Summer Tips

YOUTHFUL DRIVERS

Many youthful individuals are driving more and driving later at night. Therefore, there is a need to be aware of the potential hazards that these inexperienced drivers can cause.

Motor vehicle crashes cause 48% of all teen deaths in Iowa. To address this issue, we need to create an atmosphere where young drivers are supported as they learn and are given appropriate guidance in preparation for the complexities of driving. By maximizing experience and minimizing risks while this experience is gained, we can protect teens while they are learning and produce safer drivers.

Some recent statistics are as follows:
In the past five years, 162 teen drivers, ages 14-17 lost their lives in crashes in Iowa (CDC, 2009) In fatal crashes involving teen drivers (age 15-17), the teen driver is the person killed 38% of the time, a teen driver’s passenger is the victim 26% of the time and an occupant of another vehicle is killed 26% of the time (Iowa DOT 1998-2007) The risk of crashing is 3 to 5 times higher when teens drive with more than 1 passenger than when they drive alone (Iowa DOT, 2006) In Iowa teen drivers (ages 16 and 17) are involved in more fatal crashes between the hours of 10 p.m. and midnight than any other time of day (Iowa DOT, 2009)

Young-beginner drivers need to obtain experience gradually, over an extended period of time, in order to develop good judgment and learn the complex skills needed to drive safely. Research has shown that improving the structure of driver licensing systems can reduce teen- crash involvement.

The Iowa DOT has started to use Graduated Driver Licensing, or GDL, to help with this problem. GDL is an experience-based approach that allows young drivers to gain experience while minimizing risks to them and others with whom they share the road. Y

OUR NEED FOR LIFE INSURANCE

Another problem in today’s environment is the number of households that do not carry life insurance. Although it is not required by law or any other authority, life insurance is one of the most responsible lines of coverage a person can own.

In the event of a death of a loved one, life insurance can be helpful in providing funds for:
Funeral Expenses
Loss of Income
Children’s Education
Expenses Excess
Expenses due to loss of parent

These life insurance benefits can ease the burden placed on your loved ones in the unfortunate case of death. That is why it is surprising that so many people are without it.

The following statistics should be considered in your estate planning: LIMRA’s 2010 Life Insurance Ownership Study found that 30% of U.S. households (35 million) have no life insurance protection at all Only 44% of U.S. households have individual life insurance (a 50 year low)

The average cost of a regular adult funeral in the U.S. (not including vault, cemetery, monument/marker costs or flowers) is $6195 (National Funeral Directors Association 2010) Social Security may only provide a lump-sum death benefit of $255 (Social Security Administration 2006)

Life insurance is affordable when you compare it to the benefits it can provide. Call us at NorthStar Agency to get a life insurance quote. Purchasing a policy suited to your needs will give you and your loved ones peace of mind.