Online Insurance Shopping: Finding Health Insurance on the
Web
With more and more consumers turning to the Internet to locate
goods and services, it's no wonder that online health insurance
shopping is gaining popularity, too. If you're thinking about
shopping for health insurance online, you're not alone. And,
while shopping online can save you time and money, there are a
few factors to consider to ensure a positive shopping experience.
Knowing What You Need
Do you know what kind of health insurance plan you need? Do you
know what features or benefits you'd like to have in your
policy?
Knowing what you need before you begin shopping can save you a
lot of time. If you're not sure what kind of policy you need,
try contacting your state's
Division of Insurance (DOI).
The DOI exists to protect and educate consumers on insurance
matters; you can contact them by phone or visit them on the Web
to find the information you need about health insurance plans in
your area. Remember, the more you know, the more educated your
health insurance decisions will be!
Choosing a Reputable Company
When you open your Web browser and enter your search terms,
you'll undoubtedly get multiple options in return. But which of
these companies is right for you?
Weed out the good companies (and Web sites) from the bad and:
Get the Facts. You can investigate online insurance
companies and referral services by visiting the sites of
AM
Best and the
Better Business Bureau (BBB); obtaining
information about the company's financial standings and customer
service ratings will help you determine if consumers have had
good experiences in the past--and whether the company is doing
well enough to be there future.
Consumer hint: most BBB-approved companies will display the BBB
logo on their Web pages.
Verify Security Measures. With the increased usability of
the Internet also comes an increased risk for fraudulent
activities. While this scares many insurance shoppers from using
the Web, shopping within sites that are technologically secure
drastically reduces those risks.
If a company's Web site is secure, they'll most likely include a
clickable logo on their landing page, detailing the site's
security certification or "seal of approval". Still not
convinced? The company's security policy should be located
within the site; reputable companies will use the latest
technology to protect your information and will never give or
sell your email address for spamming or other marketing
purposes.
When it comes to Web site security, the bottom line is this: if
you don't like what you see, move on to another site!
Read Testimonials. What do other consumers have to say
about their experience with the company? Check out the site's
customer testimonials to see what other health insurance
shoppers liked about the service. Can't find any? Might be a
good indication that positive feedback has been scarce--in
general, companies display positive comments with pride!
Understanding the Process
Different companies will operate accordingly. One company might
give you one health insurance quote, while another might give
you five. Generally speaking, companies that provide multiple
quotes are more efficient for the consumer--rather than applying
for quotes on five different Web sites or calling five different
insurers, you can obtain multiple quotes quickly and find the
cheapest health insurance.
But, when it comes to obtaining health quotes online, it's all
about preference. If you'd prefer to obtain one quote at a time,
you will find company sites than can deliver exactly that.
Go with your Gut
When it comes to shopping for health insurance online, educating
yourself on insurance and researching potential insurers will
help you make the best purchasing decision possible. Get started
today by identifying what you need out of a health insurance
policy, and set your sights on finding it. And as always, shop
online with care by verifying the legitimacy and security of any
Web site before submitting your business!
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About InsureMe
InsureMe, an Englewood, Colorado-based company, links agents
nationwide with consumers shopping for insurance. Specializing
in auto, home, life, long-term care and
health insurance quotes, the
InsureMe network provides thousands of agents with
insurance leads every
year. For more information, visit
www.InsureMe.com.
About the author:
Megan L. Mahan is a copywriter and insurance expert based in
Denver, Colorado. She holds degrees in French and English from
the University of Iowa and lends her writing and editing
expertise in print media and Internet communications through her
informative articles.
