By National Association of Insurance Commissioners
As a new school year approaches, parents start to tally up the expenses for school supplies, new clothes, physicals, extracurricular activities and more.
But the list doesn’t end there.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) urges consumers to consider safety when it comes to child-related expenses.
From retrofitting a home for a new baby to teaching a teenager safe driving habits and everything in between, Americans work hard to keep their children safe. Yet despite best intentions, on average, parents spend an estimated $11.5 billion annually on injuries to children.
“From the time a child is born through its teenage years, child-related injuries can occur at a moment’s notice,” said Adam Hamm, NAIC President and North Dakota Insurance Commissioner. “We urge parents to educate themselves about the safety risks and insurance implications of raising a child to reduce injuries, save money and potentially even save a life.”
To help consumers get smart about insurance before the unpredictable happens, the NAIC developed Get Ready resources for new parents. The resource kit includes a variety of tips and tools, such as eye-opening statistics, challenging questions to consider and a Take Action Now checklist of things to do, even before a little one arrives.
Eye-opening statistics include:
· Parents spend an estimated $241,000 on child-related necessities from birth to age 17.
· Forty-four percent of playground equipment injuries occur at home.
Questions to consider include:
· Am I prepared financially should my child need special medical treatment?
· What is my/our responsibility if another child gets hurt while playing at our house?
If you are about to become a new parent, some steps to include:
· Find out how your health plan covers prenatal and neo-natal screenings and emergency procedures, such as a C-section.
· Before your due date, find out the deadline for registering a newborn with your health insurance company.
