Insurance: General Tips

General, the sources of information assurance include the American Council of Life Insurers, the Insurance Information Institute, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and your state insurance department.

When buying insurance:

* Check your state insurance department provides all information concerning insurance companies and rates. This is a good way to get a feeling of the price range and at the lowest cost providers in your area.
* Check multiple sources for a better deal. Try to get quotes from a website such as www.insweb.com, but be aware that many online services can provide prices for some companies. An independent insurance agent, who works with several insurers in your area might be able to give you a better deal.
* Check the financial stability and soundness of the insurance company. Ratings of A.M. Best, Standard & Poor's, Moody's Investors Services, and Weiss Ratings, Inc. are available online and at most public libraries.
* Research register a complaint from the company. Contact your service of the State of insurance or visit the Web site of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), which has a database of complaints filed with state regulators.
* Find out what other people think of the company in customer service. Consumers can rate owner insurance companies to www.jdpower.com / home / insuranceratings.
* When you pay your first premium, make sure you get a written policy. This tells you the agent sent your premiums to the insurance company. If you do not have a policy within 60 days, contact your agent and the insurance company.