This is a hitherto unforeseen implication of revealing too much information about yourself on Facebook or indeed any social networking site. While it would be a little flippant to advise people to think carefully before posting those party photos online for all to see, it is entirely possible that it would work the other way - your insurer might actually offer incentives online if you are seen to be adopting a more healthy lifestyle, for instance. If you are using your privacy settings so that such information is not so easily accessible, you could then actually be costing yourself money. Essentially it's a balancing act: demonstrate publicly that you are a responsible citizen and benefit from your insurer's discounts, or exercise your right to keep your life private, and miss out on their offers. The question is, are you prepared to sacrifice your privacy for a short-term gain? 

Could Your Facebook Profile Lead To Higher Insurance Premiums? (Daily Mail)

There is another side to this story which has broader implications than mere social media: the insurance firms are looking at partnering with the supermarket loyalty card schemes and banks - once they know your standing orders and whether you're buying pasta or pork pies, they will use that data and set your premiums accordingly. Something to bear in mind the next time you use your Clubcard. 

If the use of social media profiles by your insurer (or indeed, your employer) is something which concerns you, it is important to familiarise yourself with the privacy settings on your Facebook profile. Most are set by default to be visible - restrict these to your friends only. I will be producing a short guide to the privacy settings on Facebook in the near future.