Nearly 20% Would Purchase Life Insurance From A Retail Store

ARLINGTON, Va. and WINDSOR, Conn., April 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly one in five consumers (17%) would be willing to purchase life insurance coverage directly from a retail outlet, according to findings from the 2013 Insurance Barometer Study, conducted by the LIFE Foundation and LIMRA.

This is the third annual study of consumers' attitudes about life insurance, their buying preferences and perceptions about the insurance industry, and the first time consumers were asked about their interest in purchasing life insurance from nontraditional distribution channels.

The study asked consumers to assume they were purchasing life insurance and express their willingness to buy from numerous types of retail locations, such as a warehouse club store, like Costco, or a superstore, like Wal-Mart or Target. Those consumers who were willing to purchase at a superstore (7%) cited perceptions such as "reasonable cost" (63%), "simple process" (44%), "convenient" (43%) and "no pressure to buy" (42), as reasons for their interest. It is important to note, and consistent with previous surveys, that purchasing life insurance in-person from a financial professional is the most preferred way to buy for the majority of all consumers.

"While the number of consumers willing to purchase a life product through a retail outlet is not overwhelming, it certainly is worthy of note," said Todd A. Silverhart, Ph.D., corporate vice president and director of LIMRA Insurance Research, who spoke about the study at LIMRA's annual Life Insurance Conference held this week in New Orleans. "In light of the novelty of the concept and that few people have actually shopped for life insurance through a retail outlet, there is likely to be considerable confusion in the eyes of the consumer as to what such a purchasing experience might entail.  For carriers seeking a niche market, retail ventures could be a worthy approach." 

Consumers Recognize their Coverage Needs but Reluctant to Buy

Consumers continue to acknowledge the need for life insurance, yet ownership of life insurance has remained flat in the three years since the Insurance Barometer was first fielded. The 2013 study found that a majority of consumers (85%) agree that most people need life insurance and 65 percent say they personally need it. However, just 62 percent of consumers indicate they have life insurance coverage today.  One third of all consumers (33%) believe they do not have enough life insurance, including one quarter who currently own a policy.

New this year, the study also asked consumers to rate the likelihood they would buy life insurance for themselves or another member of their household within the next 12 months. Nearly half (45%) express some likelihood of purchasing life insurance in the next year (slightly likely to extremely likely).

"Life insurance has never been as inexpensive or easy to buy – especially with the anticipated growth of online and nontraditional purchasing channels – yet, millions of consumers continue to put off the decision," said Marvin H. Feldman, CLU, ChFC, RFC, president and CEO of the LIFE Foundation. "Insurance professionals and our industry play a critical role in helping to educate the public on the wide range of options available and should continue to work together to help people get the life insurance coverage they know they need." 

Conducted by LIFE and LIMRA, the Insurance Barometer Study is an annual survey that seeks to understand how consumers think and act in regards to life insurance and other financial products. New for 2013, the study also looked at perceptions about new distribution models for buying life insurance and whether various life events impact consumers' likelihood to shop for a policy. For more information and to access a copy of the full report, visit www.lifehappens.org/barometer.

Study Methodology 

The nationwide Insurance Barometer Study was fielded in January 2013 by Harris Interactive using an online panel, which surveyed U.S. adults in both English and Spanish. The 2,000 respondents were between ages 18 and 75 and shared or were the sole decision maker for financial matters in the household.  The margin of error in this study is + 2 percentage points. 

About LIFE

The Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE) inspires the public to take personal financial responsibility through the ownership of life insurance and related products. LIFE is the voice of choice for the industry providing the highest quality independent and objective information about life insurance and related products. To learn more about LIFE, go to www.lifehappens.org.

About LIMRA

LIMRA is a worldwide research, consulting and professional development organization that helps more than 850 insurance and financial services companies in 73 countries increase their marketing and distribution effectiveness. Visit LIMRA at www.limra.com.

SOURCE The Life and Health Foundation for Education (LIFE)