Whether it’s recognized at the time, or not, each day we take countless measures to reduce risk. From testing the temperature of the shower water prior to entering, to checking our rearview mirror before backing out of a parking space, to locking our front door, we do what we can to minimize the impact of potentially hazardous situations. Yet, while we almost instinctively prevent plunging into a boiling hot shower and reversing into oncoming traffic before 9am, a significant number of American families remain uninsured, or under-insured. Life insurance is arguably the single most effective solution to ensure loved ones are provided for when we find ourselves on the wrong end of risk. Mortgages do not disappear, and the cost of raising a child does not decrease when one spouse passes. As the saying goes, the only guarantees in the world are taxes and death. The difference however, is that taxes are due on April 15th each year. Death on the other hand may come when it is least expected. In 2010, according to The Life Insurance and Market Research Association (LIMRA), 40% households with children under 18, say they would immediately have trouble meeting everyday living expenses if a primary wage-earner died today. Having the opportunity to strategically plan for life’s greatest guaranteed risk is an item that needs to be addressed sooner than later.