This month, August 2006, the British government foiled a large terrorist plot to blow up liquid bombs on commercial airline flights between Great Britain and the United States. The United States Government including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) followed suit by raising the Terror Alert Level to High or Red level. The increase in the Terror Alert Level caused many changes in the way Americans conduct their lives, especially in the travel sector. One area that remained unchanged was the demand for life insurance. Sy Alter, President of Spectrum Direct Insurance Services, Inc., owner of AmericanLifeDirect.com "The World's Fastest Life Insurance Policy" wasn't surprised by this at all. "When it comes to buying life insurance, people fear not providing for their families, when it comes to terrorism, a different fear is at work." Mr. Alter has sold insurance for over 30 years and when polling his current clients on their reasons for purchasing life insurance, has never had one client reply that they sought coverage due to terrorism.
When President George W. Bush and the TSA implemented new regulations for carry-on baggage on commercial flights, no longer allowing liquids, gels or lotions on any flights, it caused a ripple through the economy. Travelers are checking more luggage and bringing less on board with them. Food Service providers at airports are seeing a huge drop in demand for their services as airport security requirements no longer allow travelers to board with food or drinks. The situation has been so serious that many citizens are postponing or canceling their flights, choosing not to put themselves in what could possibly be harms way.
Ordinarily you would think there would be a link between the public outcry for security and the private need for life insurance, but that is not the case. When the 9-11 tragedy struck and national security became among our biggest concern, personal financial security like that available to everyone owning life insurance did not increase. Even five years later, with terrorists like Osama Bin Laden still unaccounted for, and terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and Hezbollah still operating around the globe, life insurance buyers do not list terrorism as a driving force in their purchase of a life insurance policy.
If terrorist plots don't drive the sales of life insurance, what does? "Life Insurance purchasers tend to cite three main reasons driving their purchase of Life Insurance." stated Sy Alter. "The most commonly cited reasons to purchase insurance are due to marriage, starting a family or purchasing a home. Life insurance is a personal financial decision, so where insurance is concerned, fear of terrorist activity is not a factor." The conclusion is that Osama Bin Laden and other terrorists around the world may dictate what we can take on our flights, but not whether we buy life insurance.
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