New NAIC Insurance IQ Study Reveals Americans Lacking in Confidence, Knowledge of Insurance Choices

KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- In today's challenging economic environment and with questions about the implications of the newly passed health care bill, it's never been more important for consumers to understand their insurance options. Yet, according to a new survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), only 45 percent of Americans feel confident making insurance decisions and more than 60 percent failed to correctly answer basic questions about insurance coverage, including:

• Does auto insurance cover personal property stolen from your car?
• At what age do most people become eligible for Medicare?
• Can credit scores affect your auto insurance premium?

The answers—no, 65 years of age and yes—eluded the majority of the 1,000 American adults who took the survey, which was comprised of two sections—one section gauging broader consumer perceptions on insurance and a second 10-question IQ component that tested specific knowledge. In fact, most respondents only answered four out of 10 questions correctly on the IQ component. That's an average score of only 40 percent—a failing grade by most U.S. educational grading standards.  

Also troubling is the fact that 86 percent of respondents said they do not understand all of the terms being used in the current discussion on health care reform.

"Consumers today are being forced to make difficult decisions about their insurance coverage—decisions that could have a very profound impact on their financial future," said NAIC Chief Executive Officer Therese M. (Terri) Vaughan. "At the same time, they are being overwhelmed with new and sometimes conflicting information about changes to our nation's health care policies. By doing their homework and brushing up on the facts, they can improve their Insurance IQ, which will ultimately enable them to make the best decisions for themselves and their families."

Other key findings related to knowledge of health care and insurance coverage include:

• More than half (55 percent) of all Americans do not understand what a pre-existing condition is, which is critical when selecting health care coverage. A pre-existing condition is any health problem that existed before someone applies for a health insurance policy or enrolled in a new health plan.
• Forty percent do not know the age (65 years of age) at which most people become eligible for Medicare.
• More than half of Americans (53 percent) think that they can only make changes to their group health insurance coverage during the open enrollment period provided by their employer, and 16 percent admit they have no idea when changes can be made. In actuality, certain exceptions apply for new employees or employees with life-changing events such as pregnancies or marriage.

The NAIC survey also found that some of the basics of auto insurance are not well understood, even though it is one of most commonly purchased types of coverage by people of all ages and demographics. The survey found that:

• More than six in 10 Americans (63 percent) do not understand that if property gets stolen from their car, it is covered by their homeowners/renters policy—and not auto insurance.
• More than half (54 percent) do not realize that, depending on the state in which you live, your credit history may be one of the factors considered by insurance companies when determining your premium. Other factors that can affect your auto insurance coverage include: driving record, type of vehicle and the deductibles you choose.
• Eighty-six percent of Americans do not know that when their liability coverage is 100/300/100, the last figure represents the maximum amount that their insurance company will pay in property damage for an accident.

How to Improve Your Insurance IQ

Although many people rely on their insurance agent or human resources department to help them make their insurance decisions, it's important that they become knowledgeable as well since they are the ones taking on the risk. Here are some useful tips:

About the Survey

The NAIC conducted the Insurance IQ study March 2-12, 2010 to highlight consumer concerns and questions; uncover misinformation and insurance myths; and underscore the financial and emotional impact of poor decisions. The Insurance Intelligence Quotient was based on a 10-question quiz on different types of insurance. Participants were given a grade based on the number of questions answered correctly. The participant sample included a nationally representative sample of 1,000 American adults ages 18 and older with a margin of error +/- 3.1 percent in 95 out of 100 cases.

About the NAIC

Formed in 1871, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is a voluntary organization of the chief insurance regulatory officials of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. The NAIC has three offices: Executive Office, Washington, D.C.; Central Office, Kansas City, Mo.; and Securities Valuation Office, New York City. The NAIC serves the needs of consumers and the industry, with an overriding objective of supporting state insurance regulators as they protect consumers and maintain the financial stability of the insurance marketplace. For more information, visit www.naic.org.

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CONTACT:  Monica Charleston, +1-312-233-1317, [email protected], for National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC

SOURCE National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)