If your primary earner dies, would you be able cover at least a few months’ living expenses?

If you answered “No,”Research by the association LIMRA shows that at least two-thirds American households are in the exact same boat. For anyone worried about the future of society, the question is: Do so many Americans realize that life insurance is one the best ways to protect yourself against possible impoverishment? Half of American households believe they do. “need more”of it — then why is the 50-year-old low in ownership of these policies?

Und noch “low,”This means that 3 out 10 households don’t have life insurance.

We give September a tip. “Life Insurance Awareness Month,”Experts cite three reasons why the drop in sales is occurring:

* Economic turmoil. The past decade has been difficult for most people. Inflation has caused wages to stagnate. Home mortgages remain underwater. The Big Corollary (Nonsurprise): Americans tightened their belts as they have seen their life insurance volume drop by five percent each year since 2007. More people have also let their policies lapse.

* Misperceptions about the “prohibitive”cost. Neil Sprackling is president, U.S. health and life at Swiss Re (www.swissre.com(a top wholesale provider of reinsuranceIt celebrates its 150th anniversary. “Balance that,”He says, “against the reality that life insurance is essential to a family’s long-term health. An inadequate policy could spell big trouble, and the wrong policy could render a household unable to maintain their standard of living upon the death of an income-generating family member.”

* Too many and too complex options. “Overwhelmed”It’s a reasonable way to describe how consumers react to the various policies. It is encouraging to note that the insurance industry has made significant strides towards being more user-friendly. Consumers can now search and apply online for insurance policies. Additionally, many insurance websites provide calculators to help them determine how much coverage they will need. Another plus: Many financial advisors have partnered with life insurance specialists, who can quickly walk customers through the application process.

What’s the bottom line? The bottom line? It’s easier than ever to find the right plan for you. And it might be less expensive than you think.