--- title: Insurance Barometer Study Shows Gaps in Coverage and Understanding description: The Life Happens LIMRA Life Insurance Barometer Study points to opportunities for NAIFA members and other financial professionals to close the insurance need-gap. image: https://at.naifa.org/hubfs/Mayeux%20CEO%20Column%20-%20042024.png --- [![ApexNLC_banner2-1](https://at.naifa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ApexNLC_banner2-1.jpg?width=728&height=73&name=ApexNLC_banner2-1.jpg)](https://apex.naifa.org/) [![Advisor Today Logo - White@960](https://at.naifa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Advisor%20Today%20Logo%20-%20White@960.png?width=960&height=146&name=Advisor%20Today%20Logo%20-%20White@960.png) ![Advisor Today Logo - White@960](https://at.naifa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Advisor%20Today%20Logo%20-%20White@960.png?width=960&height=146&name=Advisor%20Today%20Logo%20-%20White@960.png) ](https://at.naifa.org/) [![Join NAIFA](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2635471/19793afe-5adf-4f28-b999-9dd4527de76b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2635471/19793afe-5adf-4f28-b999-9dd4527de76b) [**](https://at.naifa.org/insurance-barometer-study-shows-gaps-in-coverage-and-understanding#tmpmodule_1614584860767204) ** ![Lifesaver Beach-1](https://at.naifa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Lifesaver%20Beach-1.jpeg?width=1400&height=799&name=Lifesaver%20Beach-1.jpeg) #### **NAIFA Members Provide Financial Security** ###### 2 min read ## [Insurance Barometer Study Shows Gaps in Coverage and Understanding](https://at.naifa.org/insurance-barometer-study-shows-gaps-in-coverage-and-understanding) By [Kevin Mayeux](https://at.naifa.org/author/kevin-mayeux) on 4/29/24 11:24 PM ###### Topics: [Life Insurance & Annuities](https://at.naifa.org/topic/life-insurance-annuities) [Life Happens](https://at.naifa.org/topic/life-happens) [LIMRA](https://at.naifa.org/topic/limra) [Message From the CEO](https://at.naifa.org/topic/message-from-the-ceo) ![](https://at.naifa.org/hubfs/Mayeux%20CEO%20Column%20-%20042024.png) #### Message From the CEO [Life Happens](https://lifehappens.org/), NAIFA’s consumer-education arm, has collaborated for the 14th year with [LIMRA](https://www.limra.com/en/) to conduct the 2024 [Insurance Barometer Study](https://lifehappens.org/press/barometer-2024/). The findings reveal a great opportunity for financial professionals to educate Americans about the importance of life insurance and dispel some of the myths and misunderstandings that contribute to a life insurance need-gap in the United States. As we wrap up April, [National Financial Literacy Month](https://at.naifa.org/financially-literate-consumers-benefit-everyone), it’s a great time to remember that an important part of being a financial professional involves improving the financial literacy of clients and consumers. ![LH Barometer Graphic](https://at.naifa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/LH%20Barometer%20Graphic.png?width=290&height=363&name=LH%20Barometer%20Graphic.png)The [Study found](https://lifehappens.widen.net/s/xsjld7ncd8/infographic_barometer_li_2024) that half of Americans say they have life insurance coverage, but 42% – or approximately 102 million adults – say they need coverage or more of it. The biggest reason they give for being uninsured or underinsured: “It’s too expensive.” But let’s drill down on that. The study also found that 72% of consumers overestimate the true cost of life insurance. More than half said they based their insurance cost estimate on “gut instinct” or a “wild guess.” It’s fair to assume most of them have not [consulted a NAIFA member](https://www.naifaconnect.org/search). There is obviously a critical role for insurance and financial professionals to improve the public’s understanding of life insurance products and help them find solutions that fit their budgets. This presents opportunities in multiple communities. Demographic groups most likely to say they need insurance or more insurance include: households earning less than $50,00 per year (56%), Hispanic Americans (53%), Black Americans (49%), Gen Z (49%), and women (45%). **Retirement Worries** The study reveals areas beyond life insurance where financial professionals can have a positive influence on the public’s financial literacy and address their money concerns. Millennials expressed the highest level of financial uneasiness among the generational groups, with 54% worrying that they won’t have enough money for a comfortable retirement. This is a concern shared by Gen X (48%), Gen Z (43%), and to a lesser extent Baby Boomers (29%). Consumers who understand money matters and have high financial IQs make great clients. They know the value of risk-protection products, retirement planning, and providing financial legacies. It benefits everyone to have talented, ethical financial professionals like NAIFA members on the front lines of our struggle to increase financial literacy. Without you, the statistics would be much bleaker. Many more families would be unprepared, unprotected, and more anxious. I would like to personally thank you for the great work you are doing. # TOPIC LIST : - [Member Spotlight (186)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/member-spotlight) - [Press Release (161)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/press-release) - [Podcast (97)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/podcast) - [Advisor Today (87)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/advisor-today) - [Loyal Member Profile (83)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/loyal-member-profile) - [Leaders (65)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/leaders) - [Life Insurance & Annuities (63)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/life-insurance-annuities) - [Awards (56)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/awards) - [Insurance (54)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/insurance) - [New Member Profile (54)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/new-member-profile) - [Potential Partners for Advisors (54)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/potential-partners-for-advisors) - [Financial Planning (41)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/financial-planning) - [Webinar (40)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/webinar) - [Diversity (35)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/diversity) - [Grow Your Business (35)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/grow-your-business) - [Business Performance Center (34)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/business-performance-center) - [Long-Term Care (32)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/long-term-care) - [Members (32)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/members) - [Advocacy (30)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/advocacy) - [Membership (28)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/membership) - [Medicare (27)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/medicare) - [#NAIFAProud (26)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/naifaproud) - [Professional Development (26)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/professional-development) - [NAIFA Partner (25)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/naifa-partner) - [Loyal Member (24)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/loyal-member) - [Limited & Extended Care Planning Center (23)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/limited-extended-care-planning-center) - [NAIFA 100% Agency (23)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/naifa-100-agency) - [Talent Development Center (23)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/talent-development-center) - [LACP (20)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/lacp) - [Federal Advocacy (19)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/federal-advocacy) - [Life Happens (19)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/life-happens) - [NAIFA CEO Executive Summary (19)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/naifa-ceo-executive-summary) - [Retirement Planning (19)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/retirement-planning) - [Financial Literacy (15)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/financial-literacy) - [Leadership (14)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/leadership) - [Marketing (14)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/marketing) - [NAIFA Proud (14)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/naifa-proud) - [Retirement (14)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/retirement) - [Apex (13)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/apex) - [COVID-19 (13)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/covid-19) - [Certifications & Designations (13)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/certifications-designations) - [Prospecting (13)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/prospecting) - [#MemberBenefits (12)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/memberbenefits) - [Legislation & Regulations (12)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/legislation-regulations) - [Sales & Marketing (12)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/sales-marketing) - [Technology (12)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/technology) - [Ethics (11)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/ethics) - [FSP (11)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/fsp) - [FinTech (11)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/fintech) - [Grassroots (11)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/grassroots) - [Group & Employee Benefits (11)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/group-employee-benefits) - [Research/Trends (11)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/research-trends) - [Running Your Practice (11)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/running-your-practice) - [Health Care (10)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/health-care) - [Life Insurance Awareness Month (10)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/life-insurance-awareness-month) - [Advanced Planning (9)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/advanced-planning) - [Planning in Advance (9)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/planning-in-advance) - [Reverse Mortgages (9)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/reverse-mortgages) - [Technology Tools (9)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/technology-tools) - [Practice Management (8)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/practice-management) - [Producer Sales & Marketing (8)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/producer-sales-marketing) - [Benefits (7)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/benefits) - [Disability Insurance (7)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/disability-insurance) - [Limited Care (7)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/limited-care) - [Protect Your Business (7)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/protect-your-business) - [Sales (7)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/sales) - [Advocacy Partnerships (6)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/advocacy-partnerships) - [Congressional Conference (6)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/congressional-conference) - [DOL (6)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/dol) - [Financial Security (6)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/financial-security) - [IFAPAC (6)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/ifapac) - [Industry News (6)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/industry-news) - [Long-Term Care Insurance (6)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/long-term-care-insurance) - [Annuity Awareness Month (5)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/annuity-awareness-month) - [Disability Income Insurance (5)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/disability-income-insurance) - [Life Annuity Certified Professional (LACP) Program (5)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/life-annuity-certified-professional-lacp-program) - [Loan (5)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/loan) - [Message From the CEO (5)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/message-from-the-ceo) - [4 Under 40 (4)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/4-under-40) - [Congress (4)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/congress) - [Disability Insurance Awareness Month (4)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/disability-insurance-awareness-month) - [Extended Care (4)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/extended-care) - [Financial Wellness (4)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/financial-wellness) - [Help Protect Our Families (4)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/help-protect-our-families) - [Knowledge Centers (4)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/knowledge-centers) - [Medicare Part D (4)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/medicare-part-d) - [NAIFA Foundation (4)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/naifa-foundation) - [Retirement Plans (4)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/retirement-plans) - [Small Business (4)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/small-business) - [Social Media Marketing (4)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/social-media-marketing) - [Taxes (4)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/taxes) - [2025 Strategic Plan (3)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/2025-strategic-plan) - [Annuity Best Interest (3)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/annuity-best-interest) - [CRM (3)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/crm) - [Continuing Education (3)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/continuing-education) - [Diverse Markets (3)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/diverse-markets) - [Fiduciary (3)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/fiduciary) - [Financial Security Champion (3)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/financial-security-champion) - [Journal of Financial Service Professionals (3)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/journal-of-financial-service-professionals) - [LIMRA (3)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/limra) - [Lifestyle Planning (3)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/lifestyle-planning) - [New York (3)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/new-york) - [Referrals (3)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/referrals) - [Social Media (3)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/social-media) - [State Advocacy (3)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/state-advocacy) - [Women (3)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/women) - [401(k) (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/401k) - [Careers in Financial Services (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/careers-in-financial-services) - [Colorado (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/colorado) - [Compliance (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/compliance) - [Consumers (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/consumers) - [DIAM (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/diam) - [Estate Planning (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/estate-planning) - [Finance (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/finance) - [Future Leaders (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/future-leaders) - [Get Out the Vote (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/get-out-the-vote) - [LILI (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/lili) - [Lead Generation (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/lead-generation) - [Medicaid (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/medicaid) - [NAIFA CEO (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/naifa-ceo) - [NAIFA Quality Award (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/naifa-quality-award) - [NLC (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/nlc) - [Networking (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/networking) - [Regulation Best Interest (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/regulation-best-interest) - [SECURE 2.0 (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/secure-2-0) - [Savings (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/savings) - [Social Security (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/social-security) - [Standard of Care & Consumer Protection (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/standard-of-care-consumer-protection) - [Tax Reform (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/tax-reform) - [WIFS (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/wifs) - [YAT (2)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/yat) - [American College (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/american-college) - [Artificial Intelligence (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/artificial-intelligence) - [Asset-Map (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/asset-map) - [Benefits of a Financial Advisor (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/benefits-of-a-financial-advisor) - [Books (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/books) - [Connecticut (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/connecticut) - [Data Security (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/data-security) - [Differentiate (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/differentiate) - [Education (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/education) - [Hall of Fame (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/hall-of-fame) - [Industry Leadership Board (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/industry-leadership-board) - [Investing (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/investing) - [LTC (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/ltc) - [LUTCF (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/lutcf) - [Legacy Planning Tools (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/legacy-planning-tools) - [Legislative Day (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/legislative-day) - [Lifetime Healthcare Center (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/lifetime-healthcare-center) - [LinkedIn (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/linkedin) - [MembershipPays (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/membershippays) - [Missouri (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/missouri) - [NAIFA Cares (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/naifa-cares) - [NAIFA Live (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/naifa-live) - [NAIFA Texas (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/naifa-texas) - [NAIFA-NJ (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/naifa-nj) - [NAIFA-Texas State Conference (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/naifa-texas-state-conference) - [New Jersey (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/new-jersey) - [Property & Casualty Insurance (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/property-casualty-insurance) - [Succession Planning (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/succession-planning) - [Tax Savings (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/tax-savings) - [Washington (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/washington) - [White House (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/white-house) - [caregiving (1)](https://at.naifa.org/tag/caregiving) ###### [** Previous Post](https://at.naifa.org/naifa-remembers-past-president-robert-b.-hughes) [![Robert Hughes](https://at.naifa.org/hubfs/Hughes1.jpg) ](https://at.naifa.org/naifa-remembers-past-president-robert-b.-hughes) ###### [NAIFA Remembers Past President Robert B. Hughes](https://at.naifa.org/naifa-remembers-past-president-robert-b.-hughes) ###### [Next Post **](https://at.naifa.org/from-croatia-comes-commitment-to-care-for-the-community) [![](https://at.naifa.org/hubfs/Sue%20Kuraja%20Podcast%20-%20Blog%20Post%20(1000%20x%20620%20px).png) ](https://at.naifa.org/from-croatia-comes-commitment-to-care-for-the-community) ###### [From Croatia Comes Commitment to Care for the Community](https://at.naifa.org/from-croatia-comes-commitment-to-care-for-the-community) ### Featured ### SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES [![Protectors 26 AT Email Ad](https://at.naifa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Protectors%2026%20AT%20Email%20Ad.jpg?width=300&name=Protectors%2026%20AT%20Email%20Ad.jpg "Protectors 26 AT Email Ad")](https://protectorsvegas.com/naifa-members-application-form/) [![SmartBrief_300x250 1](https://at.naifa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/SmartBrief_300x250%201.jpg?width=300&height=250&name=SmartBrief_300x250%201.jpg)](https://newsletter.smartbrief.com/rest/sign-up/1B9B5596-EBB7-4357-9B50-65DD16397CA5?campaign=in_brief_signup_link&utm_term=D96C1425-2F28-47CC-9E9B-FB9E456B88C9&lrh=51c7fd0f9173ffaf55efb9b109a62d5bbc209db51e753fd38ecfc35896895051&utm_campaign=0DBD8B9A-57E5-42B0-85B5-0D35ACB5185C&utm_content=D24E8B0F-40C1-4E7B-B274-1BFEFC183644&utm_source=brief)   [![Tax Talk Graphic - email tower (300 x 600 px)](https://at.naifa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Tax%20Talk%20Graphic%20-%20email%20tower%20(300%20x%20600%20px).png?width=300&height=600&name=Tax%20Talk%20Graphic%20-%20email%20tower%20(300%20x%20600%20px).png)](https://advocacy.naifa.org/tax-talk)   ### Sign up for updates ##### Recent News [**](https://www.facebook.com/NAIFANational) [**](https://twitter.com/naifa) [**](https://www.instagram.com/onenaifa/) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/naifa) [**](https://www.youtube.com/user/naifavideo) [**](https://soundcloud.com/naifaproud) [![Advisor Today Logo - White@960](https://at.naifa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Advisor%20Today%20Logo%20-%20White@960.png?width=368&height=56&name=Advisor%20Today%20Logo%20-%20White@960.png "Advisor Today Logo - White@960")](http://naifa.org) Copyright © 2022 NAIFA ** ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Kevin Mayeux", "url" : "https://at.naifa.org/author/kevin-mayeux" }, "dateModified" : "2024-06-07T13:50:26.208Z", "datePublished" : "2024-04-30T03:24:12.000Z", "headline" : "Insurance Barometer Study Shows Gaps in Coverage and Understanding", "image" : [ "https://at.naifa.org/hubfs/Mayeux%20CEO%20Column%20-%20042024.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://at.naifa.org/insurance-barometer-study-shows-gaps-in-coverage-and-understanding", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://at.naifa.org/hubfs/New%20NAIFA-3.png" }, "name" : "NAIFA" } } ```