How well do most Americans do on a health insurance knowledgetest?

Not very.

That's the finding from LIMRA, which asked more than 2,000Americans a series of 10 true/false questions to gauge theirunderstanding and basic knowledge of health insurance.

Nearly eight in 10 consumers failed the test—answering five orfewer questions correctly. Just one in 10 consumers correctlyanswered at least seven questions.

The uninsured fared the worst—on average, they answered fewerthan three in 10 questions correctly—but still the insured didn'tknow much more.

Consumers who are younger, less affluent, less educated andunemployed also, on average, did poorly.

For the most part, however, consumers are knowledgeable aboutwhat health insurance is and how to access care, though many showeda tremendous lack of knowledge about plan features, how varioustypes of plans work and the costs involved.

LIMRA said the survey showcases the important need for brokersand agents.

“Consumers need help determining what types of coverage areavailable and what they should buy to best meet their need,” AnitaPotter, assistant vice president, LIMRA group insurance research,said in a statement. “Our industry can help by engaging andeducating consumers now, so when they ultimately choose theirhealth care insurance, it is done prudently.”

That need for education also is important as the public healthexchanges open up in October under the Patient Protection andAffordable Care Act. Just 14 percent said they understand how theexchanges will work.