CONROE — Howard Bensema is paying the price for years of
prudence.  Bensema, 74, doesn't like debt, and for more than
three decades he's managed to live without it. He hasn't had a
mortgage since the 1970s.  He paid cash for his last two houses.
He also paid cash for his cars, including the 1902 Oldsmobile he
restored and displays at auto shows.  Bensema has a spotless
driving record, too, and is meticulous in paying bills.  "I have
paid on time or ahead of time for more than 50 years," he says.
While Bensema's habits are laudable, even inspiring, in our
debt-laden times, in the eyes of his insurance company, they
make him a credit risk.  Since the first of the year, he's been
wrangling with his insurer and the state insurance commission.
Given his history, he feels he deserves the lowest possible
rate, but he's not getting it.  The problem is that Bensema has
no recent history of borrowing money and paying it back. That
means he has no verifiable credit and a minuscule credit score.
In citing its reason fo