Life Insurance
Life insurance is a topic that many people would like to avoid, yet it could be one of the most important forms of insurance to have. Planning for life insurance is not always easy. You have to keep an eye out for scams, understand which insurance policies are right for you, and choose an insurance provider, among other things. This guide will help you cut through some of these obstacles, by using the Web to teach you about life insurance basics.
Expand All Guide SectionsWhat is life insurance?
Life insurance is a way for you to provide for your loved ones in the event of your death. There ... read more »
Choosing Life Insurance Coverage
There are no one-size-fits-all life insurance plans; each consumer has different needs, and each ... read more »
Find a Life Insurance Provider
So you know you want life insurance and you know what kind you want to buy—but who should you buy it from? These Web sites will help you decide which insurance provider offers coverage you need and has the services you require.
Dulcinea's Insight
- If you are looking for life insurance, most insurance providers have Web sites where you can research policies and even compare quotes. A simple search using your favorite search engine will yield the provider's Web site.
- If you already buy another kind of insurance (homeowner's, health, etc.) you may save money getting life insurance through the same provider. Take a look at the Web site of your current provider for more information.
- Checking an insurance company's credit rating can give you a good idea of how strong the company is perceived to be. A provider with low credit ratings may offer a less expensive policy, but also may not be successful enough to last until someone actually needs your insurance policy to be there. Try Moodys, Standard and Poor's and Fitch Ratings for life insurance provider credit ratings.
Dulcinea's Picks
For the basics ...
Kiplinger.com
's "Life Insurance Made Simple" has a section "How Do You Get the Best Policy at the Best Price?" with tips on what to ask your agent.
A.M. Best
has an insurance company finder that allows you to search for insurance companies in your area by financial strength ratings, or issuer credit ratings. You can narrow your search by selecting as many or as few options as you'd like (search only by state or country if you want a huge list of insurers). To view the ratings you will have to subscribe to the site (for free). To better understand the ratings, click on one of the menu options on the left toolbar (for example, "Ratings Definitions").
To report a complaint or an instance of insurance fraud ...
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners
has links to the "Consumer Information Source", where you can search for and file complaints against an insurance company, as well as a link to the "On-Line Fraud Reporting System" if you feel you have been a victim of fraud.
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
