If you're in the market for insurance, you might be a little overwhelmed by all of the providers out there. How do you know which ones are worth your time? How can you be sure that they'll protect your interests in your hour of need? Instead of taking a wild guess, make an informed decision with these eight tips.
1. Consider the Type The first step to choosing insurance is to figure out which type of insurance that you actually need. Travel insurance isn't the same as medical insurance, and car insurance will have different terms and prices than home and contents insurance. You'll need to do your research to determine which kind of policy is right for you.
2. Stick to Your Budget You'll have a certain amount of flexibility when it comes to monthly rates; depending on your insurance provider, you should be able to negotiate a higher or lower bill in conjunction with your deductible and policy type. There might also be measures that you can take to lower your liability rating as an individual policy holder. Regardless of how you work out your pricing, however, you'll want to make sure that you don't go over-budget.
3. Ask for Recommendations There are people in your life who have already grappled with the same insurance questions that you're asking yourself. Maybe it's a parent or grandparent with a life insurance policy; maybe it's a co-worker who has recently switched auto insurance providers. Don't be afraid to reach out to them and ask for their opinion.
4. Compare and Contrast Brands While there's nothing wrong with choosing a lesser-known insurance company, you'll want to do your homework about all brands, including the most famous ones. You won't be able to make a truly informed purchase decision unless you have all of the facts. Get a notebook; start jotting down names, rates and coverage types; make lists of pros and cons.
5. Look at Different Insurance Packages A good insurance company will offer multiple "packages" for the same kind of coverage. For example, a car insurance company might offer collision coverage in every one of their packages, but the only way to get a no-fault guarantee is to sign up for a premium package. You'll need to look carefully at terms and conditions before you make your final decision.
6. Test Their Customer Service Pretend that you're a customer of a particular insurance company. Is it easy to use their website? Do they offer things like online billing and online claim reporting? Is their customer service desk open 24/7, or will you need to wait for general business hours? The ideal insurance company will make it convenient for you to get in contact with them.
7. Read Reviews and Ratings Let's say that you've found a potential insurance company. What does the general public think about them? Do they have good reviews from third-party websites? Are there any complaints or scam alerts against them? Have they been vetted by the insurance industry as a whole? Don't put your assets into the hands of a company without a solid support system.
8. Talk to Insurance Agents At the end of the day, the best way to gauge the worth of a potential insurance company is to get on the phone with them. If their agents are rude, unprofessional, unskilled or lacking in general knowledge, you'll know that they aren't the right provider for you. On the flip side, if their agents are able to answer all of your questions and make you feel good about your decision to come to them, they might be worth the effort.
These are just a few tips for choosing insurance. Whether you're protecting your home or your health, it's important that you take your time and evaluate all of your options. Don't rush into anything. Make a decision that inspires confidence in the coverage that you've chosen.
1. Consider the Type The first step to choosing insurance is to figure out which type of insurance that you actually need. Travel insurance isn't the same as medical insurance, and car insurance will have different terms and prices than home and contents insurance. You'll need to do your research to determine which kind of policy is right for you.
2. Stick to Your Budget You'll have a certain amount of flexibility when it comes to monthly rates; depending on your insurance provider, you should be able to negotiate a higher or lower bill in conjunction with your deductible and policy type. There might also be measures that you can take to lower your liability rating as an individual policy holder. Regardless of how you work out your pricing, however, you'll want to make sure that you don't go over-budget.
3. Ask for Recommendations There are people in your life who have already grappled with the same insurance questions that you're asking yourself. Maybe it's a parent or grandparent with a life insurance policy; maybe it's a co-worker who has recently switched auto insurance providers. Don't be afraid to reach out to them and ask for their opinion.
4. Compare and Contrast Brands While there's nothing wrong with choosing a lesser-known insurance company, you'll want to do your homework about all brands, including the most famous ones. You won't be able to make a truly informed purchase decision unless you have all of the facts. Get a notebook; start jotting down names, rates and coverage types; make lists of pros and cons.
5. Look at Different Insurance Packages A good insurance company will offer multiple "packages" for the same kind of coverage. For example, a car insurance company might offer collision coverage in every one of their packages, but the only way to get a no-fault guarantee is to sign up for a premium package. You'll need to look carefully at terms and conditions before you make your final decision.
6. Test Their Customer Service Pretend that you're a customer of a particular insurance company. Is it easy to use their website? Do they offer things like online billing and online claim reporting? Is their customer service desk open 24/7, or will you need to wait for general business hours? The ideal insurance company will make it convenient for you to get in contact with them.
7. Read Reviews and Ratings Let's say that you've found a potential insurance company. What does the general public think about them? Do they have good reviews from third-party websites? Are there any complaints or scam alerts against them? Have they been vetted by the insurance industry as a whole? Don't put your assets into the hands of a company without a solid support system.
8. Talk to Insurance Agents At the end of the day, the best way to gauge the worth of a potential insurance company is to get on the phone with them. If their agents are rude, unprofessional, unskilled or lacking in general knowledge, you'll know that they aren't the right provider for you. On the flip side, if their agents are able to answer all of your questions and make you feel good about your decision to come to them, they might be worth the effort.
These are just a few tips for choosing insurance. Whether you're protecting your home or your health, it's important that you take your time and evaluate all of your options. Don't rush into anything. Make a decision that inspires confidence in the coverage that you've chosen.
