48 Million U.S. Households Are Underinsured, Says AAA.

BURNSVILLE, Minn. -- A new study by LIMRA International shows that 44 percent of all U.S. households either don't own life insurance and believe they should, or own life insurance and believe they need more. The study also reveals that three-fourths of American households do not have a personal life insurance agent or a personal financial advisor or planner.

To help consumers make informed choices about life insurance, the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE) has designated September as Life Insurance Awareness Month.

"This is a good time to re-evaluate your life insurance coverage needs," says Gail Weinholzer, director of public affairs AAA Minnesota/Iowa. "There are a number of important events in everyone's life - marriage, children, a new house, college, retirement - all of which can affect the amount of financial protection required to support loved ones in the event of premature death."

As part of the month-long campaign to raise life insurance awareness, LIFE has contracted with Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton to serve as its official spokesperson. Hamilton agreed to share his own personal experience of losing his mother at a young age and overcoming a life-threatening illness to illustrate the importance of planning financially for the unexpected.

"Losing my mother and fighting my own battle with cancer taught me that unexpected events can rock your family at any time," Hamilton said. "When my mom died, the emotional challenges that my family and I faced were compounded by financial struggles because she didn't have any life insurance. Because of that experience, I've owned life insurance since I was a young adult. Now that I'm married and have a son who's almost three, I value the financial security life insurance provides more than ever."

According to Gail, consumers procrastinate about life insurance for a variety of reasons: some have questions about affordability; some doubt the need, others have indecision about proper coverage levels. To help ease consumer concerns, LIFE has established a website - www.life-line.org - where basic information is available without pressure to buy. In addition to information, the site offers a "Value and Needs Calculator" that helps consumers determine the best coverage for their individual needs.

Life insurance available through AAA is underwritten by AAA Life Insurance Co., Livonia, Mich. For more information about AAA products and services, or to find your own personal life insurance agent, visit AAA.com or call toll-free 1-800-222-1333.

FACTS ABOUT LIFE - 2006

--More than 1 in 4 men have no life insurance coverage, and almost two-thirds of men aged 18 to 24 have no life insurance.

--Nearly 1 in 3 women have no life insurance coverage.

--The average amount of life insurance coverage on insured individuals reached $146,300 in 2004.

--Twenty-five percent of U.S. household heads feel they do not have a plan in place to provide a decent standard of living for their family if they died tomorrow.

--Three-fourths of Americans needing more insurance think they can't afford the premium, despite the fact that many are under age 45 and could buy term insurance for a modest sum.

--Consumers feel buying life insurance is an important and complex financial decision. Eight in 10 find it difficult to decide how much and what type to buy and worry about making the wrong decision. Two-thirds don't know where to buy or who to turn to for help.

--Life insurance surpassed all other sources of financial assets or income that Americans expect to use to help pay bills and to maintain their lifestyle if a primary wage earner dies.

AAA offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to more than 49 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA Minnesota/Iowa is part of The Auto Club Group, with 4.1 million members in eight Midwest states.

(Editor's note: September is Life Insurance Awareness Month)