Life and Health Foundation for Education Supports Life Insurance Awareness Month [Health & Beauty Close – Up]

The Life and Health Foundation for Education announced to educate Americans about the importance of life insurance, the industry will once again come together this September to support Life Insurance Awareness Month.

According to a release, the campaign is coordinated by the Foundation to encourage Americans to get coverage.

The Foundation said 83 percent of Americans believe most people need life insurance and 65 percent admit they personally need the coverage. The top two reasons people cite for not purchasing more are that they have other financial priorities (85 percent) or they believe the product is too expensive (83 percent).

"Sometimes life happens and while we can't control it, we can do our best to prepare for it. That's why purchasing life insurance needs to be a priority. It helps guarantee your loved ones will be taken care of should something happen to you," said Marvin Feldman, President and CEO of the Foundation. "Yet, the unfortunate reality is that life insurance has fallen off the priority list for millions of Americans. This September, we want to remind people about the uncertainties of life and encourage them to take steps to get the protection they need."

Buddy Valastro, owner of Carlo's Bake Shop, will serve as national spokesperson for the campaign.

When he was just 17 years old, his life changed when his father was diagnosed with lung cancer and died three weeks later at the age of 54.

"If there had been life insurance, I know things would have been a lot easier. I could have hired more people, worried less and had time to grieve," said Valastro.

For its part in the campaign, the Foundation also will sponsor new advertising and consumer public awareness efforts through social and traditional media, and will offer educational materials through its website

"Our hope is that information about life insurance will be hard to ignore this September. Life insurance is a critical part of any sound financial plan and it is time people put aside their excuses to find out if they are adequately covered," said Feldman.

Life Insurance Awareness Month was created by the Life and Health Foundation for Education. It is an industry effort involving companies and insurance advisors.

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