The Fayetteville Observer, N.C., Catherine Pritchard column [The Fayetteville Observer, N.C.]

Dec. 25--QUESTION: Is it true or false that there is a beautiful nativity scene on display inside the White House?

-- T.T., Fayetteville

ANSWER: We don't know how beautiful it is -- we haven't seen it -- but the traditional nativity scene is on display in the East Room of the White House, the same spot it occupies every year.

If you had any doubts about that, they were probably spurred by the minor controversy generated by a story in The New York Times earlier this month about Desiree Rogers, the White House social secretary.

The story said there had been internal discussions at the White House about making Christmas more inclusive, discussions that included whether to display the nativity scene. Tradition prevailed and the 18th century vintage scene was displayed as usual.

If you want to read the original story, you can find it online at this link: http://bit.ly/6w1G9X.

-- G.P.

Q: I have a life insurance policy with American General, which some say is connected or the same as American General Finance Corp. Will my life insurance policy be affected or has it been dissolved due to the buyouts that have taken place? Do you think my policy is still intact and worth the original value?

-- A.B., Stedman

A: American General Life and Accident Insurance Co. and American General Financial Services, a loan business, are separate entities that share a parent company: American General Corp.

American General Life Insurance has an A-plus insurer rating from Standard and Poor's, the financial research company, which indicates strong financial security. But if you have concerns, perhaps you should call your insurance agent or American General directly. If you have a term or universal life policy, call (800) 231-3655. If you have a variable universal life policy, call (800) 340-2765.

You can write the company at P.O. Box 4373,Houston, Texas 77210.

- G.P.

Q: Does the state offer any reward for reporting and the subsequent prosecution of insurance fraud?

-- R.H., Fayetteville

A: Not directly through the N.C. Department of Insurance. But the state does highlight that the N.C.

Arson Awareness Council offers a reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible for setting fires. You can call the council at (800) 334-3000.

To report insurance fraud, visit http://www.ncdoi.com or call (919) 807-6840. -- G.P.

Live Wire seeks to answer questions of general interest and consumer topics within two weeks. Initials are used to identify questioners when names are given. Contact Live Wire at [email protected], http://blogs.fayobserver.com/livewire or 486-3516.

To see more of The Fayetteville Observer or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.fayobserver.com.

Copyright (c) 2009, The Fayetteville Observer, N.C.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.