INDUSTRY-BY-INDUSTRY OUTLOOK : The Year in Preview

California came several years late to the nation’s economic recovery party, but the state should be celebrating all through 1997.

Here is what key industries will be up to:

INSURANCE: Homeowners and earthquake insurance should become more readily available as the California Earthquake Authority starts operation by offering bare-bones quake coverage. Also look for auto insurance rates to continue falling as insurers enjoy a reduction in claims’ costs and competition heats up.