I came across a trove of interesting data at https://injuryfacts.nsc.org that I thought help put mortality risk and our own personal health into perspective. When it comes to managing risk, it’s important to not overlook the odds. At the same time, it’s important not to sweat the small stuff.

On top of life insurance, disability income protection immediately comes to mind. One in three US workers will grapple with some form of disability in their working years.

As a financial advisor or agent, you would be doing your life insurance clients a disservice if you weren’t also asking about income protection.

Excerpted from “Odds of Dying”:

Fear is natural and healthy. It can help us respond to danger more quickly or avoid a dangerous situation altogether. It can also cause us to worry about the wrong things, especially when it comes to estimating our level of risk.

If we overestimate our risk in one area, it can lead to anxiety and interfere with carrying out our normal daily routine. Ironically, it also leads us to underestimate real risks that can injure or kill us.

It can be difficult to accurately assess the biggest risks we face. Plane crashes, being struck by lightning or being attacked by a dog are common fears, but what about falls, the danger inside of a bottle of pills, or your drive to work?

Knowing the odds is the first step in beating them.