SAN FRANCISCO, June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) today expanded its award-winning Insure U consumer education program with new topic areas aimed at consumers in four life situations: domestic partners, single parents, grandparents raising grandchildren and members of the military.
"Expanding our Insure U program directly reflects the varied life situations and needs that characterize our diverse nation," said NAIC President and Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger. "Insure U is an important resource to help consumers better understand insurance issues specific to their experiences. I'm proud that we have four new ways for Americans to get smart about insurance."
The Insure U curriculum, available at www.insureUonline.org, provides insurance tips and special considerations on four basic types of insurance: auto, home, health and life. The expanded topics build on the four life situations already available on the site: young singles, young families, established families and seniors.
In developing the new Insure U content, the NAIC conducted national research in March 2008 among domestic partners, single parents, grandparents raising grandchildren and members of the military.
"In order to help us develop relevant tips and information, we first needed to find out where the information gaps occur," said NAIC Executive Vice President and CEO Catherine J. Weatherford. "Our research identified many misperceptions and misunderstandings about insurance among these consumer groups."
Following is a summary of the key research findings, with interpretive commentary provided by the NAIC:
"The NAIC and state insurance departments are committed to educating consumers across multiple life situations on insurance issues that could impact their lives," Weatherford said. "Insure U is at the foundation of this public duty -- reaching millions of consumers every year and helping them make more informed insurance decisions."
The Insure U curriculum also provides information about how to avoid being scammed by fake insurance companies selling fraudulent insurance policies. Disaster preparedness and long-term care insurance tips are also included. After reviewing the curriculum, consumers can take an online quiz and download an Insure U diploma.
About the NAIC
Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., 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's overriding objective is to assist state insurance regulators in protecting consumers and helping maintain the financial stability of the insurance industry by offering financial, actuarial, legal, computer, research, market conduct and economic expertise. Formed in 1871, the NAIC is the oldest association of state officials. For more than 135 years, state-based insurance supervision has served the needs of consumers, industry and the business of insurance at-large by ensuring hands-on, frontline protection for consumers, while providing insurers the uniform platforms and coordinated systems they need to compete effectively in an ever-changing marketplace. For more information, visit www.naic.org/press_home.htm.
SOURCE National Association of Insurance Commissioners
