More than half (58%) of UK adults think they're unlikely to suffer serious illness, with 71% believing they're unlikely to face unemployment and 76% thinking it's unlikely they will face serious financial problems during their lifetimes.
The research revealed that the French feel that they are most likely to suffer a serious illness (64%) or a serious car accident (69%), perhaps contributing to the high number of adults with health insurance. 91% of French adults have taken out health insurance compared to just 40% of adults in the UK.
As a nation, the Brits blasé approach to personal risk is reflected in their lack of financial and insurance planning, with just 38% of UK adults saying they felt very well insured against life risks. In fact, many Brits simply rely on their family to help out financially when times get tough: 74% believe they can rely on financial support from family and relatives during a serious life risk, which could explain why so many are not taking action to protect themselves and their families. In Germany 89% believe that they can rely on financial support from relatives in times of need, whereas in Japan only 47% believe they would find themselves in that position.
Iain Mallon, head of protection at AXA, said: "It is particularly surprising to see how many people think relatively common life risks, such as unemployment, are unlikely to impact on their life, particularly at a time when the global economy is under pressure and we are facing wide-spread predictions of house-price falls.
"Despite the fact that many UK adults think life risks are unlikely to happen to them personally, the reality is that they can happen to anyone, and it's better to prepare for everything that life could throw our way.
"Families are vital for support, but to rely solely on them for financial help is not always the best option. We strongly recommend people seek advice from an independent financial adviser to ensure they have the financial protection they need."
