Jay Fishman, chairman and CEO of Travelers, buys his homeownersinsurance from a rival carrier! He said so during a speech in NewYork last week on catastrophe risk at NU's annual ExecutiveConference for the Property-Casualty Industry. Am I the only onewho thinks that's a little weird?

As reported by our managing editor, Susanne Sclafane, Mr. Fishmanrevealed that he isn't covered by his own company while relating apersonal story about the high cost of insurance for homeowners inFlorida–using the example of a house owned by his now deceasedmother-in-law.

Its not written by Travelers,” he noted. “I dont have insuranceby Travelers from a conflict perspective. I just think that its notright for me to be insured by my own company.

You could view this as a laudable ethical stand. This way thereis no question of Mr. Fishman receiving an underpriced quote,overly generous coverage or extra special claims service justbecause he's the big cheese.

On the other hand, buying your own products demonstrates faithin the company, doesn't it? Does not buying your own coverage sendthe opposite message in any way, however subtle or evensubliminal?

I'd love to know who Mr. Fishman buys his coverage from. What amarketing coup for his competitor!

I also have to wonder whether Mr. Fishman's decision is unique,or standard practice among other company CEOs.

What do you folks make of Mr. Fishman's position?

In any case, have a very Happy Thanksgiving! I know I have a lotto be thankful for–including the opportunity to voice my views onthis blog, and to debate the issues of the day with you, myreaders! Thanks again for your comments–positive and negative–andfor making this blog the “public square” of the p-c industry, whereeveryone is free to speak their mind.