Online Life Insurance Inquires Up On Swine Flu Fears

Online life insurance companies see sharp rise in site traffic as the H1N1 virus spreads throughout the United States.

"Online inquires for life insurance are up as individuals look to get their financial matters in order. Many people are concerned over the possible Swine Flu pandemic and are protecting themselves in any way they can," says Larry Klein, Agency owner and Broker of Free Life Term Quote, an online insurance service.

The World Health Organization said Friday, "Larger numbers of severely ill patients requiring intensive care are likely to be the most urgent burden on health services, creating pressures that could overwhelm intensive care units and possibly disrupt the provision of care for other diseases."

The Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 is estimated to have killed over 20 million people and some estimates are as high as 100 million. This severe type of influenza killed up to 20% of those infected and, like the H1N1 flu virus, killed mostly young healthy adults. While later flu pandemics did not claim as many victims, the Asian Flu in 1957 and the Hong Kong Flu in 1968 nevertheless killed millions of people.

"To date, most severe cases and deaths have occurred in adults under the age of 50 years, with deaths in the elderly comparatively rare. This age distribution is in stark contrast with seasonal influenza, where around 90% of severe and fatal cases occur in people 65 years of age or older," WHO said.

Normally spread though sneezing and coughing, each year seasonal influenza infects between 5 and 20 percent of the population in the United States. The flu virus is also able to survive outside of the body on many surfaces including doorknobs, light switches and even money. Coming into contact with any contaminated surface can lead to infection.

FreeLifeTermQuote.com has recently added additional agents to keep up with increasing demand for life insurance quotes.

"Business is booming." said Klein. "The Swine Flu is definitely scaring people. Whether or not these fears are founded I guess we'll see. Either way, this concern has given a big boost to our site traffic and sales," he ended.