SYNOPSIS: During the past two decades, the number of households in America without life insurance has increased by 103% (68 million Americans). Recognizing the need for Americans to better understand life insurance, ING is launching a new, interactive online education tool aimed at making it easier for American consumers to learn about life insurance — Dubbed ING for Life?, www.INGforLife.com. BUTCH BRITTON can discuss:
* The role life insurance plays in a bad economy
* Why families living paycheck to paycheck overlook but need insurance the most
* What Americans may not know about life insurance and common misperceptions
* How life insurance has changed over the past decade from products to pricing
* How inadequate life insurance can impact the short- and long-term finances of families
A recent ING survey found that Americans, in every demographic group, say that their death or the death of their spouse would be a much greater threat to their familys future financial situation than:
* falling home prices
* a stock market crash
* Social Security becoming insolvent
* an economic recession
* a pay cut
* higher interest rate on loans and mortgages
ING has unveiled a new, interactive online tool that aims to make it easier for American consumers to learn about life insurance. Dubbed ING for LifeSM, the online tool walks consumers through an education process to help them determine the type and amount of life insurance that best fits their personal situation.
Americas middle class is underinsured, yet they are probably the population that needs life insurance the most, said ING U.S. Insurance CEO Butch Britton. ING for LifeSM breaks down some of the barriers to learning about and obtaining life insurance by making it easy to get education at their convenience, without pressure or time constraints.
After completing the research and education process, the site offers users the opportunity to move to the buying process. With a few clicks of a mouse, users can get life insurance quotes and connect to an insurance firm that will help them complete a life insurance application.
For insurance professionals and brokerage agencies, ING for LifeSM creates an opportunity for firms to efficiently reach middle-income consumers. With co-branded URL addresses, firms can utilize the tool to generate ready-to-buy customers (aka qualified leads). Firms not designed to handle significant application fulfilment can utilize an ING-approved fulfilment center to respond to consumer questions and complete the sales process.
ING not new to web-based tools and technology
ING is no stranger to leveraging unique and user-friendly, web-based technology for its consumers. In March, ING introduced a free web-tool www.INGCompareMe.com that makes it possible for anyone to see where they stand in relation to others on a wide range of saving, spending, investing, debt and personal finance matters. In April, ING rolled out the second phase of its award-winning, integrated marketing campaign focused on ones retirement number. The campaign includes INGs pioneering site, www.INGyournumber.com, which features an easy-to-use tool for visitors to calculate their number.
Consumers interested in learning about life insurance should visit www.ingforlife.com. Insurance professionals interested in the INGforLifeSM marketing program, should contact their ING representative, or call Kay Eller, director of Retail Life business development at 770-541-3181.
ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, investments, life insurance and retirement services to over 85 million private, corporate and institutional clients in more than 40 countries. With a diverse workforce of about 130,000 people, ING is dedicated to setting the standard in helping our clients manage their financial future.
In the U.S., the ING (NYSE: ING) family of companies offer a comprehensive array of financial services to retail and institutional clients, which includes life insurance, retirement plans, mutual funds, managed accounts, alternative investments, direct banking, institutional investment management, annuities, employee benefits, financial planning, and reinsurance. ING holds top-tier rankings in key U.S. markets and serves over 29 million customers across the nation. For more information, visit www.ing.com/us.{enclose bruce_ing.mp4}
