Insurance: What to Know

Learn more about car insurance.

It’s important to get familiar with how car insurance works before purchasing coverage. This process could include reading up on different insurance types — like liability-only and full coverage insurance — as well as the standard components of each policy, like deductibles.

Determine what coverages you need.

How much coverage you need varies depending on your location, assets and personal preferences. While the cost of car insurance may be your primary concern, make sure you have enough coverage to protect yourself financially.

Compare quotes from different providers.

Once you know what you’re looking for, compare quotes from several companies to find the best policy. Be sure to factor any available discounts into your final quote. Also, keep in mind that the most affordable provider varies from person to person depending on factors like your age, location and driving record.

Learn more about home insurance.

Familiarize yourself with the basics of home insurance to help you pick the best coverage for you and your family. Dwelling and hazard coverage takes care of the actual structure of your home, while personal property insurance covers your belongings.

Determine your dwelling and personal property coverage.

How much coverage you need depends on the value of your home and possessions. While the cost of home insurance may be your primary concern, it's best to purchase enough coverage to rebuild your home and replace your personal property if necessary.

Compare quotes.

Once you know what you’re looking for, compare quotes from different providers to find the best policy. Shopping online for home insurance can make this process quick and easy.

Evaluate your options.

The same health insurance options aren’t available to everyone. For example, while some individuals can get coverage through their employer, many others can’t. Some people have access to government-run health coverage through Medicare or Medicaid, while others have to find a plan on their state-run insurance Marketplace. Getting a sense of the coverage available to you is an important first step in finding a plan.

Determine the amount of coverage you’ll need.

The best health insurance for you will vary depending on your age, health care needs, budget and available coverage options. For example, while a Bronze plan may be one of the most affordable options on your state’s Marketplace, its high deductibles could mean gaps in coverage. If you foresee extensive health care costs in the next year, a Silver or Gold plan may save you money in the long run, even though their monthly premiums are higher.

Compare premiums to find the most affordable options.

If you’re limited to health insurance on your state’s Marketplace, it’s crucial that you compare your options to find the most affordable premium for you. Be sure to explore any possible cost-sharing reductions that may be available if you meet certain income thresholds; these can significantly reduce the cost of your health care coverage.

Learn more about life insurance.

Educating yourself about life insurance is critical in finding a policy that meets your needs. There are two primary forms of life insurance: term life and permanent life. While term life coverage only lasts for a specified period — typically 10, 15, 20 or 30 years — permanent life covers you for life. While the most common permanent life policy is whole life, many additional types of coverage are available. Exploring available life insurance riders can also help you meet specific coverage needs or fill in gaps in your policy.

Determine the best coverage for you.

Ask yourself — what do you need your life insurance policy to do for you? Do you need life insurance for a specific period to cover a mortgage, pay off debts or fund your child’s schooling? Are you looking for a policy that just has a death benefit, or are you interested in one with cash value that you could use to fund your retirement? How much coverage do you need? These are all crucial questions to ask yourself before buying a plan.

Compare policies.

Once you know what type of coverage you need, it’s crucial to compare life insurance policies from several companies to make sure you’re getting the best rate. Be sure to consider each company’s financial strength and customer service ratings, as this will give you an idea of what your experience with them will look like.