Let’s talk insurance: conversation cards for young people and families

Talking about money is not always easy, especially for young people. Insurance Europe’s “Let’s talk insurance” conversation cards help families start simple conversations about money, risk and insurance through real-life situations. The cards are aimed mainly at parents and children aged 11 to 15, but they are useful for all teenagers, teachers and youth organisations.

What are the “Let’s talk insurance” conversation cards?

The cards are designed to help young people and their families talk about money, risk and insurance through real-life situations. They draw on the skills set out in the EU-OECD Financial Competence Framework for Children and Youth, especially in the area of risks and rewards.

Using everyday situations, the cards help start conversations about what can go wrong, what that could cost, and how people can prepare.

How to use the cards

Using the cards is simple.

Pick one card and read it together. Let the child answer first. There is no right or wrong answer. The goal is not to test knowledge, but to start a conversation.

Ask follow-up questions such as:

  • Why?
  • What else could happen?
  • Who would be responsible?
  • What would you do first?

You can also share your own experience or talk about a similar situation you know. Keep it relaxed. Even a few minutes is enough.

How to get the cards

If you would like to receive the “Let’s talk insurance” conversation cards, or if you have any questions, please feel free to email Annemarie Bos-de Roos, [email protected].

Why the cards matter for financial education

Financial education often focuses on spending, saving and investing. Those topics are important, but real life also includes accidents, scams, damage, theft and unexpected costs.

The cards help bring these issues into the conversation. They show that talking about money also means talking about risk, responsibility, protection and being prepared.

They are not technical insurance lessons. Their purpose is to make conversations about money, risk and insurance easier, and to help young people build confidence through everyday situations they can recognise.

Who are the cards for?

The cards are mainly designed for parents and children aged 11 to 15. This is often a time when young people start becoming more independent with money: buying things online, owning valuable items, travelling more independently, spending more time online, and facing a higher risk of scams or misleading advice.

The topics are relevant for all teenagers. The cards may also be useful in schools, youth organisations and other settings as a starting point for wider discussions about money, risk and insurance.

KEY FACT

Only 11 % of young people felt they received enough education in school on financial and insurance topics

Source: Joint survey by Insurance Europe and the European Youth Parliament, What do young people really think about insurance? (2025)

What topics do the cards cover?

The cards cover a wide range of situations that young people can recognise from everyday life.

These include questions such as:

  • What is your first move if your bike is stolen?
  • Who pays if you crack your phone screen?
  • What problems can a big storm cause for families?
  • Should you insure a €50 hoodie or a €1000 laptop?
  • What do you do if a gaming account gets hacked or a “finfluencer” promises easy money online?

They also touch on issues such as lending money, cancelled events, phishing messages, subscriptions, travel problems and online scams.

“Your day” – Things that can go wrong in daily life

These cards look at problems that can happen in everyday life, such as accidents, loss or damage at home, at school or on holiday. They help young people understand that when something goes wrong, it can create financial problems as well as practical or emotional ones.

“Your plan” – How people prepare for problems and costs

These cards look at how people prepare for problems and deal with costs when something happens. They show why people use insurance, why many choose to pay a small amount to avoid a big surprise, and what other options exist, such as saving money or getting help from family.

“Your choice” – Saving, investing and balancing risk and reward

These cards help young people think about priorities and future choices. They introduce ideas such as uncertainty, saving, investing, balancing risk and reward, and fairness.

“Your action” – Digital life, gaming and online risks

These cards focus on risks in young people’s digital world, including gaming, social media, subscriptions and online scams. They show that online actions can also have real financial consequences.

“Your day” – Things that can go wrong in daily life

These cards look at problems that can happen in everyday life, such as accidents, loss or damage at home, at school or on holiday. They help young people understand that when something goes wrong, it can create financial problems as well as practical or emotional ones.

“Your plan” – How people prepare for problems and costs

These cards look at how people prepare for problems and deal with costs when something happens. They show why people use insurance, why many choose to pay a small amount to avoid a big surprise, and what other options exist, such as saving money or getting help from family.

“Your choice” – Saving, investing and balancing risk and reward

These cards help young people think about priorities and future choices. They introduce ideas such as uncertainty, saving, investing, balancing risk and reward, and fairness.

“Your action” – Digital life, gaming and online risks

These cards focus on risks in young people’s digital world, including gaming, social media, subscriptions and online scams. They show that online actions can also have real financial consequences.

Why parents and families matter

Parents are often the first and most trusted source of financial guidance, but many find it difficult to start conversations about money and risk.

Insurance is often left out, even though young people already face situations such as lost phones, broken bikes, travel problems, online scams and other events with real financial consequences. The cards are meant to make those first conversations easier.

Part of the #InsureWisely campaign

The “Let’s talk insurance” conversation cards are part of Insurance Europe’s #InsureWisely campaign, launched in 2018.

Through the campaign, Insurance Europe and its members raise awareness of risk, insurance and long-term saving for retirement through clear, accessible materials such as videos, booklets and infographics. Member associations across Europe use and adapt these materials in their national financial literacy activities, helping to make them relevant for local audiences and different stages of life.

You can learn more about the #InsureWisely campaign and what the insurance sector is doing to support financial and insurance literacy by clicking on the button below.

Financial education (#InsureWisely)


Contacts

Diane Lebreton

Policy advisor
+32 2 894 30 67

Annemarie Bos-de Roos

Communications manager
+32 2 894 30 71