely better than no insurance when you're facing paying for a hospital stay or an emergency room visit. If you're living with an income that falls below poverty levels and you have no affordable health care options, the government provides Medicaid through the State to meet your health care needs. There are also programs for low income families who don't qualify for Medicaid to have their children insured through a program called CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program). CHIP is also handled at the state level.
Life Insurance
When a family loses its breadwinner unexpectedly, life insurance is there to help replace that income for the family. You should have life insurance if you have anyone who relies on your income or services for their maintainence. How much coverage you purchase is up to you- though five years' income is usually a good starting place. If you are relatively young and healthy and live a quiet, non-death-defying, skydiving, or crocodile wrestling lifestyle, insurance rates tend to be quite reasonable, at least for term coverage. It helps if you don't smoke, carry extra weight, or have high cholesterol or blood pressure as well. Most legitimate life insurance companies require a medical exam before they will offer you definite rates. Be very suspicious of "too good to be true" offers from no-name companies offering large policies for low rates to anyone with no medical exam. Chances are they aren't legit and won't pay out. Research your company, make sure they're reputable, and review the policy carefully before buying in. Term life insurance (which is a set premium for a certain period instead of the rest of your life) is much cheaper than lifetime rates. Everyone dies, so insurance companies aren't about to bet that you're immortal. The best approach is to buy coverage only for the period of your life during which you have dependents that rely on your annual income. When your kids are grown and gone and you're retired, life insurance is no longer recommended. It quickly becomes more expensive than it's worth. Don't neglect to get insurance for stay-at-home moms as well. Child care is expensive and you'll want to provide for that need if mom passes away.
If you're perfectly young and healthy and you're absolutely certain that the only way you could die is through an accident, then it may be worth considering an "accidental death or dimemberment" policy. These policies give you more bang for your buck compared to traditional term life insurance, but only work in cases of, well accidental death or dismemberment. If you die in a fire, or a car wreck- you're good. As a bonus, of sorts, these policies also pay out a certain percentage if you lose an arm, leg, eye, etc. A little morbid, perhaps, but it could happen.
Auto Insurance
If you don't have it, you better not be driving! Auto insurance companies are getting very competetive, so definitely shop around for the best rates. It's also worth considering getting more than the most basic coverage. Most basic liability policies don't cover damage you cause to your own car, not to mention theft, hit-and-runs, towing or so-called "act of God." It's worth checking out the rates for some of these extras. They can definitely be worth it.