The purpose of this research was to investigate the perception of financial risks and expenditures for insurance by household characteristics. Data were collected from 598 housewives by online survey on Dec., 2001. Results indicated that respondents had perceived the risk of unemployment most among three types of risks. Household characteristics reflecting financial needs in emergency case had positive effects on the perception of risks, and hence the expenditures for insurance, in general. On the other hand, the level of emergency preparation had negative effects on the perception of risks and the expenditures for insurance. However, only credit-related risk had a positive relationship with the expenditures for insurance.