Are you looking to purchase an insurance policy?
If so, you are probably a bit overwhelmed. With so many different policies out there, selecting the right plan can be very difficult.
To make matters worse, most insurance companies issue long, complicated policy descriptions. This means you might be able to find what you need, but only if you have time to sift through hundreds of pages.
No matter what kind of insurance you are looking for, we are here to help. Below, we have compiled the top 10 for finding the best insurance policy for you.
1. Choose a Type Of Insurance
There are many different types of insurance, and what you purchase will depend on what aspects of your life you need to be covered.
The types of insurance include auto, life, homeowner's, and health insurance.
Auto insurance will cover your car, life insurance will give your family money if you die, homeowner's insurance protects your property, and health insurance covers your healthcare.
Have a permanently stationary caravan? You'll need static caravan insurance.
2. Decide What You Want to Be Covered
This doesn't necessarily mean choosing between homeowner's insurance and auto insurance.
Instead, think about what incidents you are most likely to file claims for. For instance, do you have pre-existing medical conditions that require prescription medications? Do you need a robust car insurance policy because you drive all the time?
Keep a list of everything you need in an insurance policy. This is important because not every policy covers the same things.
If you have items that are a bit more negotiable, jot those down as well.
3. See If You Are Eligible for a Tax Credit
If you are applying for health insurance in the United States, you're likely balking at the price of premiums.
Fortunately, the Marketplace has taken this into consideration and allows people to apply for premium tax credits. These credits are available to lower-income individuals in the United States and can help soften the monthly cost of health insurance.
You can apply for the tax credit via the Marketplace and then select a plan.
4. Research Reliable Companies
Not all insurance companies are created equal.
In fact, some offer much better service and coverage than others. Since you won't really know how fantastic a company is until you need their services, it's important you do a little research.
You can start your research by typing the phrase "Best *type of insurance* in my area" into a search engine. Just make sure you replace "*type of insurance*" with whichever insurance category you are looking for (home, auto, health, etc.).
When in doubt, trust the companies you've heard of. While there are fantastic smaller insurance companies out there, the bigger ones got big for a reason; they are tried and true.
5. Fill Out Information
Now that you have everything in order, it's time to take a look at the plans and pick the best insurance policy.
Usually, in order to help you narrow it down, insurance company websites will ask you to provide some information on what you are looking for. If you have any type of health issue you'll want to disclose this to your agent ahead of time and before applying. Says Jason Peterson of Diabetes 365 "many people make the mistake of not speaking with an agent and disclosing all their health issues. This tends to lead to a consumer receiving a much higher priced policy than originally quoted. As an example, health and life insurance with diabetes will be more expensive compared to a person who doesn't have a chronic illness. When speaking with an agent, they can make sure they recommend the best possible policy given your health history."
Typically, they will want to know whose name the plan will be under. In the case of health and auto insurance, you will also have to provide the names of the people insured on your plan.
For health insurance, include any dependents, such as your partner and/or children. For auto insurance, include any licensed drivers in your family who will be operating your vehicle regularly.
6. Select the Best Insurance Policy
Once you're taken to page where you can review plans, look through each plan carefully. Check how it fits into your budget, and see if it covers all of your primary needs. If it doesn't, keep looking.
Another thing to keep in mind is your deductible. A deductible is what you will pay out of pocket before your insurance plan fully kicks in.
In some cases, you will still have some assistance from the insurance company. However, you will not reap the full benefits of your plan until you spend the amount listed on your deductible.
Unfortunately, lower premiums usually mean higher deductibles. Because of this, you might find it worth it to pay slightly more each month to avoid higher costs when you need to file a claim.
7. Pay Attention to Your Plan Type
Health insurance companies offer different types of plans. They are labeled Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, and they dictate how you and your company share costs.
You might also notice plans labeled PPO, HMO, POS, or EOS. If you want to be able to see any doctor, pay attention. Some plans, such as HMO plans, only allow you to see certain doctors and charge more for out-of-network visits.
8. Compare Maximum Out-Of-Pocket Costs
The maximum out-of-pocket cost on an insurance policy shows you just how much you will have to pay on your own before the insurance covers everything.
This is different from your deductible and will help you immensely if you end up with large bills.
9. Call Insurance Companies
Should you have questions about various plans, insurance agents will be happy to help you.
They are trained professionals hired by insurance companies to sell plans, and they will ask you about your needs. Then, they will assist you in finding the best plan.
10. Choosing Between Types of Life Insurance
If you're looking for life insurance, then you might be wondering about the difference between term life insurance and permanent life insurance.
Term life will be good for you if you only need life insurance for a set period of time.
Permanent life insurance covers you for your whole life.
Want to Know More About The Best Insurance Policy?
Now, you know the basics of choosing the best insurance policy.
If you want to learn more, we have a host of information on finding the right insurance. Read more about it today in our Insurance section.