If you’ve worked hard to save money for a house, have spent time sourcing the best mortgage lenders and have got the truck rental service booked for the big move, you’re probably itching to get the keys to your very first home. But there’s one more thing you need to think about before you get too comfortable – homeowners insurance. Yes, we realize that it isn’t the most exciting of purchases and no, you probably don’t want to think about spending yet more money, but given the expense of your new home, doesn’t it make sense to protect your investment? Here, we uncover everything you need to know about homeowners insurance, giving you the peace of mind you need to truly relax in your new surroundings. And when you're ready to buy some, we have a guide to the best homeowners insurance available today.

What is home insurance?

Put simply, homeowners insurance – otherwise known as home insurance – is an insurance policy designed to protect you from financial loss should anything happen to your property. “If an incident damages or devastates your home or personal belongings, homeowners insurance will compensate you,” explains Lyle D. Solomon, Attorney at Oak View Law Group. “It will also protect you if you injure someone else or cause asset damage in certain circumstances.”

He goes on to explain that there are three primary purposes to home insurance: to make repairs to your home, yard, and other structures; to repair or replace personal items; and to cover your liability if you are legally liable for someone else’s property damage or harm. Essentially, homeowners insurance is there to provide financial recourse should an unforeseen event cause damage to your property, its contents or a third party, which makes sourcing the right coverage a vital point on any new homeowner’s checklist. 

Is homeowners insurance mandatory? 

No, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a policy. Solomon explains: “Homeowner’s insurance is not legally required, but if you have a mortgage, your lender will require you to insure the property to safeguard its investment. Even if you don’t have a home loan, home insurance is always a good investment because it provides asset and liability coverage.”

Essentially, if you have a mortgage, you may not be able to avoid taking out home insurance, as having a policy will likely be a key part of your mortgage agreement. You may even be required to show proof of suitable coverage before your home loan is approved – you’ll usually need to have cover that equates to the full value of the property, thereby proving to the lender that in the event of fire or a similar disaster, they’d get their money back. You’d be expected to keep this insurance policy until the loan is repaid, though really, it makes sense to keep it even if you own your home outright – if you couldn’t afford to completely rebuild your home in the event of an insured disaster, seeking suitable coverage is a must. 

It’s recommended to choose the homeowners insurance policy yourself, because as Solomon points out, “your lender may purchase insurance on your behalf and charge you for the amount. However, the insurance policy obtained by the lender might be more costly and may provide less coverage than what you may get on your own.” For this reason it’s always best to do your own research and see what’s out there, but it’s important to know the types of policy available and the level of cover that you’ll need.

What does homeowners insurance cover? 

"Because there are so many perils that threaten a home, it is important for homeowners to understand which perils are covered under their policy and which may be excluded,” says Mark Kulda, Vice President of Public Affairs at the Insurance Federation of Minnesota. Luckily, he points out that "nearly all homeowners insurance policies cover damage from storms, fire, burglaries and other accidental causes,” but there’s a lot more to it than that. 

"While a regular homeowner’s policy might help protect your home, it usually covers more than just the physical structure,” adds Solomon. "A typical policy may cover everything from your personal items to the shed in your backyard, as well as medical fees if a guest gets hurt on your property.”

There are a few standard elements of homeowners insurance that most, if not all, policies will include. These are:

• Damage to the property itself, both the interior and exterior, often known as dwelling coverage. If your home is damaged by a covered peril, you’ll be compensated for the repair or even complete rebuild of your property. Related structures (such as a decking area) may also be included. 
• Other structures. Any freestanding structures (such as a shed or garage) will often be included, though in some cases they may need separate cover or additional riders. 
• Personal property. The loss or damage of any personal assets – including appliances, jewelry, clothing and furniture – will normally be included in the policy, up to a certain limit. You can often benefit from ‘off-premises’ coverage as well, which means you can make a claim if you lose personal possessions away from your home. However, it’s important to note the coverage limit, and if you own a lot of high-value items, you may need to pay extra to have them included in the policy, or could be required to insure them separately.  
• Personal liability cover (including medical expenses). Liability cover is there to provide financial recourse should you or a family member damage someone else’s property or injure them in any way, and they sue you for damages. This can be extended to include medical expenses cover for any guests , which will cover the medical bills of anyone injured while on your property.  
• Additional living expenses, for example if you need to stay in a hotel or rental while your home is being repaired. This can even include reimbursements for restaurant meals, though there will typically be limits (both daily and total) for the amount you can claim. 

Yet while certain features tend to be included as standard, it’s important to point out that insurance policies are designed to be customizable, so if standard coverage isn’t enough, you’ll normally be able to include optional extras – for a price (see the section on endorsements, below). 

What types of homeowners insurance are there? 

All homeowners insurance policies will typically include some variation of the above inclusions, but there are several different types of insurance available, along with distinct levels of coverage. 

The three basic levels of coverage are actual cash value (where depreciation is taken into account when calculating the value of your home and belongings), replacement cost (where you’re covered for the original value of your home and possessions), and guaranteed/extended replacement cost (where the policy will pay the full cost of repair or rebuild, even if it’s more than your policy limit). 

The third type of cover is the most comprehensive, offering a buffer against inflation and ensuring you’ll never have to pay for the cost of repairs, rebuild or replacement yourself (though there’ll still be a ceiling, but this can be as much as 25% above your agreed-upon policy limit). Actual cash value offers the least comprehensive protection, and means you’ll only be reimbursed according to how much your items are currently worth, rather than what you paid for them, which means you may need to spend more to replace them. 

Then there are the specific types of policy available, known as types HO-1 through to HO-8. "There are distinctive kinds of homeowners insurance, referred to as ‘policy forms’,” says Solomon. "Some types provide more comprehensive coverage than others, so it’s essential to understand the distinction.” 

HO-1 policies are the most basic option available, offering cover against losses caused by 10 named risks (fire or lightning; windstorm or hail; explosion; riots or civil commotion; aircraft; vehicles; smoke; vandalism or malicious mischief; theft; and volcanic eruption). If your home or possessions are damaged by something not on the list, you likely won’t be covered. Because of its limited coverage, most insurers don’t offer this kind of policy. 

HO-2 policies are a step up from the above, covering 16 named risks (the 10 already listed together with damage caused by falling objects; the weight of ice, snow or sleet; water overflow; damage caused by malfunctioning hot water heating system or similar; freezing; and damage from an artificially-generated electrical current). It offers a broader level of protection, but for many it still won’t be sufficient.  

HO-3 policies are the most popular form of homeowners insurance. They offer ‘open peril’ coverage for the structure of your home – which means the policy will pay for the repair or rebuild of your home if it’s damaged by any peril that isn’t specifically listed as an exclusion – as well as ‘named peril’ coverage for your personal property, which covers the same 16 perils as in HO-2 policies. 

HO-5 policies are similar to HO-3 policies, but offer broader coverage and are typically used for newer, high-value properties in low-risk locations. "HO-5 plans give the most comprehensive homeowners coverage, often known as ‘complete form’ or ‘premier’ coverage,” explains Solomon. "It covers damage to your home and assets caused by any factor except those excluded by the policy.” This makes it different to an HO-3 policy, where only your home’s structure has open peril coverage, not your possessions. HO-5 policies also typically offer replacement cover, rather than the actual cash value coverage that tends to be included in HO-3 policies.  

Alongside the above, there are HO-4 policies that are designed for renters, and HO-6 policies that are specifically for condo owners. HO-7 policies are for mobile homes, and HO-8 policies are designed to insure older properties, offering limited coverage on a named peril basis and only ever for actual cost, which means you’d be insured up to the current market value of your home. 

There’s a lot to take in with homeowners insurance, and the specifics of a policy can be tricky to navigate. "It is very important to read your policy and ask questions to your agent or the company if there is something you don’t understand,” says Kulda.

What isn’t covered by homeowners insurance? 

Home insurance may be designed to provide cover in a wide range of scenarios where your home and its contents could be damaged, but it naturally can’t cover every eventuality. "Even the most comprehensive homeowners insurance coverage will not cover everything that could go wrong,” says Solomon. "For example, you cannot purposefully damage your home and then expect your insurer to pay for it.”

But what are the most common exclusions? Well, "almost all policies have exclusions for damage due to flooding, earthquakes, acts of war, vermin and other items,” says Kulda. Often referred to as ‘acts of God’, natural disasters are often high on the list of exclusions, along with the potential consequences of those disasters (such as sewage and drain backup after a flood). Damage caused by a power outage is also typically excluded, as is damage from infestation, along with damage as a result of failure to maintain your property correctly (roof leaks that are caused by a lack of maintenance, for example). 

However, as Kulda points out, "some of these perils can be covered for an additional premium.” So, while it’s vital to be aware of things your insurer won’t pay out for so you don’t get any nasty surprises – which is why you should always read your policy documents thoroughly – it’s just as important to understand the range of optional extras available and how you can tailor your policy, ensuring you’ve got the level of cover that’s right for your particular circumstances. 

What are endorsements? 

Endorsements, otherwise known as riders, are "contractual modifications to the underlying contract (e.g. the homeowners insurance policy),” explains Evan Walker, Owner at The Law Office of Evan W. Walker. "They allow you to modify the homeowners policy and tailor it to your specific needs. Common endorsements include replacement cost coverage (i.e. your insurance company cannot deduct depreciation from your personal property) and earthquake coverage.”

Essentially, endorsements are additional features that may not be included in the original contract but can be added separately, usually at a premium. "For example, there is coverage available for flooding through a separate policy sold by the National Flood Insurance Program,” adds Kulda. "And, you can generally get an endorsement (or rider) for earthquake coverage from your insurer for an extra charge.”

How much coverage will I need? 

This will depend on a whole range of different factors, from the value of your home and personal belongings to your budget, and the level of comprehensiveness you’re looking for in a policy. Typically speaking, HO-3 policies will be the preferred level of cover for the majority and in most cases will be sufficient, though some may prefer the additional protection afforded by HO-5 policies. 

It’s important to consider your future budget, too. Opting for cover on an actual cost basis may be the cheapest option, but could you afford the additional cost of replacing your possessions or repairing your home if disaster struck? If not, it may be better to take a long-term view and opt for replacement or even extended cover.

As for specific values, it’s generally recommended to opt for dwelling coverage that’s equal to your home’s rebuild cost – don’t be tempted to simply cover your mortgage amount, as this won’t be sufficient to rebuild your home if you had to – while coverage for other structures will equate to around 10-20% of that, as will cover for alternative accommodation/living expenses. Personal property coverage will typically be 50-75% of your dwelling coverage limit, while personal liability cover will usually be between $100,000 and $500,000, and medical expenses cover will typically be $5,000 or below. However, as with all aspects of homeowners insurance, the detail of your policy (including the level of cover you’re getting) can always be tailored. 

What are deductibles?

A deductible is the amount of money you’d have to put towards an insured loss before your insurer pays the claim. The deductible is essentially subtracted – or ‘deducted’ – from your payment. Deductibles can either be a set dollar amount or a percentage value, and the rules regarding them can vary between states. 

It’s always wise to think carefully about the level of deductible you’re opting for. A higher deductible can often result in lower premiums, but it’s important to consider whether you could actually afford to pay that amount in the event of a claim. Bear in mind that deductibles can be different if you’ve got additional riders, such as earthquake or flood coverage, which can vary by state and insurance company.

What happens if I’m underinsured? 

It can sometimes be tempting to underestimate the expense of your home and its belongings in order to benefit from a cheaper policy, but this puts you at risk of huge financial loss should you need to make a claim. Yet according to Walker, it’s a common problem, with most homeowners underinsured. 

"Being underinsured means you won’t be fully compensated for a loss,” he explains. "Although your insurance company will pay you the insurance limits for your property, it will not be enough. For example, your insurance limits for your home are $250,000, and fire is covered under your insurance policy. A fire burns your house down. It will cost $350,000 to rebuild your house. Although your insurance company will pay you the limit of $250,000, you’ll still be $100,000 short.”

This highlights the importance of ensuring you’ve got adequate cover, as there’d be nothing worse than needing to make a claim only to find that you’re still left footing the bill.

How much does home owners insurance cost?

According to data from Quadrant Information Services, the average cost of homeowners insurance in the United States is $1,312 per year, or around $109 per month (based on $250,000 of dwelling cover). That said, this is just an average, and the amount you’re quoted will vary depending on your location – things like the cost of rebuilding and the likelihood of being hit with a natural disaster will have a key part to play – and the amount of cover you’re looking for.

Solomon points out that the cost of homeowners insurance can depend on several factors, including the age of your property, the cost of rebuilding it, the materials used in its construction, your location, your choice of coverage (including policy limits and deductibles), your individual claims history and that of your local area. Your credit score can have an impact in some states, too. 

You should also consider whether or not your home has any special features (such as pools and hot tubs) and the condition of your home’s roof, as well as things like the crime risk of your neighborhood and any fire or weather-related risks, all of which are dependent on your location. Quite simply, the cost of homeowners insurance is variable and can also vary between providers, but there are things you can do to bring the price down. 

How can I reduce my premiums? 

 "If your rate appears to be too expensive, there are simple ways to reduce your home’s insurance costs,” says Solomon. "Many insurers, for example, provide a discount for bundling your house and auto insurance. You may also qualify for a lower cost if you have typical safety features installed, such as burglar alarms and deadbolt locks.” You may want to take it one step further and opt for a complete home security system, which can give you peace of mind while potentially bringing your insurance quote down to size (though any insurance benefit will depend on the type of system and your policy provider, so always make sure to check).

How can I get the best deal on homeowners insurance? 

Solomon offers these tips for getting the best price on home insurance:

• Get quotes from different companies. 
• Increase your deductible. 
• Take precautions to protect your home from fire and theft. 
• Invest in a new roof and shutters (certain kinds of roofing materials can lead to lower premiums, and some providers offer discounts for storm shutters). 
• Be mindful of ‘attractive nuisances’, such as pools, trampolines, bike ramps and treehouses, which can be viewed as unsafe and pose a heightened potential for lawsuits. Avoiding them can potentially reduce your home insurance costs. 
• Investigate the cost of homeowners insurance before buying a new property. 
• Getting your home and auto insurance from the same provider can reduce your premiums by as much as 15%, but "be sure that the combined price is less than purchasing the various coverages from different organizations.” 
• Maintain a good credit rating. 

"It’s also a good idea to browse around and compare home insurance quotes to ensure you’re getting the best rate possible,” adds Solomon, which is where online tools can come in. 

Can I get a home insurance quote online? 

Yes, in fact most providers will have online tools that allow you to easily access reliable quotes to make comparing the options a breeze, and comparison sites can make it even simpler. You’ll typically be able to source several quotes by inputting a few personal details and specifying the kind of cover you’re looking for, and will be presented with the best options tailored to your precise needs. 

However, when searching for insurance quotes online, make sure to look beyond price alone – you’ll need to consider things like the financial health of the company, their claims response record, customer satisfaction, and whether there are any complaints lodged against them. Visiting the Department of Insurance website for your particular state would be a great first step, allowing you to check the ratings, credentials, creditworthiness and overall legitimacy of any potential insurance provider.

Can I arrange homeowners insurance myself? 

You can certainly arrange a suitable policy yourself, but it can often be wise to seek the experts. "Because your home is usually your largest and most important asset it is essential it be well covered, which is why it’s a very good idea to work with an agent who can ask about your priorities and go through all of the options available to make certain you have the right coverages in place,” explains Kulda. "Again it is very important to read the policy and ask questions about things you may not understand or need more information on. Often, homeowners may overlook items they own or things they want protected, and an agent can help guide policyholders to the best decisions.”

If you’re going down the agent route, you’ll want to make sure that it’s an independent agent who deals with multiple different companies and can therefore source a range of quotes, rather than a ‘captive’ agent who works for just one insurer. Make sure to factor in any additional fees that they may charge as well, as this can make a difference to your overall policy costs. 

However, if you’re going it alone, you’ll want to be even more confident that you’re sourcing the right deal, which means spending time to carefully compare the options. Our overview of the best homeowners insurance will be a great place to start, but to truly get an idea of which policy would be best-suited to your needs, it could be wise to head to a comparison site, such as homeinsurance.net, where you can easily compare a range of different quotes in one place. 

What if I’m looking to renew? 

If it’s time to renew your home insurance policy, the same rules apply – you need to make sure that you’re looking for the right level of coverage and compare prices accordingly, though it’s important to consider whether your needs have changed since you took out the original contract.

In particular, it’s essential to talk to your insurance agent or provider about the home’s value, says Kulda. "With prices soaring and with many homeowners doing projects to improve their homes recently, it might be time for a homeowner to ask for increased limits to protect the higher values and protect against being underinsured. Some insurers even offer the option of inflation protection for a small additional premium, which helps in cases where homes are rapidly increasing in value or if a storm causes widespread damage and the cost to rebuild spikes.”

You’ll want to review your policy regularly and make note of any changes that could potentially lower your premiums, too, such as if you’ve fixed the roof, taken down the trampoline, or even paid off your mortgage (insurers often take the view that if you own your home outright you’ll take better care of it, and can reduce your premiums accordingly). Take pictures and keep any relevant receipts as proof of any upgrades, and make sure to do a regular inventory of your possessions to ensure you’ve got the right level of cover there, too. And remember, loyalty can pay – while it’s often worthwhile comparing the market to see what else is out there, the simple act of staying with the same insurer could result in lower premiums over time. 

Making a home insurance claim

If your home is hit by disaster, it’s time to approach your insurer and make a claim. You can generally do this by phone, though some providers allow you to claim online. Either way, most insurers stipulate that they must be made aware of any incident within a certain timeframe, and ideally you’ll want to do this as soon as possible. Depending on the situation, you may need to file a police report too, which you should do before anything else (make sure to take the details of anyone you spoke to or who inspected your property, should you need it for the insurance claim). 

Different insurers will have slightly different procedures, but typically speaking, once you’ve filed the necessary reports and notified your insurance company, you’ll want to document the damage (such as by taking photos or video footage) and make an inventory of any possessions that have been damaged or stolen, together with their value. You can then make any emergency repairs that may be required, making sure to keep any receipts, and if your home is uninhabitable you’ll want to keep a record of any hotel bills, meals and related costs to be reimbursed. You’ll then be sent claims forms that you should fill in and return as soon as possible, and after that, it’s in the hands of the insurance company.

What happens when I file a claim? 

"After filing a home insurance claim, a claims adjuster will come to your home to assess the damage,” explains Solomon. "They may want evidence to back up your claims, such as photos, videos, or house inventory checklists.” If approved, the adjuster may provide you a check for the whole settlement (less your deductible) either in advance or at a later date to reimburse your costs; you may even receive an initial first payment to help cover immediate expenses (such as for emergency repairs or lodging if you needed to move out of your home), and further payments as work is completed.  

"Typically, you’ll receive different checks for each loss category, such as one for structural damage and another for personal property,” Solomon continues. "If your claim for personal property is approved, you will be paid the current cash worth of the assets, even if your policy covers actual replacement value. When this occurs, you will usually be paid for the difference in cost after purchasing new items and submitting your receipts to your provider. Discuss with your insurer if you must replace the products within a specified time range.”

If your property is mortgaged, the check for structural damage may be written out to both you and your lender, with mortgage companies typically requiring to be named on any homeowners insurance policy and be involved in any subsequent insurance payments. If your lender gets the check, contact them to find out how repair payments will be handled – they may require that all funds are held in escrow and paid to the contractor as the works progress, who will typically need to be approved by the lender.

"Contractors may want you to sign an agreement saying that the insurance company will pay them directly,” adds Solomon. "This could imply that you’re handing over your entire claim to the contractor. Do not sign anything until you are absolutely sure about what you are doing. If you have questions, contact your insurance company.”

Why might my claim be denied? 

Hopefully, once you’ve filed your claim and the adjustor has been round to inspect the damage, your claim will be approved and you’ll be offered a settlement and sent the money. But unfortunately, that may not always be the case, and in some instances you might get some kick-back and find that your claim is denied. Luckily this isn’t that common – if you’ve got a genuine claim and follow the procedure as set out by your insurance provider, you shouldn’t have a problem. But just in case, here are a few of the most common reasons that claims are denied: 

• Claiming for a peril that isn’t covered by the policy. 
• Insufficient documentation/evidence to prove damage.
• Filing too late. 
• Falling behind on premiums.  
• Not taking appropriate preventative measures following a loss. 
• Wear and tear/lack of proper maintenance. 
• Making a false claim.  
• Non-disclosure of facts when arranging a policy. 

And, if your claim isn’t denied but you’re not happy with the amount your insurance provider is offering, don’t be afraid to push back. You don’t have to accept what they offer and are perfectly within your rights to dispute a claim and ask for more. You may even want to hire a public insurance adjuster if your insurance company won’t budge, thereby getting a second opinion and hopefully a strong case for dispute. 

What happens after I’ve settled my claim? 

Once the dust has settled – perhaps literally – your thoughts may turn to what happens next, particularly in terms of your premiums. It’s often the case that a claim will result in higher premiums going forwards as your no-claims history will be lost, but it’s still important to make sure that you’ve got suitable protection, particularly as you now know how valuable it can be. 

"After your claim is processed, go over any gaps in your insurance coverage and make modifications to ensure you’re adequately protected in the future,” advises Solomon. "Filing a claim may affect your premiums based on your insurance company and claims history. When determining rates, insurers often consider losses linked with a home in the previous five years. If you file multiple claims during that time, insurers may consider your house to be ‘high risk.’

"If your insurance company raises your rates, ask about options to save money, such as bundling home and auto insurance or boosting your deductible. If you’re still dissatisfied, shop around for a better deal.”

In summary

Homeowners insurance may not be mandatory, but it’s nonetheless essential if you want to be confident that your property, and the contents held within it, is as protected as possible. Think of it as financial bubble wrap for your home. Of course, it’s something you hope you’ll never need to call upon – much as with all other kinds of insurance – but having this kind of safety net can be invaluable. 

And, if you spend the time considering your options, choosing the best kind of policy for your needs and scouring the market to uncover the best deals, it needn’t cost a fortune either, so there’s nothing to lose and potentially everything to gain. Start the process by reading our reviews of the best homeowners insurance and you’ll be one step closer to having the peace of mind you need.  

Cell phone insurance seems like a no-brainer. The sheer cost of handsets means that if yours suffered an unfortunate mishap, you could have to spend over $1,000 for a top-of-the-line replacement, which may not be easy to come by at the drop of a hat. The best smartphones are expensive items. But it isn’t always that simple, particularly when you factor deductibles into it, not to mention claims limits and refurbished models. So, is cell phone insurance worth it? Read on to find out.  

Why might I need cell phone insurance?

Cell phone insurance is there to offer financial protection should your phone be lost, stolen or damaged in any way, with any repairs or replacements paid for by the insurance provider. This means it’s particularly suited to those who have high-end models, and/or those who couldn’t afford to replace it; cell phone finance could of course be an option for replacement, as could personal loans, but if you’re already paying off a phone through your carrier, you may not want the additional expense. In this case, cell phone insurance becomes even more worthwhile. 

This kind of insurance is typically offered through your cell carrier when you take out a new contract. However, you may not have this option with prepaid cell phone plans as you’ll typically be expected to pay for the phone yourself, which means insurance likewise won’t be an option. Luckily, there are several standalone options available – and for some people, they could be more cost-effective, which means even those with a contract may want to look elsewhere before signing up for insurance through their carrier. 

Bear in mind that the precise details of any insurance package will vary according to the provider, so always check the small print to ensure you know exactly what you’re covered for – and as with all other forms of insurance, it’s generally the case that the higher the premiums, the greater the level of cover.

What are the downsides to cell phone insurance?

The cost involved is the most obvious downside. While some of the best cell phone providers offer insurance from as little as $7 a month, others charge far more, which can easily eat into your budget. Even the cheapest of insurance plans can add up, too: a $10/month policy will amount to $240 over a two-year contract, and you may never get to benefit from it. And if you do, you’ll need to pay some form of deductible – often around $100, but it can be a lot more for top-tier smartphones. If you need a replacement, you’re not guaranteed to get the same model or even a brand new one, with refurbished smartphones being commonplace. 

Not all insurance packages are created equal, either, and it can sometimes be difficult to narrow down the options, particularly when your time is limited. Indeed, some plans will only be available for a few weeks after you’ve bought your new phone or agreed your new contract, and it’s this that offers another potential downside, as feeling rushed into a financial decision rarely ends well.

Then there’s the fact that arbitrary claims limits can mean cell phone insurance doesn’t make a lot of sense for those who really need it. You’ll typically only be allowed to make two claims in any 12-month period, but if you’re particularly accident prone, this may not be enough and you could still end up losing out. 

You may even find that you’re already covered in some way – those who take out a new contract are typically offered extended warranties for the handset, which should be enough to cover you against malfunctions (though it won’t protect you against damage from other means). You might even have some protection afforded to you via your homeowners insurance, so make sure to check the details of your policy. 

Should you bother with cell phone insurance?

It depends. If you’re not particularly careful with your smartphone and have worked your way through a few models in recent years, it may be worth insuring it so you don’t have to cover the cost of a new one yet again. On the other hand, if you’re generally careful with your possessions and have never so much as cracked a screen, paying out for insurance may merit greater consideration to determine if it’s really worthwhile. 

Yet it often comes down to your finances, too. If you’d be able to comfortably afford a replacement phone if yours was lost, stolen or damaged beyond repair, insurance may not be worth it. Conversely, if your budget doesn’t allow for buying a new handset outright, it may be worth considering, if only for the peace of mind that insurance can bring. 

As with so many things, it’s a personal decision, but finding the right insurance package is key. Most cell phone providers will be able to offer different levels of cover depending on your budget, so always compare the options to make sure you’re getting a competitive deal. Pay particular attention to things like deductibles, as well as their policy on replacements, to ensure you’re getting the best value for money.

Remember that you don’t always have to get insurance through your cell phone provider, either, and in some cases, you may be better off looking elsewhere. Always do your research to see what’s out there, and you can be confident in getting the cover you need at a price that makes sense. 

With unemployment soaring in America, an estimated 25-43 million people could lose employer-sponsored health coverage. The numbers come from a recent think tank study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the Urban Institute, and looks at how the COVID-19 recession could affect coverage. 

Researchers estimated how a 20% unemployment rate or higher – predicted by experts to hit in the coming months – could result in 25-43 million Americans losing their employer-based health insurance. As of 2019, roughly 49% of Americans received health insurance through their employer.

The study also coincides with a new coronavirus survey by plan provider HealthInsurance, revealing how 68% of Americans don’t know their options if they were to lose coverage, leaving many to question what are the best health insurance companies to turn to in the event of enrolling in a new plan.

The RWJF and Urban Institute study also predicts that up to seven million Americans will be unlikely to find new health insurance coverage as the economy continues its downturn, and will therefore lack access to healthcare during the worst pandemic we’ve seen in over a century.

Key findings in the RWJF study include:

• An estimated 25-43 million Americans could lose employer-sponsored health coverage.
• Over half of the newly unemployed will obtain Medicaid coverage in states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, but only around one-third will receive Medicaid coverage in the 15 states that have not expanded Medicaid.
• Less than a quarter of these workers and their dependents in expansion states will become uninsured, with roughly 40% in non-expansion states becoming uninsured.

Greater clarity needed for health coverage options

The new coronavirus survey by HealthInsurance shows that 1 in 4 Americans know someone who has already lost health insurance due to pandemic, and that 68% of respondents are unsure of their options if they were to lose coverage. The survey is one of several run by the health plan provider to gauge opinion on a range of topics relating to COVID-19, including the impact of the virus on health and the economy. 

40% of respondents felt that the government should be responsible for ensuring people have health insurance coverage during a pandemic but, of course, the reality is very different. As the world still battles with COVID-19, the potential cost of associated health care costs has become a major source of anxiety for many Americans, especially for those who already entered the pandemic uninsured. 

Other highlights of the survey include:

Last week, due to the ongoing pandemic, the Internal Revenue Service made it easier for employees to make mid-year changes to their health insurance coverage for 2020. Such changes mid-way through the year aren’t normally allowed, but under the new guidance employers can allow workers to drop out of their health insurance if they have another option, or to switch plans, or sign up for a plan if they opted not to earlier in the year. Workers are also allowed to add more family members to their existing plan.

Employers aren’t required by law to offer these new options, so they have to opt in to give employees the added flexibility with health insurance coverage. For many workers who previously decided not to take out health insurance, becoming insured now could give them added peace of mind should they need to return to the workplace before a COVID-19 vaccine is in place.

How to get health insurance if you lose your job: COBRA

According to a report published by the Kaiser Family Foundation last week, over 31 million people filed for unemployment insurance between 1 March and 2 May. Actual job loss figures could be higher, due to the wide range of employment types and contracts, and the amount of people who have not yet filed for unemployment benefits. 

The report advises that some Americans who lose employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) can elect to continue it by taking COBRA coverage, mainly to ensure a continuity of care. Under this provision of federal benefits law, workers who lose or leave a job can remain on the same insurance policy for up to 18 months. Some states offer a six-month continuation thereafter too. Paying the full premium can be very expensive, and a real shock to those of who have previously had coverage subsidized by an employer.

If you have recently quit or lost your job, your employer has to notify your health insurer within 30 days of you leaving or being let go. The insurance company will then send you information about how to keep your health insurance plan, and you usually have around 60 days to accept or decline.

Depending on the level of unemployment benefits received, plus the $600 a week federal pandemic benefit under the CARES Act, a COBRA continuation could be an option for some as a temporary stop-gap, but the high premiums that often arise with COBRA precludes many from taking this option. That’s because after your employment ends, you pay for the entirety of the plan, plus a 2% admin fee. Some companies are continuing to pay their portion of health premiums for furloughed staff, so check your status before looking into COBRA.

Medicaid and CHIP coverage

If you have lost your ESI, you may become eligible for Medicaid or subsidized health coverage via the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Medicaid is a program that provides health coverage for low-income families and children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities. 

In some states, Medicaid is available for all adults who earn under a certain income threshold, but you’ll need to check with your specific state. To check your eligibility, select your state from the drop-down menu on the Medicaid website and apply. If you qualify, coverage begins immediately. If you need assistance with ongoing prescription drugs costs, take a look at our guide to the best Medicare Part D plans.

Even if you were told you didn’t qualify for Medicaid in the past, you may qualify now under the new rules. The current advice is to fill out an application in the Health Insurance Marketplace, where you’ll be told which programs you and your family qualify for, including Medicaid and/or CHIP. 

Plans through Health Insurance Marketplace 

If COBRA proves too expensive, head to HealthCare.Gov to check your state’s Health Insurance Marketplace options. You can pick health plans in accordance with ACA, also known as Obamacare. Typically, this is only available during open enrollment in the fall, but if you were getting health coverage at work and are now without it because of job loss, that results in a Special Enrollment Period where you can get on a plan now or change your existing plan for the rest of the year.

The national average premium for a silver level, or benchmark, marketplace plan in 2020 is $462, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation when analyzing average benchmark premiums. However, that figure doesn’t include Obamacare subsidies, which approximately 87% of Americans are eligible to receive. Head to HeathCare.gov to see how much you could save on health insurance, or use an Obamacare subsidy calculator. Marketplace plans go into effect the first day of the month after your job ends.

Looking for more insurance content? Also take a look at our guide to the best vision insurance companies, and the best dental insurance plans for individuals and families

There are a lot of different factors that go into caring for your health, but certainly two of the largest are healthy eating and choosing one of the best health insurance providers. In a new scheme, fresh produce subscription service FarmBoxRX has combined these two essentials to bring free fruit and vegetables to those enrolled in Vibra Health Plan’s Advantage Medicare plan, a Medicare part C plan which also covers Medicare part D prescription drug costs. 

This is the first time an insurance company has offered fresh produce boxes to its members, and Pennsylvania-based Vibra Health Plan is providing this service completely free-of-charge in partnership with FarmBoxRX. The owner of FarmBox, Ashley Tyrner, says this move could be pivotal in re-shaping our understanding of and relationship with our food. 

“Food is medicine,” says Tyrner. Elderly medicare patients with illnesses related to diet and lifestyle often find healthy produce inaccessible. The partnership between a fresh food subscription service and insurance provider could help change this, in turn reversing the effects of chronic illness and improving overall health of those benefiting from the scheme. 

“Many seniors rely on fixed incomes, which impacts the affordability of fresh produce and healthy eating patterns”

“Most often, elderly patients come home to empty kitchens and return to the hospital malnourished. This project will impact members with diet-related illnesses by positively improving their nutrition and health outcomes with free boxes of life-saving produce.”

Playing the long game

The partnership with Vibra Health Plan could see long-term payoffs for both elderly medicare patients and the insurance company itself. Speaking to The Packer, Ashley Tyrner said “the average that a healthcare provider spends on a diabetic patient a month is $4,000.

“Shipping patients fruits and vegetables to potentially lower health insurance claims by more than half makes sense.

“Insurance companies are doing this to lower claims costs and our government is actually starting to pay attention.”

This could be a crucial intervention into the cycle of poor health and malnourishment, but for the meantime it's only available to patients living in Pennsylvania, where Vibra Health Plan is based. Time will tell if this sets a trend for insurance companies to follow nationwide.

There’s nothing more important than caring for your health, but this can be overwhelming. We’ve covered the everyday essentials which help manage illness and general health, from the best medical alert systems to the best glucose meters.

Most of us don’t like talking about life insurance too much, because when we talk about life insurance we inevitably have to talk about death. Life insurance covers the financial needs of those left behind after we’ve gone.

But just because we don’t like talking about it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t. It’s generally recognised that most American households should have life insurance cover, even if many don’t.

In fact, one recent study found that that while 80% of Americans say that most people need life insurance, only 68% say they personally need it and only 59% own some form of it. 

In addition, a study by employee benefits provider Unum found that 40% of the 1,000 adults it surveyed in the United States said they don’t have or don’t know if they have a life insurance policy to financially protect their loved ones.

While some of us don’t have any life insurance cover at all, others are critically underinsured, meaning the amount paid to our loved ones in the event of our deaths won’t be enough to cover their expenses or perhaps even pay off all of our debts. 

Life insurance industry group LIMRA has calculated that nearly half of U.S. households are underinsured, with an average coverage gap of $200,000. The group recommends individuals have between seven and ten times their salary in life insurance cover.

Why are so many of us so casual about a subject that is so important? The Unum study draws the obvious conclusion. Around 35% of respondents said thinking about what would happen to their family should they die unexpectedly was a top cause of anxiety; only going to the dentist rated higher. When we are uncomfortable with something, we often ignore it.

We really shouldn’t. Here are two good reasons to think seriously about life insurance.

Think of your dependents

None of us like thinking about life carrying on without us, but if you have anyone who depends on you financially you have to, no ifs or buts. For those of us with a spouse of dependent children, taking out life insurance is pretty much a no brainer. If you’re not convinced, think about what the lives of your loved ones would be like without your financial support. 

Who doesn’t need life insurance? If you can honestly say that nobody would suffer financially after you’ve passed away, you don’t need life insurance.

Life insurance provides peace of mind for both the policy holder and those who would benefit from the policy should the holder pass away. It can be a great psychological comfort, and if the worst were to happen it would mean grieving family would have one less thing to worry about at their most difficult time. With a good policy, they would know that funeral expenses, mortgage payments and lost income are all covered. Remember, funeral costs alone can top $11,000 on average.

So how much life insurance should you get?

This will depend to a large extent on your life and personal situation. A rule of thumb many financial advisors use is to buy enough cover so that your family can live off the interest, thus guaranteeing an income for as long as they need it. You will probably want to add in debts and mortgage payments, and ensure that any payout can cover those as well, along with a sum to pay for your children’s college fees.

Of course, it also depends on what you can afford. It’s worth noting here that term life plans - policies that cover you for a specified number of years - are considerably cheaper than whole life plans that cover you for the span of your life. If you can’t afford the latter, the former is still a very good idea. In fact, even if you can afford whole life insurance, term life may well be a better option. Simply be prepared to buy another policy when a term life plan runs out.

Whole life is useful for a different reason though. It is often marketed as an investment, because it has a cash value and with many policies you can draw out of it or borrow against the amount when you are still alive. However, don’t choose a policy solely on this: there are generally more lucrative ways for most people to invest money.

When should you get life insurance?

You don’t need to take out life insurance when you’re young and healthy, right? 

Actually, you should, if only because premiums are a lot cheaper in your 30s than in your 40s and 50s. People in their 40s can expect a rate increase of 5-8% for every year they wait to get insurance. People in their 50s can expect to see a 12% increase every year. The sooner you get life insurance, the better. 

You probably can afford life insurance

Despite that, you probably can afford life insurance, whatever your age. It might be term life rather than whole life, but you might be surprised at how affordable it is. While it’s true that taking debts, mortgage payments, lost income and children’s education fees into account ends up in a very big number, premiums can still be entirely manageable. In fact, industry group LIMRA reckons that 80% of people overestimate the cost of term life insurance. Millennials, in particular, overestimate the cost by a whopping 213%.

Find out what it doesn't cover

A final consideration before you buy life insurance is what it doesn’t cover. Not every provider will be crystal clear about this, so always ask. Common reasons for not paying out on a policy are death by suicide or death from dangerous activities. The latter can include riding a motorbike, so if you’re a biker make sure you get the cover you need. 

So now you know all you need to about life insurance, head over to our buyer’s guide {{LINK}} and provider reviews {{LINK}} for an in depth view of who is offering what... 

• Best dental insurance
• Best health insurance
• Best vision care insurance

United Healthcare is the parent company that bought Golden Rule in 2003 and now uses it as an underwriter. It's one of the few providers in our guide to the best dental insurance that offers as many as four different dental insurance plans, making it a good choice for those who need coverage variety and access to a wide pool of dentists.

The company has over 65 years of experience and an A+ rating from Standard & Poor's, meaning you don't need to worry about ongoing coverage support from this Fortune 500 company. But does that mean it's right for you? Let's take a look at what is on offer... 

United Healthcare Golden Rule Dental Insurance review: Overview

Go to the official website and you'll be able to browse the United Healthcare Golden Rule plan options to find the best for you where it's possible to check pricing there and then. You can also apply for your chosen plan online, making the process very straightforward. 

Expect most preventative care to be covered for free, with lots more beyond that covered too. The only thing you may find lacking is endodontics, so if that's what you need coverage for, this might not be the right dental insurer for you. We'd recommend taking a look at our explainer to what dental insurance covers. For everything else read on as you can find out everything you need to know about United Healthcare Golden Rule dental insurance. 

• In-network savings up to 85 percent
• Over 85,000 dental offices

United Healthcare Golden Rule dental insurance uses a decent website to give you quotes quickly and easily on the plan for you. This, it claims, can take as little as 30 seconds and that seems close to fair. Input a few details like location, name and age and you can get started finding the best plan for you, with clear pricing given to you upfront so you know what to budget for.

There are both in-network and non-network options with the former having the broader range of plans. Age is another factor with plans tailored to suit the needs of the individual. Older people, for example, enjoy specific cover for things like dentures while children can have cover for orthodontia. 

United Healthcare Golden Rule Dental Insurance review: What's covered?

• Orthodontics covered
• Exams, x-rays and cleanings

Cover varies between plans but at a basic level you can expect to get most preventative care for free, especially when on the higher end plans. That means no waiting period and no deductible to worry about either. 

To put that in perspective, all plans net you two annual dental exams and routine cleanings. You also get a bitewing x-ray once a year and a full mouth x-ray every 36 months. For older customers, expect a complete set of dentures every 60 months and one crown or bridge per tooth every 60 months.

In order to look after your teeth as much as possible between trips to the dentist, make sure you're cleaning your twice properly for two minutes twice a day with one of the best electric toothbrushes. If you're dealing with staining, take a look at our guide to the best teeth whiteners for home use.

United Healthcare Golden Rule Dental Insurance review: Cost and plans

• Prices start at around $21 and go to about $192
• Four payment plans available

If you're wondering how much does dental insurance cost, this varies wildly by provider. With United Healthcare Golden Rule the cost of care varies tremendously as the plans have so many options. That means you might be eligible for as little as around $21 per month payment or you may want to go all the way up to $192. 

Realistically, for most people, pricing is going to range from $35 to $55 per month. At the minimum the annual max benefit tops out at $1,000 while at the top end that reaches $2,000. Alternative providers to check out include Delta Dental and Guardian Direct.

The plans quite clearly show the variations between each one making it relatively simple to pick the best one to suit your needs. The four options break down like this:

• Dental Saver: Only pay a copay for in-network, non-network it's as billed.
• Dental Plus: In-network copay after deductible, non-network it's as billed.
• Dental Basic: Preventative services are 100 percent covered.
• Dental Deluxe: Payments of up to $2,000 per person per year.

United Healthcare Golden Rule Dental Insurance review: User reviews

• ConsumerAffairs rating of just under three stars
• BBB rating of A+ for parent company

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives the parent company of United Healthcare a rating of A+. Look at the feedback and there is only one dental specific complaint and that's not even about the insurance plan itself.

ConsumerAffairs aggregates user reviews and has an overall rating of just under three stars out of five for the company. Positives include great knowledge and care given by staff and appreciated free cleanings and decent copays. Negatives seems to focus on not being sent as much money as expected to cover charges.

Should you choose United Healthcare Golden Rule Dental Insurance?

United Healthcare Golden Rule Insurance offers possibly the broadest range of plan options out there. The website lays these all out with clear pricing, what's covered and an ability to get signed up very quickly.

All plans cover basics for preventative care making it a potentially affordable option. For older customers or families there are great options for dentures and orthodontics. For those looking to go outside the network of dentists this is an option too with plans tailored to that - ideal for those that move around a lot.

Customers appear to appreciate the services of the company but there were a few complaints about incorrect payouts. Everything appears to be clear on the website so be sure you know what you need before signing up.

If you want further alternatives, take a look at our MetLife review for family coverage, or Humana for six different plans. 

Humana is one of the largest insurance providers in America, covering all 50 states and offering solid financial backing. The Humana Dental Insurance is one of our top choices for the best dental insurance overall, and has an A or better rating from Fitch, A.M. Best, Moody's and Standard & Poor.

There are six plans available in total, each offering a broad range of options that can be tweaked easily online via the Humana website or app. The PPO and DHMO plans include no deductibles for ease of mind, allowing for better budgeting. Humana, one of the Best health insurance companies, also offers a dental plan for veterans, giving them even greater savings. 

Humana Dental Insurance review: Overview

• In-network savings up to 45 percent
• Over 270,000 dental offices

Humana dental insurance is available individually or through a healthcare program via your employer. There is a selection on in-network dentists to give you the best possible savings but you can also use out of network options if that's easier for you. And it should be easy as you don't need a referral from your primary care dentist.

A Complete Dental plan is a nice option for those that just want to know that everything they could need is covered. But there is plenty more to pick from if that's not for you. Read on to find out what you need to know about Humana dental insurance. 

Humana dental has one of the largest networks of dentists available in the US with a staggering 270,000 options across the states. What this means is that you could make a saving by using an in-network dentist but without having to travel far. Some specific treatments may require a specialist dentist.

This is where Humana does well since it has so many options, even for unique treatments you may be able to stay with an in-network dentist for the most affordable option, without going far.

Humana Dental Insurance review: Cost

• Prices start at around $20
• Six payment plans available

Pricing will vary by state but you can expect most to start at around the $20 mark for decent coverage. But, again, it all depends on the plan options that you go for and if you want to use things like a family saving. Or for veterans there are savings to be had for a specific plan there.

If you want to combine your dental and vision insurance you can also make savings so that's worth thinking about if and when you sign-up. You can see how this stacks up generally in our feature on how much does dental insurance cost?

Humana Dental Insurance review: What's covered?

• No wait preventative
• Exams, x-rays and cleanings

Preventative services, like exams, x-rays and cleanings, from Humana are offered with no waiting period at all. By comparison some of the other more major services can have a six month waiting list. Major dental work includes root canals, crowns and dentures.

Basic service covered include fillings, extractions and emergency care. Each plan covers different levels of care with varying prices. You can see how these procedures and other services stack up against the average in our feature on what does dental insurance cover?

As with any health issue, prevention is better than cure, so make sure you are brushing your teeth twice a day with the best electric toothbrush. To maintain your smile at home, consider using one of the best teeth whiteners. 

Humana Dental Insurance review: Plans

• PPO, DHMO and Savings Plus
• Six options

When it comes to learning how to find dental insurance online, Humana is one of the top providers. That's because there's lots to pick from, meaning there should be something that suits your needs perfectly. 

To be clear on what follows, "Basic procedures" refers to things like fillings, extractions and x-rays. "Major services" are root canals, crown and dentures.

The available plans are:

• Dental Loyalty Plus: In and out network dentists, one time deductible of $150.
• Dental Value Plan: This HMO plan covers 100 percent of preventative services with a $0 deductible. Copays are needed for in-network basic and major procedures.
• Dental Preventative Plus: Both in and out of network dentists apply with a $50 deductible. X-rays and cleanings are totally covered with no copay. All preventative care is covered with no waiting periods although for basic procedures and oral surgery it's a six month wait.
• Dental Savings Plus: Discounts for using in-network dentists, as such this is not an insurance plan. That means no waiting periods, a quote for services and a one-time $15 enrollment fee.
• Complete Dental: No waiting periods and affordable deductibles. Preventive services are free after deductible, basic services are 80 percent covered after deductible and major services are 50 percent covered, you guessed it, after deductible. 
• Preventative Plus for Veterans: Applies to any dentist in or out of network, with annual $50 deductible. No waiting period for preventive care and a six-month wait for the others. Routine cleaning and x-rays are covered totally.

Humana Dental Insurance review: User reviews

• ConsumerAffairs rating of just 1.5
• BBB rating of A+

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives Humana an impressive A+ rating. But since this is accredited that rating is the usual one to expect from BBB. Customer complaints on the site are at 398 with an average 3.71 out of five stars based on 45 customer reviews.

ConsumerAffairs gives a score of 1.5 stars out of five based on 150 customer reviews. Positives include great customer care and assistance while negatives are about lack of statewide coverage and denials of care.

For highly rated providers, read our Guardian Direct Dental Insurance review, and our MetLife Dental insurance review. The latter is a good choice for family coverage.

Should I buy Humana Dental Insurance?

Humana dental insurance offers a great range of plans with six in total, one specifically helping out veterans with a good deal. That means money saving both for in-network and out of network dentists, but with a network of over 270,000 dental offices you'll be likely to find one near you. 

We'd also recommend looking at our Physicians Mutual review and Delta Dental review for other providers with large networks.

Humana offers PPO, DHMO and discount plans so there should be something for everyone. The company itself is well rated by BBB although there are complaint reviews out there too. But for nationwide coverage, decent prices and a wide range of options this is a real contender.

Guardian Direct Dental comes from parent company Guardian Life Insurance, which is one of the largest mutual insurers in the country having been founded in New York way back in 1860. An A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau makes this a very secure bet to invest your money into, and one of our top picks for the best dental insurance.

As with the company's health insurance options, the dental coverage is wide with lots of plans that are available near nationwide. There are both individual and family coverage options with useful features like regular exams, x-rays, cleanings and more covered.

Guardian Direct Dental Insurance review: Overview

• In-network savings of 35 percent
• Copay options

Plans are tailored from state to state so Guardian offers a useful tool on its website that allows you to search by area and requirement. Then you can find a dentist near you that's in-network covered so you get care within your plan. There are over 100,000 dentists across the country. For another insurer with access to a large network of dentists, so read our Delta Dental Insurance review.

Guardian offers both Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) plans. That means you can pay monthly and get a discount, for the former, or go for a copay plan so you're covered totally in the case of the later.

Guardian Direct offers both PPO and DHMO options. In the case of PPO you pick an in-network dentist, or enter your zip code to find one near you, then book your appointment. When it comes to paying you'll have a discount applied of up to 35 percent. Guardian pays a percentage of the charge then you pay the remainder. A big advantage here is that you won't need to submit any claims forms as the dentist does all this on your behalf.

This is your guide to everything you need to know about Guardian Direct dental insurance.

Guardian Direct Dental Insurance review: Cost

• Prices start at $16 and go to $60 for PPO
• Three payment plans available

Pricing for Guardian Direct dental insurance varies not only by plan and personal details but also by state location. But you can expect the most reasonable end of the pricing scale to start at $16 and the top end to hit $60 for PPO. The three most popular plans do vary by state but an average guide is:

• Advantage Gold PPO: $33.99 per month for a single person. Good for those wanting maximum coverage.
• Advantage Silver PPO: $22.46 per month for a single person. Good for those expecting the need for dental work beyond the occasional filling.
• Advantage Bronze PPO: $16.85 per month for a single person. Good for people only needing cleanings and the occasional filling.

There is a $50 deductible and waiting periods in the case of major dental work, like root canals, of 12 months or less. On basics like x-rays, cleaning and exams there is no waiting period. 

For the DHMO option you will have an agreed copay amount on top of your monthly premium. When you visit an in-network dentist Guardian pays the difference between the total cost and your copay. There can be a small office fee too but this is usually limited to under $18. 

Again, there are no claims forms to submit and, in this case, you'll know exactly what you're going to need to pay before you visit the dentist. There are no deductibles or waiting periods to worry about. 

Guardian Direct Dental Insurance review: What's covered?

• Exams, x-rays and cleaning as standard
• Root canals, crowns and surgery classed as major

Guardian Direct dental insurance breaks down its areas of coverage into three sections so you know what to look for when seeking your plan. These are preventative, basic and major services, which break down like this:

• Preventative: most routine dental services like oral exams, cleanings and x-rays.
• Basic: more complex services like fillings and simple extractions.
• Major: this is for complex dental services like oral surgery, crowns and implants.

To look after your teeth between dental check-ups, brush your twice teeth daily for two minutes at a time. The best electric toothbrushes have built-in timers to help with this. To maintain your smile, you may want to use one of the best teeth whiteners for at-home brightening. 

Guardian Direct Dental Insurance review: Plans

• Bronze, silver or gold options
• Gold ideal for children orthodontia and major use

The plans offered by Guardian Direct dental insurance are split into three tiers to fit the three levels of care mentioned above. These fall into bronze, silver and gold.  While you'll pay more for the premium cover, this will have greater amounts reserved for more expensive dental work, so this will work out better in the long run if you're planning to get lots of work done. 

If you're just looking for day to day care then bronze could be for you. If you're likely to have a few bits of work done, but nothing too major, then go silver. We'd also recommend United Healthcare Golden Rule Dental Insurance for a provider with plenty of coverage options.

The three plans have these benefits:

• Bronze: covers preventative services entirely, 50 percent of basic service with a max six month waiting period but does not cover implants or child orthodontia.
• Silver: offers the above plus 50 percent with a max 12 month waiting period for major services and implants to the value of $700.
• Gold: as above plus that 50 percent with a 12 month max waiting period for child orthodontia with a lifetime limit of $1,000 and an implant lifetime max of $1,000.

Guardian Direct Dental Insurance review: User reviews

• BBB rating of A+
• A.M. Best rating of A++

The Better Business Bureau has Guardian Life Insurance, the parent company, as an accredited member and as such rates the company as A+. While this does mean financial stability, as does the A.M. Best rating of A++, customer ratings are not so high in some cases.

The BBB has an average from 32 reviews leaving just over one star. But since this is beyond dental, for the parent insurance company, it's not that accurate. 

ConsumerAdvocate gives an impressive rating of 4.8 out of 5 and that's specifically for the dental arm of the business. However if you read the comments below on that article it's filled with complaints about claim issues and erroneous cancelled cover.

Should you buy Guardian Direct Dental Insurance?

The dental insurance services offered by Guardian Direct are comprehensive with a dual option to go with the monthly paid PPO cover or the copay featuring DHMO package. Both feature a large network of over 100,000 dentists that allow you to enjoy up to 35 percent savings on dental work.

Direct payments through your dentist mean you don't need to worry about paperwork. The website offers a handy search allowing you to find a local in-network dentist to you easily.

User reviews are few but the BBB rating of the parent company is high and ConsumerAdvocate rates the service highly. However actual customer comments are critical with little good to say about the service - but since good service is rarely commented on, this isn't totally damning. With many states covered this is a service worth looking into. 

Delta Dental started out more than 50 years ago when a group of dentists and employers teamed up, growing from covering three states to all 50, plus Puerto Rico and US territories. It's now the best dental insurance company in the country with the biggest network of dentists - over 140,000 - that serve 78 million people.

Thanks to Delta Dental's huge size, there are a broad range of plan options that should leave something for everyone. The six options span individuals, families and employer options. This is your guide to everything you need to know about Delta Dental insurance.

Delta Dental Insurance review: Overview

• In-network savings over 20 percent
• Over 140,000 dentist network

Delta Dental, as one of the largest dental insurance providers, offers one of the broadest ranges of coverage. That's not just in terms of geographical nationwide coverage but also with the number of areas within each state. Thanks to over 140,000 dentists in the network it's likely most people will be able to find a dentist near to them. Physicians Mutual also has a huge network.

The value for family plans is excellent, with real savings to be made here. This is especially the case for preventative care like exams, cleanings and bitewing x-rays. There is also coverage for out of network dentists so you can use your own - but you may pay more for the privilege. 

Another key feature is that procedures have a maximum price set that you pay, rather than reimbursing a percentage as some insurers do.

Delta Dental's website offers a host of useful information from access to a wellness site to Grin! e-magazine and more to keep you informed on how best to care for your dental health - potentially saving you money.

Online claims management and a useful app make this an easy to use system. The Preferred Provider Plan (PPO) offers discounts of over 20 percent when using an in-network dentist. But there are also lots of copay Dental HMO options too.

Delta Dental Insurance review: Cost

• Prices start at around $17 and go to about $170
• Six payment plans available

Giving a strict price for Delta Dental is near impossible as not only are there six plans to pick from but also these vary by state. But a rough guide gives you a range from around $17 all the way up to about $170 per month. Of course this also varies widely depending on if you're going for a PPO or DHMO plan.

The average saving offered across a selection of plans is around 45 percent, making this one of the best priced large dental insurers out there. This value is even greater for family plans. For generous in-network savings, read our review of Guardian Direct Dental Insurance.

All dentists in the network agree to the Delta terms of fees so you can expect a set rate, meaning no surprises. Since compensation is clearly laid out you can easily budget for your needs ahead of time, surprises notwithstanding. To see how this compares to the average, read our feature how much much does dental insurance cost. 

Delta Dental Insurance review: What's covered?

• Full mouth x-rays every two years on most plans
• Customizable policies

Delta Dental offers six payment plan options but most of these include preventative care, like exams, cleaning and two mouth x-rays per year as standard. Rates vary by state but the plans are also customizable meaning the rates can vary even more widely to suit your needs.

Depending on the plan you go for you could have everything covered even including major surgery. There are upper limits for plans though so be sure to check you're getting enough coverage based on what you're paying each month. For further information on coverage, take a look at our guide on what dental insurance covers.

To maintain the health of your teeth as much as possible between visits to your dentist, brush them twice daily with the best electric toothbrush, or brighten your smile with the best teeth whiteners. 

 Delta Dental Insurance review: Plans

• PPO and DHMO options
• Employer specific benefits

Delta Dental offers six plans in total that cross the PPO and DHMO options as well as appealing to individuals, families and employers. These break down like this:

• Delta Dental PPO: Individual access to the discounted network rates. This also has low out-of-pocket costs.
• Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier: Like the Delta Dental PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) but with discounted rates for out-of-network dentists.
• Delta Dental Premier: This is an indemnity plan. Individuals only pay copays and deductibles for services received.
• DeltaCare USA: Delta Dental’s HMO which focuses primarily on preventive services.
• Delta Dental Patient Direct: Patients choose a dentist from the Delta Dental network and pay the dentist their pre-negotiated, discounted fee. 
• Delta Dental Individual and Family: Delta Dental offers the same group plans (generally only available to employers) to individuals and families.

Delta Dental Insurance review: User reviews

• ConsumerAffairs rating of 3
• BestCompany rating of 4.1

The Better Business Bureau is not affiliated with Delta Dental so the rating is not worth looking at (BBB always seems to give an F if someone isn't a member). But the customer disputes are worth noting as of the 92 in the last three years, 31 of those have been resolved in the last 12 months. These included issues with billings and collections and products or services but there were no complaints for guarantee issues.

ConsumerAffairs has a decent rating of three out of five which averages 383 reviews. When you consider people usually only comment when they're upset, this positive number is impressive. Positives include service, pricing and coverage while negatives were about fees being raised every two years and pricing being confusing. 

BestCompany has a user review rating of 4.1 out of five stars based on 83 reviews. With negatives about the lack of availability for all services in all states. Positives include plan variety and optional vision coverage availability. 

Humana is also highly rated for customer service, so we'd also recommend reading out Humana Dental Insurance review.

Should you buy Delta Dental Insurance?

The Delta Dental insurance service is the nation's largest, spanning all 50 states. It also offers one of the widest varieties of plan options with six in total. Options for both PPO and DHMO are available and these span individual, family and employers selections.

The online platform and resources are excellent with great app support for easy customization of plans. The inclusion of free x-rays every two years is a unique offering that could represent big savings for some people. 

Customer reviews are largely good with plenty of praise for service, pricing and variety but the fact the options aren't the same in all states doesn't please everyone.

This could save you money while offering great security and flexibility for your dental care. Well worth a closer look.

Established in 1965, Security National Life might still be considered a relative upstart among some of the best final expense insurance companies. However, it is a final expense provider that has achieved much in its time, including becoming the first funeral insurance company to offer an app for your phone. 

The overarching Security National business also offers life insurance and mortgage loans, as well as funeral services that are a natural extension of those offered by most final expense insurers. 

Security National Life review: What you need to know

Security National Life's final expense insurance policy differs from most in that it can be purchased up to the ripe old age of 90. 

There are three plan options, all of which are whole of life policies, meaning they won't expire and the premium you pay will not change. There are three plans available, with the one that you qualify for ultimately depending on your health - beware that it may prove the case that you're not eligible for any of the plans. That said, there are no medical examinations - everything is determined by your answers to a specially designed health questionnaire. 

Security National Life review: Plan options

The cheapest option is the preferred plan, which comes with immediate protection, as does the second cheapest - the standard plan. Costing more, and the option which has a two-year waiting period too, is the graded plan. 

Essentially, the preferred plan is available to you if you have none of the conditions you are questioned about on the application. The standard plan is then available if you have none of the most serious conditions in question, but are diabetic. 

The graded plan is therefore the plan that is available if you have certain more serious ailments within the past couple of years - however, tick three of the boxes, and it's unlikely that Security National Life will be willing to take you on at all.  

Security National Life review: Finer details

Applicants between the ages of 40 and 85 are allowed to apply for the graded plan, with the upper limit rising to 90 for the immediately in-force plans. 

The minimum cover across all plans is $2,500, with the maximum then dependent on your age at application and the plan type - the older you are, the smaller the cover that you will be entitled to take out. The preferred plan allows up to $35,000, while the maximum on the standard and graded policies is $25,000. 

Security National Life review: Service

Security National Life prefers to conduct its business online, which should definitely be considered when taking into account whether to choose this policy. The process is straightforward for those who are proficient computer and internet users, but is likely to deter those who are less comfortable online. A phone number is available when loved ones need to make a claim. 

The website itself might benefit from a greater array of supportive information and more insight into the plans on offer. It also comes across as fairly business like, and is quite heavily devoted to attracting new sales agents, which can be rather confusing if all you want to do is take out a final expense insurance policy.

Should you use Security National Life final expense insurance?

Security National Life might be a good option if you're of advancing years and searching for final expense insurance to take the financial burden away from your loved ones on your passing. That said, the online application process - and the prevalence of sales agent recruitment on the website - makes for a relatively impersonal experience in what is essentially a very personal matter. 

As a well-known nationwide provider of insurance, State Farm seems well-placed to make its mark among the best final expense insurance providers. Established in 1922, State Farm has around a century's worth of experience on which to fall back on. It can also draw on the knowledge accumulated by offering a wide range of other financial services, including mortgages, check and savings accounts, and credit cards. 

State Farm review: What is on offer 

State Farm's final expense insurance cover is set steadfastly at $10,000 - if you want anything more or less, you'll need to look elsewhere. Upon the policyholder's death, the money is sent to the named beneficiary, who are free to use it to cover burial and funeral expenses, or for other purposes as well. 

As well as a guarantee that premiums won't rise during the life of the policyholder, there is also the option to pay premiums either by the month or on an annual basis. Another benefit of this policy is that it acquires tax-free cash value as the premiums are paid, and the dividends can be used at any time while the policyholder is still alive, including to reduce future premiums, or be taken as a cash payment. 

That said, there are some facets to the policy to be aware of. Firstly, the cash dividends are not a guarantee, and any gains that the policy is capable of earning may be subject to taxation. Additional taxes may also be a consideration, depending on the age at which the buyer applies for coverage. 

While final expense insurance from State Farm is what is called a whole life policy, in this instance, the cover ceases at age 100 and the policy expires. Applications are also limited to those between the ages of 50 and 80, or a maximum age of 75 if you reside in New York.

Should you choose State Farm final expense insurance? 

The final expense insurance offered by State Farm offers flexibility in that your loved ones can use the money they receive once you're gone in any way they see fit and there is the promise that premiums won't rise either. However, beyond this, the proposition appears somewhat lacking, particularly given there is just one fixed amount of cover on offer and the age restrictions to consider. 

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance: What you need to know 

Northwestern Mutual has been providing life insurance since the middle of the century before last, so it certainly has experience in the sector. As the name suggests, Northwestern is a mutual company, meaning it doesn’t have shareholders. Instead, policyholders become part of the company, and may even benefit from an annual dividend if the company is performing well.

It generally does. The company expects to pay $5.6 billion in dividends in 2019. Northwestern is highly regarded by its customers. It boasts 4.5 million clients across the country, 96% of whom have stayed with the company for several years. For customers looking for life insurance, an even more important statistic is Northwestern’s financial strength rating: the company has been given top marks for financial strength from all major credit agencies.

Northwestern Mutual: Features 

• Comprehensive basic policies 
• Decent additional services 
• Highest financial strength score 

Northwestern offers everything most life insurance buyers would need. It sells two types of universal life insurance, a single payment policy and one that allows you to adjust features and price as your circumstances change. Other options include term life insurance - insurance for a specified length of time or to a certain age - and whole life insurance, which covers you for the entire span of your life and, at the same time, allows you to build cash value that can be used for (for example) helping to pay for a child’s college education or supplementing your retirement income. 

It also offers a number of special insurance options, like disability insurance for individuals and specifically for doctors and dentists.

Northwestern Mutual also offers a suite of other financial services, from retirement planning to college savings plans. It is a comprehensive service and customers clearly appreciate being able to talk to Northwestern representatives about a range of financial issues, and receive relevant advice. 

Northwestern’s financial strength is exemplary. It has a rating of A++ from A.M. Best, which is considered ‘superior’ and is the highest possible score. Financial strength is important, because it is effectively a measure of how easily insurance providers can pay claims. Remember, a life insurance claim might not be made for years or decades after a policy is purchased, so financial strength is also a good indication - though of course no guarantee - that the business will be able to play out many years in the future.

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Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance: Interface and usability 

• Excellent information hub 
• Well designed website 

Northwestern’s website is clean and well designed, allowing you to find a financial advisor or make a claim from the homepage. 

The website also operates as an information hub, offering a large number of articles and how-to pieces on your financial life, from getting married to moving back in with your parents. The hub is far more than an exercise in selling Northwestern products, and is a useful resource in its own right. We particularly liked the detailed section explaining how to make the most of your first conversation with a financial advisor. 

The company offers a useful mobile app, though better financial apps exist. 

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance: Quality of product 

• Top of the JP Power customer satisfaction ranking 
• Fewer complaints than the average 

There are plenty of people who would tell you that Northwestern Mutual offers the best life insurance on the market - at least in terms of major nationwide providers - and its customer satisfaction scores would seem to bear them out.

In the annual JD Power survey of the 23 largest life insurance providers in the country, Northwestern received a score of 810 (out of 1,000), putting it at the top of the table. The U.S. Life Insurance Study measures overall customer satisfaction based on performance in six factors: application and orientation; communications; interaction; product offerings; price; and statements. Northwestern achieved the maximum five stars in three categories plus overall satisfaction, and four stars in the remaining three categories. In the language of JD Power, Northwestern is either ‘better than most’ or ‘among the best’.

Another way to judge life insurance companies is by calculating the number of complaints that have been received about them by state regulators. Luckily, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners measures just such a metric. At last count Northwestern attracted significantly fewer than the median number of complaints.

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance: Verdict 

Northwestern Mutual does everything well, and some things very well. We were impressed with its policy options, information hub and the care it takes to make sure customers are well served. It is top of the JD Power survey customer satisfaction survey in 2019, but that isn’t a one-off. Northwestern was runner up in 2018.

In other words, if you’re shopping for life insurance, Northwestern should almost certainly be one of the quotes you collect. It shouldn’t be the only one, because it might not have the very best policy for your particular circumstances. But with excellent financial strength and a large number of evangelical customers, it should always be a contender.

That’s even more true in light of its mutual status, which means eligible customers will receive a share of annual dividends when the company does well. Put it all together and Northwestern Mutual is an easy provider to recommend. 

New York Life: What you need to know

New York Life is another mutual insurance company, meaning it pays out dividends to eligible policyholders when the business is performing well. It is also the oldest mutual life insurance company in the US. It certainly has an old-time feel about it, with a fairly basic website by 2019 standards that gives would-be customers plenty of encouragement to get on the phone and speak to the company direct. It won’t give you a quote online, and nor does New York Life offer a raft of other banking and financial services. That will be reassuring for some customers who want a specialist in the field, and frustrating for others who want a one-stop shop for their financial needs. It does offer annuities and long-term care insurance.

New York Life: Features 

• Innovative term and whole life policies
• Not all require medical information

New York Life is something of a life insurance specialist, and it shows in a list of products that is not the longest in the sector but has clearly been well considered.

New York Life offers term life policies of 10 and 20 years, and the premium stays the same throughout. You can convert either policy to whole life insurance in the first ten years, though the price will change. Interestingly, New York Life also offers a yearly convertible term life product that can be renewed each year with guaranteed annual price increases for 10 years. This policy is available even if you don’t want to provide medical information. 

Whole life options include flexible payment options, allowing you to pay off the coverage early (before you retire, for example) and an option that covers two people on one policy.

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New York Life: Interface and usability 

• Clear, concise but basic website 
• Good agent network

You wouldn’t call New York Life’s website comprehensive. This is a spartan resource that offers basic information and points you in the direction of an agent. There are some basic articles on life insurance and life stage planning, a little on the business and its products, and not that much else. Still, it’s all well laid out and it’s easy to get to where you need to go.

Despite this basic website, in the JD Power life insurance survey New York Life scored four out of five for ‘interaction’. So between its local agents and financial advisors, its call centre and its website, the organisation is obviously dealing with customer queries and requests relatively well.

New York Life:  Quality of product 

• Good but not great customer satisfaction 
• Very strong financials
• Few complaints

We like New York Life’s innovative life insurance products and so, on the whole, do its customers. The company scored four out of five stars for overall customer satisfaction in the most recent JD Power life insurance survey and achieved the same score for product offerings. Customers are generally happy with the variety of coverage options this provider offers and how closely they meet their needs.

In fact, New York Life placed seventh out of 23 providers ranked by JD Power, a decent result. It did especially well in ‘price’ and ‘application and orientation’ categories which, along with overall customer satisfaction and ‘product offerings’ achieved four out of five stars. It did less well in ‘statements’, ‘communication’ and ‘interaction’, awarded three stars in each. Three stars is considered “about average” by JD Power. 

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, New York Life attracts fewer than the median number of complaints to state regulators. It is also very financially strong, attracting a ‘superior’ A++ rating from A.M. Best, the highest possible. The financial strength of an insurance company shows its ability to meet financial obligations and pay claims. In this regard, New York Life is up with the best in the sector.

New York Life: Verdict 

New York Life is a long-established provider with a good range of policies and decent customer satisfaction scores.

It is particularly strong on innovative term life policies and its financial strength cannot be argued with. It offers other financial products but it has a keen focus on life insurance and feels like something of a specialist provider. 

Customers may just have to accept that New York Life is not an organisation at the technological cutting edge. Its website is quite basic and you can’t get an online quote for any life insurance product. It doesn’t have a mobile app, though it is not the only life insurance company to overlook a feature which would only be minimally useful anyway.

That aside, New York Life is clearly a reliable option with a history that suggests many customers stick with it for the long term. 

 Guardian Life: What you need to know 

“Everyone deserves a Guardian,” says Guardian Life, and the company has been providing life insurance for more than 150 years. Guardian is a mutual company, so if you buy a policy you effectively become an owner, and eligible customers can share in an annual dividend if the business has done well enough that year.

It’s reassuring to know that Guardian has paid a dividend every year since the 1860s. This year it will pay $978 million to its policyholders.

Guardian is one of the largest mutual insurance companies in the country, boasting some serious financial strength. That’s important because it reflects an insurance provider’s ability to cover its financial responsibilities. There are no worries with Guardian in this regard.

 Guardian Life: Features 

• A wide range of life and health insurance products
• Good choice of cash value plans

Guardian offers a full menu of personal insurance products, from dental, vision and accident insurance to hospital indemnity insurance. It is something of a one stop shop for personal insurance. It also offers wealth management and annuities, and solutions for business.

As far as life insurance goes, the company offers term life plans of 10, 15, 20 or 30 years, which are an affordable way to provide life insurance protection for a limited period of time. 

Guardian also offers whole, universal and variable universal life insurance. Its survivorship policy means you can insure two people on one policy. Policyholders can add more coverage in the early years of the policy. The company also offers policies to people living with HIV. 

If you’re looking to accumulate cash value, Guardian is worth a look. It offers eight different cash value options, more than many other providers. 

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 Guardian Life: Interface and usability 

• Very well designed website 
• Simple quote tool

 The first thing you notice about Guardian Life’s website is that it is not like all the others. There are no smiling family stock shots here. Its cartoony illustrations are a breath of fresh air, immediately singling Guardian Life out as a different and innovative provider. 

The advice section is a little different too, with snippets of information and advice interspersed with illustrative video case studies. This is a simple and effective structure, though the advice is not especially comprehensive. Guardian Life has advice on avoiding gum disease, for instance, but you’d be far better getting that sort of information elsewhere. It is stronger on information related to insurance and its own policies.

You can purchase a range of health insurance options online, but life insurance has to be bought through a company advisor. However, you can get an estimated quote for life insurance on the website. It is a very simple tool with just four inputs so the monthly premium you receive is likely to be a best guess more than anything, but it will at least give you a rough idea of the kind of monthly cost you are likely to have to pay.

Guardian Life: Quality of product

• Decent - and improving - customer satisfaction scores
• Very strong financials 

Guardian Life ranked 7th out of 24 providers in the most recent JD Power customer satisfaction survey. This is a decent placing, but just as importantly it represents improvement. Guardian ranked 12 in 2018, so the company has leapt five places in 12 months. 

Its overall satisfaction score is a good four out of five stars, which in JD Power’s terms puts it in the ‘better than most’ category. It scores particularly highly for ‘interaction’ and ‘application and orientation’, with four stars for both. This means its products are relatively easy to apply for and get to know, and that interactions with the company (through advisor, website or call centre) are usually positive. 

Guardian life does less well in other categories like ‘price’ and ‘product offerings’ but never scores below three stars. It can’t match Northwestern Mutual or State Farm in JD Power terms, but it’s a pretty good result.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners calculates that Guardian Life attracts fewer complaints to state regulators than the median for the industry. Its A++ rating from A.M. Best is the highest possible rating for financial strength.

Guardian Life: Verdict

Guardian Life is a large mutual provider with a wide range of personal insurance products. It offers all the life insurance options most of us could wish for, and is particularly strong when it comes to products that let you accumulate cash value. 

It also boasts one of the best websites in the sector, at least in terms of how it looks and how easy it is to use. You can also buy some products online and get online life insurance quotes, which isn’t the case with all providers.

Guardian’s JD Power scores aren’t the best, but are reasonably good. Encouragingly, it is on an upward trajectory when it comes to customer satisfaction, leaping five places since 2018. Overall, if it offers a product that suits your needs you are unlikely to go too far wrong with Guardian Life. 

Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance: What you need to know

Mutual of Omaha is a well established Nebraska-based business, with a history stretching back more than a century. 

As well as sponsoring animal shows, Mutual of Omaha also offers a range of well regarded life insurance products and a number of other financial services. It is a mutual company, which means it is owned by policy holders who may receive a dividend payment if the company is doing well. 

Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance: Features

• Whole life policies available without medical exam
• Children's whole life insurance available

Mutual of Omaha’s standout feature is that many of its policies are available without a medical exam. This isn’t unique, but it is unusual. If you’re between 45 and 85 you can buy $2,000 to $25,000 worth of coverage online, without any medical questions at all. These policies largely cover funeral expenses and other end of life costs. You can buy $40,000 of coverage through an agent. The application for this policy asks a number of health questions but doesn’t necessitate a medical exam. 

As with other providers, Mutual of Omaha also offers term life insurance, in this case with terms of 10, 15, 20 and 30 years. These are bought through an agent. It offers four types of universal life policies, and also offers a children’s whole life insurance product.

The company offers a range of complementary services, from critical injury cover to investment, banking and mortgage services. 

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Mutual of Omaha: Interface and usability

• Easy-to-use website
• A number of useful tools

 Mutual of Omaha’s website is clear, concise and very easy to use. Its life insurance calculator is simple and intuitive, and everything is explained in plain and easy-to-understand English. You can contact the company, sign into your account and find an agent from the homepage.

The company’s ‘planning and advice’ section is well done, if not as comprehensive as some. It contains useful articles on a range of subjects, from tackling your finances to living a healthier life. There are also a number of useful calculators, helping you make sense of retirement savings and so on. 

Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance: Quality of product

•  Very good customer satisfaction scores 
•  Financially strong, if not the strongest 
•  Fewer complaints than the average 

Mutual of Omaha scored a very good 785 (out of a possible 1,000) in the latest JD Power life insurance survey, putting it in third place in the rankings. It performed well across the board, with four out of five stars for ‘product offerings’ ‘interaction’ and ‘overall customer satisfaction’, and five out of five for ‘price’, ‘statements’, ‘communication’ and ‘application and orientation’, These are very good grades which put Mutual of Omaha just below the top two in this year’s table.

Potential customers will also be reassured to know that Mutual of Omaha is financially strong, gaining an A+ rating from A.M. Best. This is considered “superior” and denotes a healthy financial position, even if it is not quite up with the A++ awarded to State Farm and others. Nevertheless, it means Mutual of Omaha shouldn’t have a problem meeting its financial responsibilities either now or in the future, assuming its circumstances don’t change dramatically.

Finally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners calculates that Mutual of Omaha attracts fewer complaints to state regulators than the median for the industry. It is not quite as good in this regard as Northwestern Mutual, but it seems few Mutual of Omaha customers have reason to make serious complaints about its service or coverage.

Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance: Verdict

 Mutual of Omaha offers a range of good life insurance products with the added advantage that many do not require a medical exam to buy. Coverage isn’t comprehensive without an exam, ranging between $2000 and $40,000, but you wouldn’t expect it to be. Coverage with a medical exam will be an attractive feature for many potential customers.

Other than that, Mutual of Omaha scores well in terms of customer satisfaction and the number of complaints received about it, and though it is not the strongest provider on the market in terms of finances, an A+ rating is still reassuringly high. 

We also liked the company’s simple, jargon-free website, and good, well-made calculators. All in all, Mutual of Omaha is a great choice and may be especially attractive to customers new to the complexities of life insurance. 

John Hancock Life Insurance: What you need to know

John Hancock is the US arm of Manulife Financial Corp, a financial services company based in Canada. Everything about the business has a modern feel, and its life insurance products are popular with millennials. 

It is certainly innovative. John Hancock is the only major provider we’ve come across to reward policy holders who commit to healthy lifestyles. It also offers coverage for people aged 30 to 65 living with HIV. 

In addition, John Hancock’s website is packed with features, letting you get a quote and manage your account online. It all seems to add up to a market-leading proposition, and yet the company’s customer satisfaction scores don’t reflect that promise. Let’s look into John Hancock in more detail.

John Hancock Life Insurance: Features 

•  Innovative Vitality program 
•  Good basic policies 
•  Coverage for those living with HIV 

There’s no denying that John Hancock has an excellent range of features. Term life plans of 10, 15 and 20 years are available, along with several universal life options which include benefits like customized premium payment options, tax-deferred cash accumulation and a lifetime death benefit.

So far, so good. John Hancock does what most other providers do. But its Vitality wellbeing scheme stands on its own. There are two Vitality options. Vitality Go, which comes free with your policy, offers fitness and nutrition information and rewards healthy activities like exercise with discounts to Amazon.com and outdoor retailer REI. It also offers between 20% and 40% off wearable fitness devices from the likes of Fitbit and Garmin.

Vitality Plus, meanwhile, costs $2 a month but can lead to discounts of up to 15% on annual life insurance premiums if you exercise and go for regular health checkups. There’s a free Fitbit for tracking exercise and wide range of discounts and rewards. 

The company says that these programs amount to “life insurance that saves you money and rewards you for healthy living,” and it is hard to argue with that. The company’s other standout feature is its coverage for people living with HIV. 

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John Hancock Life Insurance: Interface and usability 

• Very well designed website, packed with information 
• Useful tools

John Hancock’s website is one of the best we’ve come across, offering huge amounts of information in a well structured design that is easy to navigate. 

It’s packed with advice on finances but also on so much more, featuring everything from health and wellbeing tips to advice on planning for different life stages. It is one of the most comprehensive resource sections of any that we have reviewed. 

The site is also practical, offering a wide range of tools, calculators and quizzes. You can get a free quote online by filling in a simple form. 

John Hancock Life Insurance: Quality of product 

•  Average customer satisfaction scores 
•  Fewer customer complaints than the average 
•  Solid financials 

It’s clear that John Hancock does some things very well. It offers unique products and an online presence that is as good as anything in the sector. Its Vitality scheme is, quite simply, a very good idea.

At the same time, John Hancock only places 17th out of 24 in the JD Power life insurance rankings, with an overall customer satisfaction score of two out of five stars. In JD Power terms, that means “the rest”, or below average. Despite the Vitality program and other innovations, it only scores three stars (“about average”) for product offerings, and achieves the same score in most other categories. John Hancock appears to have the ideas and the technology - now it needs to focus on customer service, communication and support.

Nor is this year’s score a one-off. John Hancock has actually dropped three places since 2018, when it was 14th.  

But there’s better news from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which calculates that John Hancock attracts fewer complaints to state regulators than the median for the industry. It also has a superior A+ rating from A.M. Best, which is not the highest rating for financial strength but isn’t far off. It means John Hancock shouldn’t have a problem meeting its financial responsibilities either now or in the future, assuming its circumstances don’t change dramatically.

John Hancock Life Insurance: Verdict

What to make of John Hancock? It has the ideas, the technology and a clear view of what modern life insurance customers are looking for. We were impressed by its Vitality program and other innovations, and found its website to be packed with useful tools and advice.

But its customer satisfaction scores are average at best, and 2019 is not a one-off. The company needs to focus on supporting its customers, and put time, money and effort into making sure they have a smooth and satisfying experience when applying for policies, contacting the call centre or making a claim. If John Hancock does that, it could be one of the top providers in the country. As it is, it is still worth considering for those who like the idea of being rewarded for following a healthy lifestyle.   

State Farm Life Insurance: What you need to know

State Farm is one of the big players in US insurance. As well as providing life insurance, it is the biggest auto insurer in the country and also insures just short of a fifth of all the nation’s home owners. Size isn’t everything, of course, but it does have relevance in the insurance market. State Farm’s financial strength is rated at A++, which means it is never going to have trouble fulfilling its obligations to customers.

Size is also good when it comes to geographical coverage. State Farm operates a huge network of agents - 18,000 or more at last count -  so you’re more likely to be able to find an agent in your locality.

And of course, size denotes popularity. State Farm is doing something right. The company’s overall customer satisfaction rating in the latest annual JD Power life insurance survey is almost as high as award winner Northwestern Mutual.

State Farm Life Insurance: Features

• Universal, whole life and term life available 
• Early payment options 
• Very strong financials 

State Farm offers the standard life insurance policies that most people need. Its whole life insurance protects your family’s future while building cash value that is tax-deferred, and premiums remain level for the life of the policy. Universal life offers flexible premium payments and death benefits. Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific time frame.

A nice feature is State Farm’s “Limited Pay Life Plans” for 10, 15 or 20 years, which let you pay completely for your life insurance premium in the term you choose, meaning you have nothing to pay during retirement. 

State Farm coverage amounts start at $100,000, with $50,000 of life insurance available for people ages 16 to 45, lasting until age 50 or 10 years after the policy is issued. When it comes to whole life insurance, State Farm offers more policy discounts than many other insurers.

State Farm has a rating of A++ from A.M. Best, which is considered ‘superior’ and is the highest possible score. Financial strength is important, because it is effectively a measure of how easily insurance providers can pay claims, both now and - most likely - in the future. 

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State Farm Life Insurance: Interface and usability 

• Very good quote tool 
• Nice life stage planner 
• Website can be a bit confusing 

State Farm insures everything - lives, homes, cars, businesses - and also offers banking services. As such, its website can be a little confusing to navigate. However, we did like its ‘life stage’ planner, which indicates what insurance policies and financial services you might need for different stages of your life, from young carefree adults to parents, retirees and so on.

It also features a very good life insurance calculator. Put in a few basic details and it will estimate how much life insurance you need to make sure your loved ones are protected. 

State Farm offers a reasonable resources section, giving you basic and ‘beyond the basics’ life insurance information, but it is geared towards State Farm products and isn’t a comprehensive general resource like Northwestern Mutual’s information hub. 

State Farm also offers a user-friendly mobile app - available for both Apple and Android - which lets you manage your policy on the go. 

State Farm Life Insurance: Quality of product 

• Second in the latest JP Power customer satisfaction ranking 
• Fewer complaints than the average 

State Farm knows the insurance landscape like nobody else. It is a generalist rather than a specialist, so its products tend to be focused on the mainstream rather than specialist requirements. But what it does it does well.

With life Insurance, that is best demonstrated by its all-but table topping JD Power survey rating of 808 out of 1,000, which is just two points below the score achieved by award-winner Northwestern Mutual. These two have been duking it out for top spot for a number of years. In 2018 State Farm took the top prize. 

In 2019, State Farm took top marks (five out of five) in the ‘product offerings’, ‘interaction’, ‘communication’ and ‘overall satisfaction’ categories. It achieved four out of five in ‘price’ and ‘statements’. It was given a less impressive, though still above average, three out of five stars for ‘application and orientation’, which includes factors like the ease of the application process and the reasonableness of requests for documentation. This is one area that State Farm might aim to do better in.

State Farm occasionally attracts complaints, but this is inevitable given its size. Nevertheless, it attracts significantly fewer complaints than the median number directed to state regulators, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

State Farm Life Insurance: Verdict 

 State Farm is a very big provider offering big provider benefits, like a huge network of agents and excellent financial strength. Its life insurance policies are similar to those offered by other mainstream providers, but its early payment options are an attractive addition.

Aside from that, State Farm life insurance is well liked by customers and attracts only a small number of complaints, relative to the company’s size and coverage. We think its website could be a little more comprehensive, but its quote tool was among the best we’ve seen and and its stage of life planner was a useful touch. Add that financial might and it’s clear that State Farm is worthy of anyone’s consideration.  

Pacific Life: What you need to know 

Like many US life insurance providers, Pacific Life was founded in the middle of the 19th century, when life - if not insurance - was considerably cheaper than it is today. Founded in California, the business is now a large nationwide provider with a wide network of agents. Pacific Life offers one of the widest selections of universal life and variable universal life policies we’ve come across, designed to suit a wide range of circumstances.

The business does reasonably in JD Power customer satisfaction rankings, and attracts very few complaints to state regulators. The business donated $7 million last year to charities and community projects.

Pacific Life: Features 

• Good selection of policies
• A policy that pays for long-term care if required 

Pacific Life offers annuities and mutual funds in addition to life insurance, but it is no jack-of-all-trades financial services company. Its specialism in life insurance is demonstrated by the long list of options on offer.

It provides term life policies of 10, 15, 20 and 30 years, which are split into two types. Pacific Life’s level-premium product keeps premiums the same for the life of the policy. Its annual renewable option means you renew every year and the price rises when you do.

In terms of universal life policies, Pacific Life offers a variable universal policy, allowing you to adjust your policy’s investment allocations to meet your own growth objectives and risk tolerances. Meanwhile, indexed universal life insurance “offers the growth potential of index-based interest crediting rates and the protection of guaranteed minimum interest crediting floors.” Its survivorship policies mean a couple can be insured on the same policy.

We liked Pacific Life’s life insurance with long-term care benefits. This allows the policy to be used for long-term care, with the death benefit reduced as a result. 

• Best life insurance
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• How to choose a health insurance policy

Pacific Life: Interface and usability 

• Good website 
• Plenty of useful tools and calculators 
• No quotes through website 

Pacific Life’s website, as is the norm, is packed with pictures of smiling couples and families in various life stages. That’s pretty standard stuff for the sector, but the site is clean, uncluttered and easy to use. There’s also a nice ‘insights’ section offering solid advice on everything from estate planning to retirement savings tips. It’s not the most comprehensive we’ve come across, though, and you’ll soon exhaust the advice on offer.

There is a very good tools and calculators section, ranging from the standard - how much life insurance do I need? - to the more obscure - how much will inflation reduce my disposable income? We played around in this section for a while and found plenty of food for thought.

One downside for some will be the fact that you can’t get a life insurance quote through the website.

Pacific Life: Verdict 

Pacific Life is a solid, reliable life insurance provider, with an excellent range of policies and a decent record of keeping customers happy.

Its range of universal life policies is especially comprehensive, and it has built up something of a reputation in this sector. We also liked its website tools and calculators.

It misses out on the top spots due to customer satisfaction scores that are decent, but by no means stellar. At the same time, it’s worth remembering that the business attracts very few serious complaints, so you’re unlikely to run into fundamental problems with a life policy from Pacific.  

Humana Vision: What you need to know

Humana is another health insurance giant, usually found in the top half of the Fortune 500 league table. It’s based in Louisville Kentucky and was founded more than 50 years ago in 1961. It began life as a nursing home company, and all these years later is the biggest owner and operator of hospitals in the country, currently standing at 77. 

Humana has weathered its share of controversies over the years and gone from financial strength to strength. The vision care plan is Humana Vision, and is as simple and direct as its name suggests. There’s only one network available, and that’s EyeMed, which is a giant that services all the larger retailers and chains you’re likely to find. 

There’s only one tier of cover that offers fairly industry-standard levels of copay and allowance cover. It costs $15.99 which includes a $1 a month admin fee but doesn’t include the one-off $35 enrolment fee. It’s a simple plan, and if it suits your needs it comes in at a reasonable cost.

Humana Vision: Big business

• A big firm, with a lot of far reaching policies
• Eye care a very small portion of the company's overall portfolio

Humana is a powerful player in the medical world. It's a big firm, with a lot of far reaching policies. That gives it a significant amount of financial heft, and the stability that comes with it. In difficult times, a degree of extra certainty is a very welcome bonus. 

The eye care package is a very small portion of the company's overall portfolio, and it doesn’t look to have had a great deal of thought or love lavished upon it.

Humana Vision: Simplicity itself

• Option to insure yourself personally, or your immediate family
• Policies are provided through the EyeMed network

If you select a Vision plan from Humana, you’re given the option to insure yourself personally, or your immediate family. Those are your only choices. 

Policies are provided through the EyeMed network, which gives you good coverage, especially if you’re used to the convenience of shopping for eye care while you’re at the supermarket. 

The package charges monthly premiums of $15.99 (not a penny less, maybe a few pennies more if you factor in the once-only membership fee of $35, ouch).

Humana Vision: By the numbers

• Receive a yearly exam for a $15 copay
• in-network allowance of $150 for your frames

For your premium you receive a yearly exam for a $15 copay. There’s an in-network allowance of $150 for your frames and a 20 percent discount for any spend over and above that figure. 

For contact lenses, you’re stumping up a $40 copay for the exam, again yearly, and your allowance is the industry standard $150. 

There are a host of very specific lens finishes and materials, each with a separate copay that’ll add up if you want the whole kit and caboodle.  

There are some out-of-network options, but not many and they aren’t spectacularly generous. It’s very much what you’d expect for the premium, but with no room for customization based on your personal circumstances and eye health.

Humana Vision: Verdict

Humana’s a big, reliable name in the health finance sector. Your money’s as safe with this company as it would be in the bank. Humana has a proven track record in the medical world, and is one of the largest government contractors. 

The company remit is huge, and the vision care side of the insurance offering is very small and undeveloped. There’s only one plan, available for you or you and your loved ones. The individual premium is $15.99, and that comes with a raft of very standard eye care benefits. It’s a one-size-fits-all cover, but if that size is right for you it’s a solid offer.

If you're looking for basic protection for your home, Erie Insurance is undoubtedly one of the best homeowners insurance providers around. Its customers always seem happy and it enjoys a good reputation for its auto and life insurance offerings too. A well-established insurance provider covering 12 states, plus Washington D.C., in the North West of the country, Erie also attracts a below average number of state regulator complaints for a company of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. 

Erie's JD Power Home Insurance survey results are extremely positive too, with the five out of five it received for overall customer satisfaction putting it in an exclusive club headed by overall award winner Amica Mutual. That Erie’s 2019 results were improvements on its scores in previous years suggests it is a company where lessons have been learned and improvements made as well.

Erie operates through a large network of over 12,000 local agents, which is a high concentration given the company’s limited geographical scope. 

Erie Insurance Homeowners Insurance review: Features

• Great standard cover, including guaranteed replacement cost
• Decent add-ons
• Standard discounts

Erie claims to offer more comprehensive homeowners insurance than the “typical competitor”, and in many ways this statement does stand up to scrutiny. Its basic homeowners insurance, before add-ons, is among the best we’ve seen.

For example, Erie offers what it calls “guaranteed replacement cost”, which means it won’t subtract a wear and tear estimate from your payout, even if you have to rebuild your entire home. This isn’t available in all states though, so talk to an agent for more information.

In addition, its personal property cover has fewer exclusions than equivalent cover from many competitors, and its coverage for ‘hard to replace’ items (like property deeds and passports) is more comprehensive than most. What’s more, Erie’s basic policy will cover animals up to $500, a category overlooked by many competitors.

In summary, Erie does the basics very well, and it also offers a range of add-ons to suit your personal circumstances. For example, cover for water backup and sump overflow, earthquakes, floods and service line damage can all be added to the basic policy. This isn’t as comprehensive a list as, say, that from Allstate, but it will suit the needs of most customers.

Erie also offers discounts, though these are fairly standard. Savings are available for the installation of protective systems (sprinklers, fire and burglar alarms) and for bundling home and auto policies, as well as for getting a quote well in advance of your current policy expiring. There’s nothing unusual here, and Liberty Mutual is one provider that offers a far longer list of potential discounts.

Erie Insurance Homeowners Insurance review: Interface and usability 

• Clean, functional website
• No mobile app

Erie’s website is nice to look at and functional, though it doesn’t offer the depth of resources of some competitors. You can use it to pay a bill, start a claim, find an agent and access a resource centre, which is really just a detailed Q&A on Erie’s policies. It does have a decent blog where you can find articles that go beyond basic insurance, but the websites of Allstate and State Farm are better in this regard.

Unusually, Erie doesn’t offer a mobile app to help homeowners insurance customers manage accounts or make claims. This is something of an oversight in an age when a customer may want to complete their financial chores on the train into work, or in a quiet moment between meetings. 

Erie Insurance Homeowners Insurance review: Quality of product

• Strong financials
• Very satisfied customers

Erie is rated A+ (“superior”) for financial stability by A.M. Best, which makes it a reliable option. 

On top of that, customers who took part in JD Power’s Home Insurance survey clearly think Erie is a very solid product. As well as five stars for overall customer satisfaction, the company hit top marks for policy offerings, price and interaction with the company. Its claims process was rated four out of five and its billing process and policy information three out of five. 

These are impressive scores putting Erie among the best in the survey, and ahead of better known national rivals like Allstate, State Farm and Liberty Mutual. They also appear to show Erie on an upward curve. In 2018, the company received an overall customer satisfaction score of three out of five, so it has climbed from average to excellent in just 12 months. This may be evidence of the company listening to feedback and prioritising customer service and support.

Should you use Erie Insurance Homeowners Insurance?

The problem much of the country will have with Erie homeowners insurance is that it is simply not available. Erie’s limited geographical coverage means that many potential customers miss out on an excellent alternative to the sector leaders. 

But within its area of operation, Erie clearly knows its market and serves it well. It has a large network of agents supporting a very good basic product. Decent add-ons and standard discounts make for an attractive package. 

On the flipside, Erie’s website - though attractive and easy to navigate - can seem a little thin on resources, and the company has yet to release a mobile app that lets customers manage their accounts on the go.

But those customers don’t much seem to care. Product, price and support all score highly in the JD Power rankings, putting Erie Insurance up with the likes of Amica Mutual as one of the best homeowners insurance providers of 2019. 

Of the best homeowners insurance companies in the country, Liberty Mutual catered to five percent of the market in 2019, making it the third largest provider overall. Popularity isn’t everything, but it is something. You have to assume that at least some of that huge customer base arrived via word of mouth and personal recommendation.

And yet in the most recent JD Power Home Insurance survey Liberty Mutual scored a little lower than average for overall customer satisfaction. Respondents were reasonably satisfied with its policy offerings and claims process, but less so with its price, billing process and policy information, and the interactions they had with the company.

Despite that, a significant chunk of the nation trusts Liberty Mutual with its homeowners insurance needs, and it is most likely the features that are available that keep them coming back.

Liberty Mutual Homeowners Insurance review: Features

• Long list of discounts
• One or two standout add-ons

Liberty Mutual makes a great play of its flexibility, claiming that it can create a policy that suits your individual requirements. There is some truth in that. It depends on what your personal requirements are, of course, but the company is the only one we’ve found that offers features like inflation protection endorsement, which protects you against price rises in labor, materials or building costs. 

A Liberty Mutual policy will cover personal belongings as standard and can also cover your valuables. It will help you pay your living expenses if you can’t reside in your home while damages are being repaired. It can cover other buildings on your property, like a shed or outhouse, and boasts an add-on that has you covered for water backup and sump pump overflow. Check with a Liberty Mutual agent to see what features and add-ons might best protect your individual property.

Liberty Mutual also boasts a long list of potential discounts that could reduce your premium considerably. For example, you may receive a discount for installing protective devices, or when you insure up to 100 percent of the cost to replace your home. You might be entitled to money off simply by being a new home buyer. Newly built or renovated homes may qualify for a discount, and you may also be in line for savings if you choose to pay electronically, receive paperless documents, or if you’re serving in the military or have done in the past. 

There are others and, taken as a whole, this is the longest list of discounts we’ve come across, and a considerably more comprehensive one than that offered by State Farm, the biggest company in the sector.

Liberty Mutual Homeowners Insurance review: Interface and usability 

• Great online claims management
• In-depth coverage calculator
• Amazon Alexa skill

Liberty Mutual scores well for a clean, easy-to-navigate website and for a wide range of customer support channels. It has 24/7 claims assistance and will connect you directly to relevant local services if your home needs immediate repairs. You can live chat with a claims agent and file and manage claims online. Filing a claim through the browser takes just five to ten minutes, the company says.

It also boasts some very handy online tools. Its in-depth coverage calculator is one of the best we’ve seen, and will give you a very good idea of your likely premium. As well as standard questions, it will ask you about your tolerance to risk and whether or not you are worried about identity theft. 

Liberty Mutual also offers a very well reviewed app for iOS and Android. The app lets you manage your policy, pay bills and file and track claims right from your mobile device. In what the company claims is a first, it also offers direct access to its online resource center through the Liberty Mutual Amazon Alexa skill. 

Liberty Mutual Homeowners Insurance review: Quality of product

• Reasonable but not great financial stability
• Question marks over customer service and claims handling

Liberty Mutual appears to have quite a lot going for it, with excellent discounts and well-considered tools and resources. So what’s behind that disappointing JD Power customer satisfaction score?

Clearly, some customers think that, despite the discounts, the price they pay isn’t great for the coverage they receive. The score for interacting with the business is also a little below par, suggesting that Liberty Mutual should spend some time brushing up its customer service. The company does not have the best reputation for the speed and ease with which it handles claims.

We were also a little surprised that Liberty Mutual only receives an A score from A.M. Best, which is a measure of financial stability. An A rating isn’t bad, but it’s a couple of levels below State Farm’s A++ and a level below the A+ scores achieved by Allstate, Nationwide and Amica, among others. 

Should you use Liberty Mutual Homeowners Insurance?

Liberty Mutual feels like one of those companies that has got it half right. In many ways, it is up with the best homeowners insurance providers in the sector, boasting a wide range of discounts, an excellent online portal and some helpful tools and resources.

On the other hand, customer satisfaction is clearly an issue, and too many customers seem to believe that Liberty Mutual promises more than it delivers. 

In which case, should you look elsewhere? We’d argue that you should always try to look everywhere, and that Liberty Mutual should only ever be one of several quotes you receive. But it is worth including in your list, especially if the company’s unusual features and add-ons appeal, and you can make its long list of discounts work to your advantage. 

Among the best homeowners insurance providers, Travelers is a large national (and international) provider with a nearly four percent US market share. The company has a 160 year history, so it knows a thing or two about insurance - as well as homeowners insurance, it offers a wide range of insurance products for individuals and businesses.

However, its recent ratings are somewhat mixed. On the one hand, the latest JD Power Home Insurance survey awards the company just two out of five stars for overall customer satisfaction for its homeowners insurance proposition. Yet on the other, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ statistics show that Travelers received fewer than the median number of complaints to state regulators for auto and home insurance in 2018 relative to its size.

What to believe? One thing we know for certain is that Travelers is a popular company with a long history, so it must be doing something right. 

Travelers Homeowners Insurance review: Features

• Solid standard features
• Good list of add-ons
• Extra discount for green homes

That Travelers only scores two out of five for policy offerings in the latest JD Power survey is something of a mystery. The company puts considerable effort into making sure you have the right policy for your personal requirements.

It offers standard dwelling cover, of course, and ‘other structures’ coverage that takes in sheds, garages and fences on your property. Personal property coverage means you’ll be compensated for the loss of personal items, from furniture and clothing to electronics, so long as they are damaged in a covered loss. 

Travelers’ homeowners insurance will also provide ‘loss of use’ coverage, which will help pay for living expenses while your property is being repaired. Personal liability coverage helps cover you if you are sued and need to pay damages; for example if somebody falls down the stairs in your home. 

This is a fairly standard list, but Travelers also offers a comprehensive range of add-ons. These include valuable items cover, which is great for items like musical instruments, computers and jewelry, and water back up coverage. Unusually, Travelers also offers green home coverage, meaning it will help repair, replace or rebuild with green materials after you file a claim.

In terms of discounts, Travelers may reduce your premium if you buy more than one insurance product from the company, if you have a claim free period, and if you install protective devices (alarms, sprinkler systems, connected smart systems) in your home. More unusual is the ability to save up to five percent if your home is already certified a “green home” by the Leadership Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) organization.

Travelers Homeowners Insurance: Interface and usability 

• Good website portal
• Manage your account with Alexa

Travelers’ website is neat and easy to navigate. Simple tabs introduce you to homeowners insurance, with an overview that then digs deeper into what’s covered and ways to save (discounts), as well as an in depth FAQ section. 

The website also acts as a portal that lets you access all of your insurance information, pay bills, file and track claims and more. Elsewhere, the site features a detailed information section, with articles covering everything from buying and selling a home and fire and home safety, to smart home technology and insurance. These are informative and easy to read.

Travelers also has a mobile app (for iOS and Android), through which you can pay bills, file a claim and view your policy documents. However, the app only receives an average score from users on both app stores. 

Interestingly, you can also manage your account with Amazon Alexa. Hardly any other providers - Liberty Mutual being an exception - offer this service.

Travelers Homeowners Insurance: Quality of product

• Very strong financials
• Customer service may need focus

Travelers has good basic cover with decent add-ons, all supported by a clean and user friendly website. Despite these features, its JD Power survey scores never rise above average.

Customer service is clearly an issue, with the company doing particularly poorly on policy offerings and billing. Agents may need to spend more time with customers to ensure they have the coverage they need and understand how the billing process works, and are aware of any discounts to which they are entitled. 

Travelers does better on price and interaction, though only attaining “about average” ratings in both. Slightly worryingly, the overall customer satisfaction rating has not improved from 2018, when it was also two out of five. The company has improved marginally in one or two of the individual categories.

Nevertheless, it can at least boast some serious financial strength, with an A++ rating from A.M. Best. Of the firms we’ve reviewed only State Farm can match this rating, which means the company’s ability to pay out on claims is not in any doubt. 

Should you use Travelers Homeowners Insurance?

On the surface, Travelers does most things right. Its basic policy is good, with some attractive add-ons and a decent range of discounts. Its online presence is well thought out, and it boasts a couple of real innovations in terms of a green homes discount and account management via Amazon Alexa.

Despite this and reasonable pricing, many customers do not think they get anything other than average service from Travelers. A renewed focus on customer service and support would certainly help to make its homeowners insurance a more attractive option. As it is, it may still be worth considering if you already buy auto insurance from the company, have a green home or want to talk through your requirements with a local agent. 

State Farm is the big boy of the best homeowners insurance market, insuring just short of a fifth of all the nation’s homes. Size isn’t everything, of course, but it does have relevance in the insurance market. State Farm’s financial strength is rated at A++, which means it is never going to have trouble fulfilling its obligations to customers. Make a legitimate claim and State Farm will pay up.

Size is also good when it comes to geographical coverage. Quite simply, there are more State Farm agents out there than for any other home insurer, so you’re more likely to be able to find an agent in your locality.

And of course, size denotes popularity. State Farm is doing something right. The company’s overall customer satisfaction rating in the latest annual JD Power Home Insurance survey is four out of five, which is a good - although not industry-leading - score. The survey also reveals that State Farm scores well on price, but gets only an average rating for customer interaction.

State Farm Homeowners Insurance review: Features

• Huge network of agents
• Good standard cover - but less comprehensive than others in niche areas
• Good discounts but not all available in every state

As befits the country’s biggest homeowners insurance company, State Farm does the simple things well. Its online quote tool is among the best in the sector, and the basic coverage options are well explained and comprehensive. It operates a network of nearly 20,000 agents, meaning you can easily set up a meeting and talk through your requirements with an insurance professional.

Customers tend to like State Farm’s policy offerings, giving the company four out of five stars in this area in the JD Power rankings. Its add-ons are less comprehensive than those offered by Allstate and one or two other competitors, so people who run a business from their home - among others - may find better options elsewhere. But if your requirements are fairly standard, State Farm offers everything you need.

This really is the company’s strength. State Farm is a solid, reliable choice for the majority of the nation’s homeowners. It operates in the mainstream rather than at the edges, and it is obvious that it serves its market well.

The company offers a range of potential savings, such as discounts for bundling home and auto insurance, discounts for home alert systems like smoke and fire alarms, and discounts for using certain impact-resistant roofing products. This is a solid list but it should be noted that not all discounts are available in all states. The same is true for other policy options, so talk with an agent to make sure you can get the cover you need at a price that is right for you.  

State Farm Homeowners Insurance review: Interface and usability

• Excellent quote tool
• Well considered information resources

One of State Farm’s strengths is its resources and online tools. The quote tool is extremely comprehensive, digging down into the detail of your circumstances to make sure you get the most reliable estimate. The website’s Simple Insights section is a treasure trove of information on home insurance and so much more, from home maintenance to buying and selling property. 

All of this is well laid out and easy to find. State Farm’s homeowners insurance homepage asks and answers a series of fundamental questions (like what exactly your insurance covers), with links to Simple Insights and more information. You can get a quote and find an agent from the page too.

State Farm also offers a solid mobile app - available for both Apple and Android - which lets you manage your policy and file claims on the go. Both versions are well reviewed.

State Farm Homeowners Insurance review: Quality of product

• Strong financials make it a reliable choice
• Claims handling is reasonable

State Farm offers very good basic homeowners insurance package, backed by great online resources and the largest network of agents in the country. The company’s long experience and strong financial position make it a trustworthy option, especially if your home insurance needs are relatively straightforward. 

With homeowners insurance, quality of product is often really about quality of service. After all, most companies offer standard HO-3 cover with a range of add-ons. Many providers now do most of their business online, but if you want to actually sit down and talk to an agent State Farm is most likely to be able to offer that service. 

Another point of difference is how providers deal with your claim. State Farm scored three out of five in the JD Power survey in this regard, making it decent but by no means the best.

Should you use State Farm Homeowners Insurance?

The biggest? Certainly. The best? It depends on your requirements. We found State Farm to be excellent at basic cover supported by good customer service. Its huge network of agents helps in this regard, though even this doesn’t drive the company’s customer satisfaction score beyond ‘good’. Others, Amica being the obvious example, do better.

But State Farm probably has an agent near you who can help you get the best policy for your needs, and its sector-leading financial strength means that you should always see your claims paid out, even if a lot of other people are making claims at the same time. If you’re in an area prone to natural disasters, this is worth considering, though make sure State Farm can cover your particular circumstances. 

Otherwise, we were impressed with State Farm’s tools and resources. Its Simple Insights section is among the best information hubs we’ve seen, and its mobile app for Android and Apple does a decent job.

In conclusion, State Farm is a very good mainstream homeowners insurance option. But if you have more niche requirements, there may be better alternatives elsewhere.  

Available to almost anyone looking for the best homeowners insurance, Allstate - as its name might suggest - covers every state in the US, including Alaska. This national coverage is complemented by a network of local agents, who provide the local knowledge you need to make an informed decision. 

Allstate is a big player, the second largest homeowners insurance provider in the country. Its size means Allstate is able to offer a wide range of attractive discounts, and its selection of online tools and educational resources is as good as anything we’ve come across in the sector. Allstate also sells its own policies (rather than outsourcing them to a third-party underwriter) which should ensure consistency across the country.

Allstate boasts an excellent mobile app, which is extremely useful for creating inventories of belongings, and a range of customizable extras. If there’s a minor niggle here it is decent, but not great, customer satisfaction scores. In the latest annual JD Power Home Insurance survey, Allstate scores three out of five for overall customer satisfaction: not a bad score, but not a leading one. All in all though, Allstate is a solid and dependable option for anyone looking for home insurance.

Allstate Homeowners Insurance review: Features

• Industry leading online tools
• Good customizations
• A range of discounts

Allstate’s standout feature is its comprehensive range of resources. In fact, Allstate is something of a one-stop-shop for basic insurance information, making it a good choice for home buyers looking for their first insurance package. Does home insurance cover storm damage (or, for that matter, pet damage)? What is hazard insurance? Are you better off renting or owning? All these questions, and many more, are asked and answered here. 

There are nice, simple, informative guides, answering many of the queries home insurance customers might have. Allstate provides some excellent tools, too. We were particularly impressed with its GoodHome tool, which provides personalized tips for specific locations, based on local records. Having a comprehensive inventory of your belongings is crucial if disaster strikes, and Allstate lets you achieve this through its Digital Locker app, which stores photos of your belongings in the cloud. These are genuinely useful resources.

Allstate also stands out with its range of policy add-ons. On top of standard cover, you can add flood insurance, identity theft protection, sports and musical equipment cover, and many more. You’ll pay for them, of course, but it is hard to imagine a reasonable homeowner-based circumstance that couldn’t be covered by Allstate if you wanted it to be.

Finally, Allstate offers a very good range of discounts. You can get money off for bundling your home and auto insurance, for fitting home safety equipment and for simply signing up for an Allstate policy. If you don’t claim for a while, you open up another potential source of savings.

Allstate Homeowners Insurance review: Interface and usability

• Easy to use and navigate
• Very useful mobile app
• Customer service above average but no more 

Allstate is designed to be easy-to-use. As already mentioned, its comprehensive suite of resources is among the best in the sector, and its huge network of agents makes it easy to talk to a real person. As the company states: “Whether you need to protect your car on the streets of New York City or your cabin in the Rockies, Allstate has an agent in your neighborhood that will help you get covered.”

Allstate homeowners insurance policies are highly customizable, so working alongside an agent to get the very best cover for your location and circumstances is important. The Agent Finder tool helps you get straight to the agent who can best serve your needs.

You can manage your account online through Allstate’s intuitive interface, and if you need to make a claim, there are four ways in which to file and track. Contact your local agent, file and track the claim over the phone, use your online account or do everything through the useful mobile phone app. However you like to do things, Allstate offers a solution. 

These are excellent options, but as we mentioned above, Allstate is not perfect. According to the JD Power Home Insurance survey, the company scores slightly below its major rivals in terms of customer satisfaction - it doesn’t do badly, but the standards reached by the best in the sector are not usually met.

Allstate Homeowners Insurance review: Quality of product

• A long history and complete market coverage
• Up to date tools and resources show commitment to innovation

Allstate is a large nationwide provider with a history stretching back to 1931. It knows the market, it knows its customers and built up the best part of a century’s worth of experience. 

This is perhaps best demonstrated by its hundreds strong disaster response team, one of the largest in the country. 

And Allstate has moved with the times too, with a cutting edge mobile app and a complete library of online resources. These show an attention to detail that is not always present in the insurance sector, while free automatic payment is another useful tool. Essentially, Allstate has almost all the bases covered.

Should you use Allstate Homeowners Insurance?

Allstate is well known for a complete range of insurance products and its full-featured homeowners insurance is one of the most popular on the market. It’s easy to see why. Allstate’s excellent resources and wide network of agents make the company easy to deal with, and an ideal choice for new homeowners insurance customers. Those seeking something beyond a basic policy shouldn't be disappointed either, thanks to a good range of valuable add-ons. 

The JD Power Home Insurance survey suggests that Allstate is not bad, but not the best, when it comes to customer service. And though prices are reasonable, you probably need to make use of its discounts to really make its offer competitive. Luckily, there are plenty of those. 

All in all, Allstate offers a well-designed and dependable homeowners insurance solution, which would be even better with an improved focus on customer service and support.

When it comes to offering the best homeowners insurance, Amica Mutual is the perfect example of a good thing that can come in a small package. The company is relatively unknown in the homeowners insurance market compared to giants like State Farm, but it consistently punches above its weight in terms of customer satisfaction. In the latest annual JD Power Home Insurance survey, Amica achieved five stars almost across the board, taking the award for top provider.

So what is it about Amica that thrills its customers? It isn’t price, because there is cheaper cover out there. But the experience of customers when they interact with the company, and that includes filing claims, is generally exemplary. That’s why its top award in the JD Power survey is no fluke - Amica has topped the list for 18 consecutive years.

Is there a downside here? As we’ve said, attentive customer support doesn’t come cheap, so those buying on price alone might want to look elsewhere. And Amica’s website, though much improved of late, does not offer the comprehensive resources of Allstate or Traveler, for example. Aside from that, however, Amica offers the best homeowners insurance product around.

Amica Mutual Homeowners Insurance review: Features

• Unbeatable customer service
• Good cover and extras
• Dividend policies may be more cost effective in the long run

So what, exactly, does Amica offer? Most of all, it does customer service and support very well. Customers praise its knowledgeable and friendly staff, speedy claim handling and policy information. They are generally happy with the price they pay for the service they receive.

As well as good standard homeowners insurance cover, Amica offers extras like flood cover, cover for home-based businesses and - of increasing importance - identity fraud expense cover. These add-ons are not as wide ranging as those offered by Allstate, for example, but they’ll be quite enough for most people in most circumstances.  

Amica’s Platinum Home product wraps up these extras in one convenient package. It includes computer and credit card coverage, liability and medical payment coverage (for anyone suffering injury on your property) and extended valuable items coverage. 

Because Amica is a mutual company, it also offers home insurance dividend policies. These offer the same cover as traditional policies, but return a portion of money back to you – typically five to 20% – in a dividend payment. A dividend policy may cost more up front but can save you money in the long run.

Amica Mutual Homeowners Insurance review: Interface and usability

• Website is clean and functional - but basic
• A network of regional offices give proven support
• Android mobile app needs work

Amica’s website is clean, easy to use, and quite basic. Unlike other providers, the company offers little in the way of online resources beyond a claim centre, a quote tool and online bill payment. Everything is nicely laid out and serviceable, but it lacks the kind of customer information and education resources that are becoming commonplace elsewhere.

While Amica’s regional offices dot the country, coverage is not as wide as with some competitors who use networks of agents. Nevertheless, regional offices ensure a consistency of service across the country, and Amica promises you’ll be dealing with “an insurance professional who offers personal attention and proven expertise.” The truth of that claim is borne out by the elevated reputation of its customer service and support.  

The Amica mobile app is clean and easy to use, and allows you to peruse your policy, pay bills and even make claims on the go. Or it does if it works. Quite a number of users of the Android app have complained about freezing screens and payment issues, though Apple users are far more satisfied. If you are intent on tracking your policy through an app and you have an Android device, for the moment at least Amica might not be the best product for you.

Amica Mutual Homeowners Insurance review: Quality of product

• Strong financials
• A good product, well delivered

There are policies out there with more comprehensive coverage options and add ons. There are better websites and apps. But that doesn’t stop large numbers of its customers praising Amica to the skies.

That’s simply because Amica offers a good product at a reasonable price and has done for more than a century. The company has an A+ rating from A.M. Best, indicating that it is financially strong, and today boasts 44 offices across the country. 

Amica gives discounts for loyalty, for a claim free period, for signing up for auto pay and for bundling home, auto or umbrella policies together. It is not the cheapest policy on the market so it’s worth keeping these discounts in mind. 

Should you use Amica Mutual Homeowners Insurance?

There is no doubt that Amica serves its homeowners insurance customers very well, with a good product and award-winning support. A total of 18 consecutive top of the league placements in the JD Power Home Insurance survey is no accident. Amica’s customer satisfaction levels are among the best in the sector.

The one JD Power category in which Amica failed to gain five stars is price, where it attained four. That’s still a good score, and Amica’s service is clearly worth the money, but if you’re buying on price alone there are cheaper options out there.

Amica’s website could be more useful - it lacks a comprehensive information hub - and its mobile app, at least on Android, needs work.

But these details don’t seem to bother its loyal customer base, many of whom have been with the company for years and even decades. Service is all with Amica. 

Nationwide is a large provider that has more to offer customers besides some of the best homeowners insurance. In fact, the company offers a range of financial services, from banking and borrowing to investments and retirement, and has a number of services for businesses too. 

Nationwide is a major organization and the tenth largest provider of homeowners insurance in the country. Size is relevant when it comes to insurance. It has an A+ rating for financial strength from A.M. Best, which means it has plenty of assets and should never have a problem paying claims. It might not be quite as secure in this regard as State Farm (which has an A++ rating), but Nationwide’s strong financials are reassuring nonetheless.

However, Nationwide only notches two out of five for overall customer satisfaction in the most recent JD Power Home Insurance survey, which is based on how customers rate every aspect of their experience with a provider. It does better with claims handling, with three out of five stars, but overall its JD Power customer scores are well below industry leaders like Amica Mutual.

Nationwide Homeowners Insurance review: Features

• A strong list of discounts
• Ordinance coverage is a useful feature
• Good annual review

Nationwide isn’t lacking when it comes to features. It boasts one of the most comprehensive lists of discounts we’ve come across, from the more standard bundling of homeowners and auto insurance together, to more unusual discounts, like a roof rating discount and a discount for living in gated communities. In terms of discounts, Nationwide is at least as good as anyone in the sector.

Unusually, Nationwide also offers what is known as ordinance or law coverage. That means if your roof, plumbing or electrical system is badly damaged, it won’t just pay for like-for-like replacements, but may help you upgrade your infrastructure to meet current building codes and safety standards. That’s a potentially major saving in the event of disaster striking your home.

You can get a quote online or through one of Nationwide’s network of agents. Included in its plans are an annual On Your Side review, a free insurance assessment that helps to ensure your policy still meets your specific requirements. As Nationwide says, a lot can happen in a year, so it’s a useful feature and can help to identify discounts or areas where further coverage is required.

Nationwide Homeowners Insurance review: Interface and usability

• Good resource center
• Online and mobile services among the best

Nationwide boasts a clean, well-considered website that is nice to look at and easy to navigate. Its Learning Center is packed with useful information. This goes beyond basic insurance, and covers more general home ownership and maintenance topics. Subjects like umbrella insurance, coverage while moving property and insuring musical instruments are tackled well. 

In fact, Nationwide is generally good when it comes to online services. Customers can choose paperless billing and documents, and pay bills, print ID cards and documents, view policy details and start and track claims from their online account. There’s 24/7 claims support and the Nationwide mobile app - for Android and iOS - lets you view your policy or start a claim wherever you are. You can also make payments and manage payment methods. Both apps are well reviewed in their respective stores.

Nationwide Homeowners Insurance review: Quality of product

• Popular, strong financials, good agent network
• Pricier than average
• Customer service a weakness

We know that Nationwide has strong financials, a large customer base and some good discounts and features. All of that should make it among the top players in the homeowners insurance sector, yet it falls short in one or two key areas.

One of those is price. Nationwide scored two out of five on price on the JD Power survey, which is based on how customers see price compared to coverage. Nationwide does have a reputation of being one of the pricier national providers. We wouldn’t advise anyone disregard the company entirely on price, though. It has a number of good discounts available and for those wanting ordinance coverage, for example, the price might be worth paying. As ever, make sure you get more than one detailed quote.

The second niggle is that JD Power customer satisfaction score of two out of five. One survey is not everything and Nationwide has done better in other roundups, but JD Power is a well established study and Nationwide did little better than average across all six categories. It did best in policy offerings and claims, with three stars in both, but attained just two stars in price, billing information and interaction, as well as overall customer satisfaction.

Should that put you off? Not necessarily. An individual's experience of a homeowners insurance provider might come down to the agent you talk to, or how much you like its online portal. If Nationwide offers the kind of cover you want, you should check it out; then, however, you need to compare it with other providers before making an informed choice.

Should you use Nationwide Homeowners Insurance?

We like a lot about Nationwide homeowners insurance. It has some interesting features, a very good website and mobile app, and a selection of well thought out discounts. It boasts a decent list of add-ons too.

You can also be reassured that Nationwide has a strong financial position, while insurance is just one of a family of financial services the company offers. If you like dealing with one organisation for all your insurance, banking and investment needs, Nationwide might be a good option.

Nationwide is, however, far from perfect. Its scores are no better than average in the JD Power survey, and there is a reputation for being at the pricier end of the market. It might still be worth a look if you like its features and add-ons, but buyers looking for bargains are likely to be put off.  

If there was a natural disaster tomorrow that destroyed your property, would you have enough money to rebuild it? 

We’re not talking about money from your savings account. We’re talking about your homeowner insurance. According to a number of studies, many homes in the US are undervalued for insurance purposes, and in one survey the average shortfall was around 17 percent.

That might not sound like a fortune, but put it this way. If you were forced to rebuild a $200,000 home, you’d be $34,000 down on what you need.

But you’ll never need to rebuild your home, right? Your home will never actually be destroyed? Maybe, but plenty of Americans do need to rebuild their homes. Approximately 1,000 tornadoes strike the U.S. each year. In 2018 there were 55 catastrophes causing insured property losses of at least $25 million. One alarming statistic is that 43 percent of U.S. homes and condos — that’s a total of 35.8 million homes — are at a high risk or very high risk of at least one type of natural disaster.

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Damage isn’t always disastrous

And it doesn’t have to be something disastrous to cause considerable damage. There were 2.9 million hail loss claims in the United States from 2016 through 2018, and 811,000 in Texas alone. Florida is the lightning strike capital of the country. There were over 7,000 lightning strike claims in the state in 2018. 

And of course, there are plenty of things far more prosaic than dramatic weather events that can significantly damage your home. Water is one of the most common causes of damage to property, and while that can be down to flooding caused by storms, it’s more likely to be the result of plumbing issues and faulty appliances, or sewage backing up into your home. In fact, according to one study, in the Pacific West water problems within the home caused 43 percent of all losses.   

What all this goes to show is that it’s essential to get homeowner insurance, and to get the right homeowner insurance. According to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), most Americans  - around 95 percent - do have some kind of home insurance, even though it is not a legal requirement in every state. Still, that leaves between 3.5 and four million homes in the US with no insurance at all.

Get fully insured

While many Americans might have basic insurance, lots are underinsured for their needs. In fact, one study suggests that around 60 percent of US homes are underinsured, and it’s also true that many of us don’t know exactly what our home insurance does and doesn’t cover. 

For example, a study by Princeton Survey Research Associates found that 56 percent of respondents incorrectly thought that flood damage was covered by a standard home insurance policy. 

It isn’t. You’ll need separate flood, earthquake and hurricane protection if you live in a high risk area. None of these are covered by standard HO-3 insurance policies.

So how do you go about making sure you’re getting the right home insurance for your needs? According to the federal government, there are a number of general factors to consider, regardless of the type of insurance you’re shopping for. They include:

• Check with your state's insurance department for information about insurance companies and agents
• Make sure the insurance company has a license and is covered by the state’s guaranty fund. The fund pays claims in case the company defaults
• Check the financial stability and soundness of the insurance company
• Read reviews from current customers
• Make sure you receive a written policy. If you don't receive a policy within 60 days, contact your agent and the insurance company

After that, read reviews (our home insurance buyer’s guide), get personal recommendations, and make sure you obtain several quotes. Talk to agents to make sure you get the right coverage for your needs.

Talk it through

That personal contact can be important. At first glance, home insurance providers might seem to be selling very similar products. But dig beneath basic cover and into add-ons, discounts and features, and it could be that one insurer offers a far better policy for your particular circumstances than another. If you’re not an insurance expert - and who is? - it’s useful to be able to sit in front of someone and have them explain the details of a policy in language you can understand.

And don’t forget what’s in your house, as well as the property itself. A basic policy is likely to cover your standard belongings, but expensive items like jewellery, computer equipment, cameras, art, antiques and musical instruments might require special coverage. 

Take some time to research various providers, and if you don’t understand something, ask a representative of the business to explain it. The good ones will be happy to help. Remember, insurance companies make the most money from satisfied customers, who keep renewing their policies year after year. It’s in everybody’s interest that you end up with the insurance you need.

What is Medicare Part D?

Medicare Part D is one of four parts that make up the Medicare program. It offers assistance with the cost of prescription drug charges, and is available as a stand-alone coverage option, or as a prescription drug benefit added to a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan. 

Who is eligible for Medicare Part D? 

Not everybody is eligible for Medicare Part D. Potential customers must meet certain criteria to enrol in a Medicare Part D plan. For example, there are some of the qualifying categories:

• You are aged 65 or older
• You have a qualifying disability for which you have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for more than 24 months
• You have been diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring a kidney transplant or dialysis)
• You are entitled to Medicare Part A and/or enrolled in Medicare Part B

Who should enrol in Medicare Part D? 

If you qualify and are eligible, you should enrol for Medicare Part D. So you should enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan if:

• You use prescription drugs on a regular basis
• You think you may need prescription drugs in the future
• You do not have an existing prescription drug plan as good as Medicare’s
• You are worried about increasing prescription drug costs
• You are having trouble paying for your prescription drugs

What are the costs of Medicare Part D plans? 

Not all Medicare Part D plans have the same pricing structures, and monthly premiums can differ widely. Most plans work on a cost-sharing basis, so some of the cost is paid by the company providing the plans and some is paid by the customer. 

When weighing up which plan is most likely to work best for you, think about the likely out-of-pocket expenses your medical treatments are going to entail. If you have a lot of prescriptions to fill on a regular basis, it’s often worth paying a higher monthly premium so that your co-pay costs are lower. If you don’t use and don’t expect to use many prescription drugs in the near future, then lower premiums with higher co-pays are probably the way forward. 

Drug costs and formularies

Your our of pocket expenses and co-pay amounts will vary a lot depending on what type of drugs you might need. The drugs evaluated for Medicare Part D plans are done in five tiers. 

Tiers 1 and 2 are drugs that fall within ‘regular’ usage and are commonly purchased by many people. These often have very low to zero amount co-pays, depending on the specific plan bought by the customer. 

Tiers 3, 4 and 5 are more expensive, often specialist drugs and so their use should be weighed up before commenting to a Part D plan. Again, if a customer is having to buy a lot of Tier 3-5 drugs, on a regular basis, then it’s worth paying a higher monthly premium to have these copay costs brought down. 

The stages of Medicare Part D coverage

There are four stages of Medicare Part D coverage, and it’s important to haver basic understanding of what these are when buying a Part D plan. 

The Annual Deductible Stage

This begins with the first prescription of the calendar year. Here you pay the full cost of your drugs until the deductible has been reached. Many plans have no deductibles in this stage for drugs on Tiers 1 and 2, which include many generic and everyday drugs. 

The Initial Coverage Stage

This stage begins after a customer reaches their deductible. If their plan has no deductible, then of course this is the first stage of their plan. It is at this stage that cost sharing begins, which means that customers co-pay for their drugs until they reach their plan’s initial coverage limit. 

The Coverage Gap Stage

This stage begins after total drug costs have reached $4,020 (amount for 2020). You exit the Coverage Gap stage when total out-of-pocket costs (except for premiums) have reached $6,350 (again for 2020). Out-of-pocket costs include the annual deductible, as well as copayments or coinsurance. Additional coverage can usually be taken out to cover this gap. 

The Catastrophic Coverage Stage

Customers enter this stage after out-of-pocket costs have reached $6,350 (for 2020). During this stage, customers usually pay a low co-payment.

Choosing a Medicare Part D plan

To recap, here are the things to think about when weighing up Part D plans:

• Look into all aspects of the plan’s costs. This includes the premium (amount paid every month), deductible (amount paid before the plan starts to share costs), co-pay (fixed amount paid for prescription drugs after the deductible is met), and co-insurance (fixed percentage paid for prescription drugs after the deductible is met).
• Check the plan’s formulary before enrolling to make sure your prescription drugs are covered. 
• If a customer has a pharmacy that is convenient or one that is preferred, check whether the pharmacy is in a plan’s pharmacy network. In addition, some plans have preferred pharmacies within their networks with lower costs for prescription drugs.
• Finally, the state of a customer’s health should be a major factor when choosing. Ongoing, pre-existing conditions (such as diabetes) will play a large part in assessing which plans make the most financial sense. 

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What is Medicare?

Medicare is the name given to a federal health insurance program that was created by the US government in 1965. It was mainly created for people aged 65 and over though it was expanded in 1972 to include some people who were aged under 65 but who suffered from long-term disabilities.  

Today the Medicare program provides different levels of medical care for around 60 million people across the United States, meaning that they have access to ongoing health treatment and a feeling of better financial security. The program helps to pay for a variety of medical care services, including hospitalizations, physician visits, prescription drugs, preventive services, home health care and hospice care.

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What are the parts of Medicare? 

Medicare is split into four distinct parts (A, B, C and D), People may be eligible for some parts but not others, but they are broken down as follows:

Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility (SNF) stays, home health visits, and hospice care. Part A benefits are subject to a deductible and require coinsurance for extended inpatient hospital and SNF stays.

Part B covers regular physician visits, outpatient services, preventive services, and some home health visits. Many Part B benefits are subject to a deductible and coinsurance of 20 percent. No coinsurance or deductible is charged for an annual wellness visit or for preventive services that are rated ‘A’ or ‘B’ by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (these might include a mammography or prostate cancer screenings). 

Part C refers to the Medicare Advantage program, through which people can enrol in a private health plan, such as a health maintenance organization (HMO) or preferred provider organization (PPO). These people also receive the Medicare-covered Part A and Part B benefits and typically the Part D benefits. 

Part D covers the outpatient prescription drugs that are prescribed through private plans that contract with Medicare, including stand-alone prescription drug plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage (MA-PDs). Part D benefits help pay for drug costs - different plans are generally available depending on whether a potential customer is in need of regular, high-cost drugs, for example, or doesn’t require regular drugs or is just prescribed low-costa generic drugs. 

Who is eligible for Medicare? 

Most people ages 65 and over are entitled to Medicare Part A if they or their spouse are eligible for Social Security payments. People also do not have to pay a premium for Part A if they paid payroll taxes for 10 years or more. 

People under age 65, who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments, generally become eligible for Medicare after a two-year waiting period, while some people diagnosed with chronic diseases become eligible for Medicare with no waiting period.

The benefit gap

Although Medicare provides protection against the costs of many health care services, traditional Medicare coverage does suffer from relatively high deductibles and cost-sharing requirements. It also places almost no limit on what can result in very high out-of-pocket spending for the people it aims to cover, especially for services covered under parts A and B. 

Traditional Medicare does not pay for some services that many older people count as essential including dental services, eyeglasses, and hearing aids. In light of these financial gaps in Medicare’s stated benefits, many people end up having to take out supplemental health insurance coverage to cover the gap between the benefits of Medicare and the realities of the cost of medical services. 

The future of Medicare

As the population steadily ages, the demands on Medicare become ever more critical, and the challenges of offering future generations financial security as they face increased medical care costs become ever harder. 

The main concerns are tied in with prescription drug charges, particularly as speciality drugs become more and more expensive. To maintain the effectiveness of Medicare, a number of policies are under consideration. Most of them centre around a restructuring of Medicare, raising the eligibility age and also allowing people under 65 to buy into the Medicare program. 

It remains to be seen how effective these measures would be, should they come to fruition, but for now, the system still offers some respite from an increasingly expensive medical care field. 

If you've started searching the best health insurance companies, you might be struggling with a barrage of new terms that can be quite confusing. How do you know a co-pay from a deductible from an out-of-pocket? Here’s a brief glossary of some of the more common jargon that you might come across (for abbreviations of actual plans - HMO, PPO, etc - see our guide to beginning your search for a policy)

BASIC MEDICAL PLAN: As there name implies, this is a basic policy that pays expenses agreed upon in advance, and will usually have a low maximum. 

BENEFITS: These can be a wide range of services, including ongoing medical treatments, physiotherapy, mental health treatment - almost anything that the insurance company will pay for if and when you need treatment after taking out the policy. Be sure to know what benefits your policy will cover. 

CO-PAYMENT: An agreed-upon set cash amount that you will pay each time you use a particular service. For instance, seeing your primary care physician may require a co-pay of $20 per visit, depending on the policy. 

DEDUCTIBLE: The cash amount that you are responsible for before any of the benefits of the policy come into effect. For instance, if your deductible is $200 and your medical treatment costs $400, you will pay the first $200 with the insurance company picking up the rest. Again, this doffers from policy to policy. Lower premiums usually mean higher deductibles, and vice versa. 

EXCLUSIONS: Procedures and treatments that are not covered by your policy. This can be anything - for instance, cosmetic procedures - but check carefully with your insurance company. 

EXPLANATION OF BENEFITS: A clear statement issued by the insurance company listing the services received, the amounts covered by the policy and the sum for which you will be responsible for paying. 

IDENTIFICATION CARD: A card issued but he insurance company that shows you are eligible for treatment. You will need to present this card each time you visit a provider. 

MAJOR MEDICAL: A more expansive policy than the Basic Medical Plan, with higher limits na usually higher premiums. 

NETWORK: This is the list of approved medical practitioners and institutions that the insurance company will show you as you choose you plan. Many policies require you to stay within their network for treatment or visits as they have contracts with these companies for discounted services. Some policies let you go out of network for an additional fee. The larger the city or town that you live in, the larger your network is likely to be, so seeing this network can be especially important for people in smaller towns or rural areas. Make sure that the list of approved doctors and hospitals is likely to cover your requirements as straying outside of the network can be expensive depending on the policy you take out. 

OUT OF POCKET COSTS: These are simply the amount you pay for your policy (usually once per year). These will likely include any deductibles, but can also include any expenses that the insurance company deem out of the ‘ordinary’ (also known as ‘Usual and Customary’ -see below) so again, be sure to check with your policy vendor what this actually means for your specific policy. 

PRE-EXISTING CONDITION: This can be any medical condition that you have previously been diagnosed or treated for, usually up to three to six months before you take out the insurance policy. At the moment, it is illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage or raise premiums due to a pre-existing condition, but this is a hot topic and could change in the future. Again, make sure you ask about this when taking out a policy just to be sure. 

PREMIUM: The amount your health insurance policy costs. Although it seems intuitive to look for lower premiums, if you think you’re going to need regular medical care or you’re planing on having a baby, for example, it can sometimes be better to pay higher premiums as then your deductibles or co-pays can be lower. If you’re in good health and don’t envisage having to see a doctor very often, lower premiums are the best way forward. 

USUAL AND CUSTOMARY: These charges can also sometimes be referred to as ‘Reasonable and Customary’. This basically referee to routine charges by the medical professionals listed in the insurance company’s network. If you see a provider that charges more than the average for your network, then you may be susceptible to extra fees. Talk to your policy advisor before making any decisions on a healthcare provider - this is just good advice in general. 

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Many people enjoy health insurance courtesy of their employer, and if you’re fortunate enough to be one of them, the choice of company is made for you. If not, you will need to pick a plan from one of the best health insurance companies, but buying your own health insurance can be confusing, and navigating the marketplace can be intimidating. 

Individual needs vary immensely, and plans vary state by state, some available nationwide, others not. So where to start your search for the perfect policy for you? A good place to begin your search is at the website healthcare.gov, where you’ll either be directed to your state’s healthcare exchange or the federal marketplace. 

Types of health insurance plans

There are a lot of abbreviations to learn when you start shopping for health insurance. The most common types of insurance are HMOs, PPOs, EPOs or POS plans. Your choice of these will effect things such as what your out of pocket costs are likely to be and which doctors you can see. 

HMOs: Health Maintenance Organizations. These are best for lower out of pocket expenses and using a primary doctor who will direct your healthcare for you. This would include ordering tests, referrals to specialists, etc. You need to stay in the provider network other than real emergencies and referrals are needed for specialist procedures. 

PPOs: Preferred Provider Organizations: This is a better fit for you if you want more in the way of provider options without the need for referrals. You don’t have to stay in the provider network (though going outside of it is more expensive) and referrals are not necessary. 

EPOs: Exclusive Provider Organizations: This is kind of a half way house between the former two options, with lower out of pocket expenses than PPOs but also no requirement for referrals. You do have to stay in network, though, other than in case of emergencies. 

POS: Point Of Service: These have the same advantages of the HMO plans - lower out of pocket expenses and using a primary doctor who will direct your healthcare for you. You don’t have to stay within the network but you need a referral to go outside of the network and it will be more expensive. 

It’s important to weigh up your specific needs and the needs of any dependants you might have before deciding which kind of plan to go for. Obviously it’s hard to see into the future, but being aware of the general types can help you make an informed choice. 

Many people don’t want to have to see a primary care physician before being referred to a specialist, and so the other plans are a better fit for them. This is more work and research on the customer’s end, though, and with HMOs and POS plans, the doctor will do that work for you. 

An EPO plan is sometimes a good bet for a larger city that will be more likely to offer a wide range of in-network doctors. PPO plans may be more suitable for smaller towns and rural communities that have a more limited availability of network providers. 

Healthcare provider networks

The healthcare insurance companies have relationships with the providers in their network, and so when you see the doctors and specialists within your provider network, you’re getting a cheaper, pre-negotiated price. Seeing people outside the network means that the insurance companies – and eventually the customers – have to pay more. 

Many people like the doctor they have and want to keep seeing them. Therefore it’s important to check if your physician is in your insurance provider’s network. This is especially important outside of bigger cities. It makes sense to pass on those companies that have small provider networks. 

What are the out of pocket costs? 

Policies don’t cover the entire cost of seeing a doctor, so it’s essential that you find out how much you’re likely to have to pay for each part of your healthcare. A general rule of thumb is that the lower your monthly premiums are, the higher your out of pocket expenses are likely to be. 

There are some advantages to taking out a policy with higher premiums and therefore having a higher percentage of your out of pockets expenses paid. You may have to see a doctor frequently or routinely have to undergo emergency care or hospital procedures. You may require constant medication (especially if it’s brand named). You may be expecting a child or you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic condition. If you’re in good health and rarely see a doctor, then of course, lower premiums and higher our of pocket expenses are the way forward. 

What are the benefits? 

Another filter that you may need to apply to your choice is the range of wider services that come with your policy. This might cover things such as mental healthcare or ongoing physical therapy. It’s important to check which medications and drugs are covered in your plan, which wellbeing services, any maternity services if those are relevant, plus any international coverage if you travel often. Prepare a list of questions before you start looking for quotes so that you’re able to make the best informed choice. 

Summary of the process

Here are the steps you should take, then, which will at least make your decision easier and more informed: 

• Find out what your marketplace looks like and which plans are possible where you live
• Weigh up the various types of plan from HMO, PPO, EPO or POS plans, according to how suitable they are for you and your family members if you’re taking out a family plan
• You can easily eliminate the plans that don’t include your primary care physician in their network, if seeing them is important to you
• Consider your healthcare situation and decide if higher premiums or higher out of pocket expenses are going to offer you the best value
• Check that any regular care you need – from medications to physiotherapy and the like – is covered by your plan

You might find our handy guide to some of the health insurance jargon you may run across and what it means useful. If you're interested in more specific of health insurance companies, we've reviewed and rated the best dental insurance and best vision insurance plans. Planning further ahead and we round-up the best Medicare Part D plans. 

• Best dental insurance
• Best life insurance
• Best vision care insurance
• Best Medicare Part D plans 

Kaiser Permanente is – unusually for the United States – a nonprofit health insurance provider that operates across nine States and Washington, D.C. It currently operates in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Virginia, Oregon, Washington, and Ohio. The Kaiser Permanente organization currently services over 11 million healthcare members, and we've found it to standout for customer service in our guide to the best health insurance companies. Not in one of those nine states? Check the guide for other companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna that may be available to you. 

Kaiser Permanente has made a real name for itself in the States where the company is active, with competitively priced premiums and a comprehensive range of services. However, as an insurance provider, it does have limitations – namely that you are limited to the institutions and practitioners within its system. Therefore, it makes sense to do some research into the specific services in your region or state before weighing it up against its competitors. 

Most customers will begin their enquiries at Kaiser Permanente's website and then as their requirements are analyzed, they will quickly be linked up with their local partners and healthcare providers. The quotation and claims processes are theoretically as straightforward as any healthcare provider, and the mobile app has attracted special praise for its usability and features. 

Kaiser Permanente review: How much does it cost?

• Policies quoted were slightly lower than average
• Offers good side-by-side analysis of the various plans available
• Clear what customers could expect for their money

Quotes for health insurance policies vary dramatically depending on requirements and geographic locations, but overall, quotes for Kaiser Permanente were below average, particularly for more elderly customers. 

Kaiser Permanente offered a good side-by-side analysis of the various plans it could offer, and within the quotes listed, it was clear what customers could expect for their money. 

The website was intuitive and its mobile phone app is clean, straightforward and equally user-friendly. 

Kaiser Permanente review: Products

• Individual health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Employer plans
• Medicare plans

Kaiser Permanente plans are widely accepted at hospitals and doctor's offices across its coverage regions and states. Coverage options range from Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) to Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). PPO plans generally offer coverage for out-of-network providers, while HMO plans only offer out-of-network coverage in emergency situations. Kaiser Permanente also offers Medicare and Medicaid plans.

For dental and vision insurance, the Kaiser Permanente plans include access to a network of approved dentists across their serviced regions. 

Other resources available to Kaiser Permanente customers include a member portal that allows the 24/7 tracking of prescriptions and a dedicated customer service phone line. Members can download most of the paperwork they might need from the website. The Kaiser Permanente app has an especially attractive range of features that consistently receive good to excellent levels of customer satisfaction in surveys.

Kaiser Permanente review: Exceptional mobile app

• App for both iPhone and Android systems
• good reviews from customer surveys
• Can exchange messages with primary care physicians

Kaiser Permanente has an app for both iPhone and Android systems that has garnered good reviews from customer surveys. Within the app, customers can access their health insurance account details, make and set reminders for appointments, order medications and access medical records. Users can also exchange messages with their primary care physicians. 

Kaiser Permanente review: Medical centers

• Based throughout the regions covered
• One-stop shop for Kaiser Permanente customers
• Many of the centers also offer classes

Kaiser Permanente Medical centers are based throughout the regions covered by Kaiser Permanente. They are mostly a one-stop shop for Kaiser Permanente customers, meaning that customers can often visit the lab, radiology, specialists, pharmacy, and their primary care physician in the same visit. Many of the centers also offer classes, seminars and wellbeing programs. 

Kaiser Permanente review: Usability and user reviews

• Scores well in many customer satisfaction surveys
• Both Fitch and Standard & Poor rate it as financially very stable
• Central website is very straightforward and intuitive to use

Kaiser Permanente scores well in many customer satisfaction surveys. For instance, Kaiser Permanente scored the highest ratings possible in customer satisfaction during the 2017 Health Insurance Plan Study put on by JD Power and Associates. Kaiser ranked the highest in six regions; Maryland, South Atlantic, California, Virginia, Northwest and Colorado. User experience will obviously vary within geographic locations and for different services, but overall, Kaiser Permanente has very good user feedback. 

Both Fitch and Standard & Poor rate it as financially very stable, and Kaiser Permanente has very few complaints on the Better Business Bureau and other consumer forums compared to its competitors.

The Kaiser Permanente central website is very straightforward and intuitive to use, and customers are given a good range of policy options when submitting a query for a quote. There are links to each of the specific regions covered by Kaiser Permanente for more specific information about what is available in each area. Quotes do require a certain amount of personal information to be submitted, but this is nothing really beyond the industry standard. 

It’s easy to locate the FAQs, online help and customer service sections within the website, and customers can download most of the forms they might need for claims, for example. 

Should I choose Kaiser Permanente?

Kaiser Permanente stacks up well against its peers, with relatively low premiums, easy quotation process, straightforward websites and a well-liked mobile app. The lack of nationwide coverage could be a drawback for some people, even if they live within the coverage area (families that have children attending college out of state, for example) and Kaiser Permanente is definitely one of the more localized health insurance providers. However, it performs well and has a consistently high level of customer satisfaction, and it is well worth considering for potential customers in those regions and states where it is operational. 

As well as our guide to the best health insurance companies, we also look at how to choose a health insurance plan. You might also want to look at something more specific when it comes to health cover, in which case you'll find our guides to the best dental insurance and best vision insurance useful. Looking further ahead and we rate the best life insurance options and best Medicare Part D plans. 

Cigna is a health insurance provider that currently offers health insurance in 12 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. This is augmented by Medicare Advantage plans in 17 states and Medicare prescription drug plans in all 50 states. Cigna boasts around 13 million policyholders and is our pick for telehealth from our guide to the best health insurance companies, which includes companies likes Aetna and Kaiser Permanente. 

It employs over 35,000 people worldwide and has an annual revenue of around $32 billion. Its healthcare network embraces over 1 million healthcare professionals and institutions globally, and 68,000 pharmacies in the United States. Although the modern-day company was formed in 1982 from the merger of INA Corporation and Connecticut General Corporation, the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CG) was originally founded in 1865.

Within the United States, Cigna’s preferred provider network encompasses around half a million participating physicians. Company policy means that although referrals are not necessary to see an out-of-network provider, customers can obviously receive greater savings by using an in-network provider.

Cigna is generally well regarded by its customers in the states where the company is active, with average-priced premiums and a comprehensive range of services and benefits. However, as with all health insurance providers, experiences can differ regionally and locally, so it pays to research the options within a specific area for potential new customers. 

Most customers will begin the quotation process at Cigna's main website, which gives a clear overview of their services and products, and links potential customers to their regional and state-specific providers. 

The quotation and claims processes stand up well in terms of clarity and ease with its competitors, too. 

Cigna review: How much does it cost?

• Policies quoted were around average for the coverage they offered
• Cigna offered a good comparative analysis of the various plans
• Website and app both straightforward and equally user-friendly

Quotes for health insurance policies vary dramatically depending on requirements and geographic locations, but overall, quotes for Cigna were around the average price. 

Cigna offered a good comparative analysis of the various plans and packages it offers, and within the quotes listed, it was clear what customers could expect for their money. Some of the plans are listed in easy-to-compare Bronze, Silver and Gold packages, with deductible and coverage variations within these general frameworks. The website and mobile app were both straightforward and equally user-friendly. 

Cigna review: Products

• Individual and family health insurance
• Dental and vision insurance
• Nationwide pharmacy plans
• Short-term health insurance
• Global individual and group plans

Cigna plans are widely accepted at hospitals and doctor's offices across their coverage regions and states. Coverage options range from Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) to Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). PPO plans generally offer coverage for out-of-network providers, while HMO plans only offer out-of-network coverage in emergency situations. For dental and vision insurance, the Cigna plans include access to a network of approved dentists across its serviced regions. 

Other resources available to Cigna customers when they enrol through the website cigna.com include the ability to view and pay bills online, view the real-time status of any claims made, and the ability to search and find local healthcare providers. 

Cigna review: Telehealth access and support

• Can talk direct with a healthcare professional
• Two telehealth options
• Prescriptions can be sent directly to a local pharmacy

Telehealth is the use of computers and mobile devices that give customers access to healthcare over an internet connection 24/7. Eligible Cigna customers can connect 24/7 with board-certified doctors, licensed clinicians, or nurses through online video chat or phone. There are two telehealth options: talking to a nurse if the customer isn’t sure what kind of care they need (the nurse can help point them in the right direction) or an online doctor visit for minor conditions – if necessary, prescriptions can be sent directly from these online visits to a local pharmacy.

Cigna review: Bronze, Silver and Gold plans

• Three types of plan
• Very easy to compare levels of coverage
• None of them have maximum annual limits on a number of services covered

Some of Cigna’s plans are batched together under Bronze, Silver and Gold plans. These are very easy to compare levels of coverage, with out-of-pocket limits, deductibles, and other variables within the general health insurance arena. A notable feature of all the plans offered with Cigna is that none of them have maximum annual limits on a number of services they cover.

Cigna review: Usability and user reviews

• A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau
• Cigna operates a national call center, available 24/7
• Easy to locate the online help and customer service sections

Cigna has a very good overall customer service record. Multiple ratings websites record an impressive overall consumer satisfaction rating. Cigna operates a national call center, which is available to its customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. J.D. Power & Associates has awarded the call center its highest ranking for four consecutive years.

Cigna has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, with a good record of addressing customer complaints. Its financial clout, as measured by Standard and Poors, Fitch and Moody’s, is ranked as very strong overall. 

The Cigna main website is as straightforward and intuitive to use as any of its peers, and customers are given a good range of policy options when submitting a query for a quote. As is the industry standard, quotes do require a certain amount of personal information to be submitted, but this is nothing unusual. 

It’s easy to locate the online help and customer service sections on the website, and customers can search for and download most of the forms they might need for any aspect of their healthcare insurance.

Should I choose Cigna?

Cigna performs well when compared to many of its competitors, with average premiums, clear and intuitive websites and apps and a good range of added benefits, particularly its commitment to telehealth. The lack of complete nationwide coverage could be a drawback for some people. However, Cigna performs well in the states in which it has a presence and has a consistently high level of customer satisfaction, making it worth considering for potential customers in those regions. Its financial health is similarly reassuring.

As well as our guide to the best health insurance companies, we also look at how to choose a health insurance plan. You might also want to look at something more specific when it comes to health cover, in which case you'll find our guides to the best dental insurance and best vision insurance useful. Looking further ahead and we rate the best life insurance options and best Medicare Part D plans. 

National General Insurance is one of the industry leaders for short-term health insurance plans, covering all the basic healthcare needs and available for purchase at any time and across 35 states. Using Aetna's provider network, it can offer a wealth of provider options for its customers. For more information on other health care providers like Blue Cross Blue Shield, read our round up of the best health insurance companies.  

Short-term health insurance policies are great for people who may have missed open enrollment dates, who are in a probationary period at a new job and who are waiting for their company policies to take effect, and students who are leaving their parental coverage plans, among others. 

The company was founded in 1939 and was formerly known as GMAC Insurance. Customers can access the huge Aetna Open Choice PPO Network of 690,000 doctors and specialists as well as 5,700 hospitals. This provides a great deal of flexibility. In addition to coverage for doctor visits, urgent care, ER, and ambulance services, National General also provides telemedicine services, and patients can consult with doctors over the phone or online 24/7.  

The central website has a wealth of resources even for National General customers, and quotes are efficiently dispatched to match customers with the best healthcare insurance for their situation, with policies available from as early as the next day. 

National General Insurance review: How much does it cost?

• Quotes were above average for the industry
• Offered a good number of additional benefits
• A very good short-term fix for temporarily uninsured people

Quotes for health insurance policies vary dramatically depending on requirements and geographic locations. But overall, quotes for National General were above average for the industry but offered a good number of additional benefits, as well as being a very good short-term fix for temporarily uninsured people. 

National General’s website returned a good range of options after a quote request was submitted, and the options offered were clear and gave an accurate view of what customers could expect for their monthly premiums. 

National General Insurance review: Products

• Wide range of insurance products 
• Most popular products include short-term individual health insurance
• Customers also receive access to its telemedicine services

National General offers a wide range of insurance products for customers across its network. Its most popular products include short-term individual health insurance and dental insurance. 

National General insurance plans are accepted in 35 states and its healthcare network (via Aetna) of professionals and institutions numbers well over one million. Eighty years in the insurance industry and a robust financial status also help make National General maintain its well-established position.  

National General’s health insurance website is a portal for customers who, when buying a policy, also receive access to its telemedicine services (video or phone link to a health professional 24 hours a day, seven days a week) as well as a chance to download its mobile app, HealthNet. With both, customers get access to everything related to their Health Insurance, including real time submission of claims, policy documents, tables of benefits, eligibility & exclusions and searches of the provider network. Both the website and mobile app are clean, easy to read and intuitive when it comes to navigation. 

National General Insurance review: Key features

• Expansive Network and Flexible Plans
• Short-term Healthcare Policies 
• LIFE Association Membership

Key features include an expansive network, flexible plans, short-term healthcare policies and LIFE Association Membership. National General provides coverage across 35 states, using the Aetna network of healthcare providers. It offers good flexibility in terms of offering plans with differing levels of plan deductibles, coinsurance levels, out-of-pocket maximums and coverage period maximums. 

National General short-term plans provide coverage for all of the essential benefits, such as doctor visits, preventive care, hospital care, ambulance coverage and surgery. Note that they would not provide coverage for normal pregnancy, prescription medications and pre-existing conditions. The plans are highly customizable, though.

National General Insurance review: LIFE Association Membership

Customers that purchase an insurance policy through National General, automatically become enrolled in a LIFE Association Membership. This program provides access to a variety of benefits including telemedicine (as outlined above) and a variety of product and service discounts. This membership also provides discounts for everyday expenses such as subsidized gym memberships and there’s also a program that assists with cases of ID theft.

National General Insurance review: Usability and user reviews

• Plenty of reassuring independent ratings
• A+ rating and Accreditation from the Better Business Bureau
• Rated as excellent by the credit rating agency, A.M. Best

The expansive reach of National General’s network means that user experiences are likely to differ considerably region to region and with individual practitioners and institutions, but there are plenty of reassuring independent ratings that make the company a worthwhile choice. National General can boast a solid foundation, having been a leader in the insurance industry for some eighty years.  

The company generally has good reviews, including an A+ rating and Accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. They note that National General satisfies complaints in a timely manner and interacts with customers regularly. General customer reviews are positive with relatively (for the industry) few complaints regarding the filing process and payment of claims. National General has also been rated as excellent by the credit rating agency, A.M. Best. This indicates a strong reputation for creditworthiness and ability to pay claims and meet future financial obligations.

The National general website is very straightforward to use, with intuitive navigation for potential customers to ask for and receive quotes, as well as for existing customers to access their health records and upcoming appointments, and finding healthcare professionals in their region. 

Should I choose National General Insurance?

National General’s history in the industry and financial clout puts it in a good position, and specializing in short-term policies means that it is one of the industry leaders in this field. Although their policies come at above the industry average in terms of pricing, it's backed up by excellent ratings, additional programs and discounts and flexibility. Its plans are perfect for anyone temporarily without health insurance whether it is due to an employment situation or missing a sign-up window, and coverage is good for routine doctor visits, labs, x-rays, ER visits, ambulance usage and urgent care facilities.

As well as our guide to the best health insurance companies, we also look at how to choose a health insurance plan. You might also want to look at something more specific when it comes to health cover, in which case you'll find our guides to the best dental insurance and best vision insurance useful. Looking further ahead and we rate the best life insurance options and best Medicare Part D plans. 

Molina Healthcare is one of the best health insurance companies, and is our top pick for wellness, offering policies to the residents of 15 U.S. states: California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin. It insures around 3.5 million people across America. 

It employs over 20,000 people worldwide and has an annual revenue of around $20billion. The company was founded in California in 1980 by Dr David Molina with the aim of providing healthcare to underserved communities such as Hispanic and immigrant communities, looking to provide them with affordable, quality healthcare services rather than these families using the emergency room for general healthcare services.

Within the states where it operates, Molina’s preferred provider network encompasses around a million participating physicians and institutions. 

Molina is generally highly regarded by its customers in the states where the company is active, with premiums priced below average and a comprehensive range of services and benefits. However, as with all health insurance providers, experiences can differ regionally and locally, and so it pays to research the options within a specific area for potential new customers. 

Most customers will begin the quotation process at Molina's central website, which gives a clear overview of its services and products, and links potential customers to their regional and state-specific providers. The quotation and claims processes stand was comparable to its peers in terms of clarity and straightforward language. 

Not in a state in which Molina operates? Try one of our other health insurance provider picks like National General and UnitedHealthcare. 

• Best dental insurance
• Best life insurance
• Best vision care insurance
• Best Medicare Part D plans 

Molina review: How much does it cost?

• Policies quoted were lower than average for the coverage it offered
• Easy-to-understand comparison within the menu of services it offers
• Website and app were both as user-friendly as any on the market

Quotes for health insurance policies vary dramatically depending on requirements and geographic locations, but overall, quotes for Molina were lower than the average price of its competitors. 

Molina offers an easy-to-understand comparison within the menu of services it offers, and it was clear from its online literature what potential customers could expect for their premiums. Some of the plans are bundled into Minimum, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum plans, with various options within those levels as well. 

Both the website and mobile app, Molina HealthinHand were both straightforward and as user-friendly as any on the market. 

Molina review: Products

• Individual and Family Health Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Nationwide Pharmacy Plans
• Medicare, Medicaid and dual option plans

Molina health insurance plans are widely accepted at hospitals and doctor's offices across their coverage regions and states. Coverage options range largely across the Medicare and Medicaid range, with state-specific variations (such as Medical for California, for instance) and also a dual option Medicare/Medicaid plan called Mediconnect. Molina dental and vision insurance policies include access to a network of approved dentists across their serviced regions.

Molina Members can enjoy access to various resources when they enroll through the website, including eligibility status, covered benefits, viewing the real-time status of any claims made as well as any personal health records. Members can also of course view and pay any bills online. 

Molina offers various healthcare packages from the open marketplaces that operate within the HMO network. Even within these levels there are various options – for instance, the Silver level has four options within it, with varying co-pays, deductibles, etc, depending on the requirements of the customer. The Gold and Platinum plans both have zero deductibles. 

The Minimum Coverage plan is what’s known as a catastrophic plan where all care is paid out of pocket until the deductible is met, at which point coverage kicks in at 100%.

Molina review: Clinics, wellness plans and support

• Operates a number of physical clinics and health centers
• Offers discounted memberships to various wellness programs
• Runs a smoking cessation program

Molina operates a number of physical clinics and health centers in the states where it operates. It also offers discounted memberships to various wellness programs. For instance, Molina will enroll interested and eligible members into a local Weight Watchers program and provide free vouchers for up to six sessions. It also runs a smoking cessation program and will mail a quit-smoking pack to eligible members and provide access to a smoking cessation counselor. 

In some states, Molina operates a dual-option health insurance policy that coordinates the care required so that customers receive both Medicare and MediCal (in California, for example) benefits through a single plan.  

Molina review: Usability and user reviews

• Online healthcare portal is clear, concise and intuitive
• Customers are given a good range of policy options

Molina’s online healthcare portal is clear, concise and intuitive. It has pages and section separated by state so that customers can easily see which services and providers are available to them no matter where they live within the network. Customers are given a good range of policy options when submitting a query for a quote, whether it’s within the Medicaid or open-market arenas. 

Unsurprisingly, quotes do require a certain amount of personal information to be submitted, but this is nothing more than the industry standard. Its resources are easy to navigate and its mobile application, Molina HealthinHand, is also very simple to use. 

Should I choose Molina?

Molina performs well in the states in which it is available and is a popular choice, especially for lower-income families and individual customers. It may have moved away slightly from the altruistic goals of its founder, but it remains a good-value provider with lower than average quotes. The lack of complete nationwide coverage could be a drawback for some people, but it has a good selection of plans at reasonable rates.

As well as our guide to the best health insurance companies, we also look at how to choose a health insurance plan. You might also want to look at something more specific when it comes to health cover, in which case you'll find our guides to the best dental insurance and best vision insurance useful. Looking further ahead and we rate the best life insurance options and best Medicare Part D plans. 

United Healthcare, otherwise known as UHC, is one of the more recognizable healthcare insurance brands and operates across the United States. It offers much the same plans as its peers, with the choice for customers between Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) options, as well as some tailored short-term health insurance plans. The resources offered to customers are plentiful with each customer's personal account allowing access to a wealth of tools, forms, and programs. Its website and apps have garnered much praise, in fact, we named UHC ‘Most User-Friendly’ in our round up of the best health insurance companies, a list that includes other providers like Kaiser Permanente and Molina. 

UHC boasts some 115 million customers and an annual revenue of well over $200billion (2018). Its parent company, United HealthGroup, was founded in 1977 and brings decades of experience and expansion to the table. As such it is able to offer a wide range of health insurance plans, which is one of the company's biggest strengths.   

Customers begin their experience at their main portal and then, as their individual requirements become clear, are connected with local healthcare providers and institutions. The website is comprehensive and contains all the information you could need regarding available plans, premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses. 

United Healthcare review: How much does it cost?

• Quotes for UHC were slightly above average
• We always suggest pricing plans out for yourself
• UHC’s website returned a clear analysis of the various plans on offer

Quotes for health insurance policies vary dramatically depending on requirements and geographic locations, but overall, quotes for UHC were slightly above average. UHC does bring to the table a vast amount of resources and so many customers may feel that a slightly higher premium is worth the benefits. 

Your personal results may vary though, and we suggest selecting at least three health insurance companies and pricing out the plans for yourself. As with all the health insurance providers we reviewed, you can do this online in just a few minutes with a minimal amount of personal information.

UHC’s website returned a clear analysis of the various plans on offer and gave plenty of choice within the plans on offer. As noted, the website is very straightforward and intuitive and is one of the best on the market. 

United Healthcare review: Products

• Wide range of insurance products
• Widely accepted at hospitals and doctor's offices across the country
• Impressive online member portal that allows the customer 24/7 access

The UHC network of health care providers offers a wide range of insurance products. Some of their most popular products include:

• Individual Health Insurance
• Health Savings Accounts
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Corporate Health Insurance
• Medicare Advantage Plans

UHC plans are nationwide and widely accepted at hospitals and doctor's offices across the country. UHC offers both open-access, and in-network only plans. It has a large network of health care professionals, with some 790,000 physicians around the US, plus 200,000 dentists and 50,000 optometrists. That means that even if customers sign up for an in-network only plan, UHC has plenty of options when choosing a physician or healthcare provider. The sheer size of the network reaps benefits for the customer, who can take advantage of the economy of scale cost savings. UHC Coverage options range from Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) to Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). 

Other resources available to members include an impressive online member portal that allows the customer 24/7 access to all their relevant medical information. Extra features, including some not found on all health insurance company websites, include downloadable forms, tools to help customers locate a doctor, or other healthcare professional, real-time claims management (both for filing a claim and checking its status), prescription management and even a tool to estimate the costs of any procedures before customers commit to getting the work done. 

UHC provides coverage across all 50 states. Thanks to this reach, customers have access to a relatively wide selection of healthcare providers regardless of their location compared to other insurance companies. 

United Healthcare review: Wellbeing Programs and Member Discounts

• Number of wellbeing programs
• Cover a wide range of topics
• Access to discounts

UHC run a number of wellbeing programs that customers can gain access to. These cater to almost everyone from expectant mothers to elderly customers and wellbeing and fitness programs designed to run in the workplace. Customers also have access to discounts on items such as hearing aids, Lasik treatments, and more. 

United Healthcare review: Appointments and Claims Tools

• Easy-to-use tools such as MyEasyBook
• 24/7 access online to set up appointments
• Customers can easily view the status of their claims

UHC has some easy-to-use tools such as MyEasyBook, which gives customers 24/7 access online to set up appointments, and MyClaimsManager, through which customers can view the status of their claims, as well as viewing the entire process a claim goes through on its way to being approved or denied. 

United Healthcare review: Usability and User Reviews

• A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
• Excellent website and app
• Online quotation process is simple

Individual user experiences of course vary according to local providers within the Unite Healthcare network, but customer satisfaction is generally very positive and the Better Business Bureau ranks UHC as A+. JD Power ranks UHC’s vision insurance plans and customer service among the best on offer, and UHC has been in the top two providers in this sector for a number of years running. 

Singled out for particular praise should be both the United Healthcare's website and the UHC app, Health4Me. The main website offers the tools and features outlined above and is perfect for people who wish to conduct their healthcare business online or electronically. 

The mobile app provided by UHC is especially useful. UHC's Health4Me app both helps you locate a doctor and provides a real-time view of your online account. Customers can also check a claim's status, speak with a nurse at any time, order a prescription refill, email ID cards, check health records, and save medical contacts. One great feature is the myHeathCare Cost Estimator, which lets customers see how much a medical procedure would cost with their specific benefits before they commit to anything.

The online quotation process is simple, requiring the industry-standard submission of a basic amount of personal information. The comparison of the various plans suggested is very straightforward. 

Customers can get a head start on any claims processes, with UHC providing all the necessary forms (which are downloadable) and information that customers may need.  

Should I choose United Healthcare?

The Unite Healthcare name is well recognized and the company certainly has the scale and financial muscle to deliver many benefits to its customers. As noted, the premiums are slightly higher than average, but many customers may feel that the extra outlay is worth access to the huge, nationwide network and the many features that come with the online access and mobile app that UHC offer. In short, it’s worth looking at their plan quotes no matter where customers may be based, and though they may find that the quotes are a touch higher than some of their competitors, the extra features and discounts should be factored in. 

As well as our guide to the best health insurance companies, we also look at how to choose a health insurance plan. You might also want to look at something more specific when it comes to health cover, in which case you'll find our guides to the best dental insurance and best vision insurance useful. Looking further ahead and we rate the best life insurance options and best Medicare Part D plans. 

Humana is a well-established provider of health insurance, available since 2019 in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. It has an excellent range of services, most notably its home healthcare options, which are especially suited to older customers or those suffering from chronic pain or conditions that could affect a customer’s ability to live alone or have treatment outside the home. It's for that reason that we rate Humana as the one of the best health insurance companies and the best one for older customers. It rank among companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna.

Humana was founded in 1961 as Extendicare Inc, a nursing home company that started out in Kentucky and which was the largest nursing home company in the United States by 1968. According to the latest numbers published, Humana serves at least 13 million customers with healthcare insurance. 

Humana offers most of the regular features that the top healthcare insurance providers all offer, with additions such as Humana Guidance Centers (physical hubs for activities and seminars), a large bank of interpreters (200 languages according to its website) and a straightforward mobile app. The only real missing element is that it does not offer any short-term coverage plans.

Humana review: How much does it cost?

• Policies quoted were lower than average
• Good range of policy options for each quote
• website and mobile app were both intuitive and easy to use

For our quotes for health insurance policies vary dramatically depending on requirements and geographic locations, but overall, quotes for Humana were below the industry average – typically in the lower three or four quotes for each policy. Humana offered a good range of policy options for each quote and it was easy to compare the various options. The website and mobile app were both intuitive and easy to use.

Because your policy costs depend on multiple factors, our case studies are only benchmark guides. We encourage you to select three or more insurance providers and obtain quotes yourself to find the policies that best meet your individual needs. With all of the providers on our list, we were able to secure quotes in a matter of minutes, yet could save you hundreds of dollars a year

Humana review: Products

• Health Maintenance Organzation (HMO) plans
• Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans
• Private Fee For Service (PFFS) plans
• Special Needs Plans (SPNs)
• Dental and vision insurance

The most popular plans are the HMO and PPO Plans. With the HMO plan, customers are limited to using the professionals and institutions within the company’s network. This is usually the least expensive option. PPO plans offer slightly more flexibility, with the option to use out-of-network providers for an additional fee. The PFFS plans are typical of what can also be termed Traditional Indemnity Plans, and allow customers to use any healthcare provider they choose. This latter plan is the most expensive. 

Humana also offers supplemental options to Medicare recipients, including a partnership with Walmart pharmacies to offer a preferred prescription drug plan.

Humana has a range of dental plans available, the services and premiums for which are around the industry average, although wait times for procedures with the plans were better than average.  Humana’s vision insurance has an equally good range of products, especially for families, though it does have a smaller network.  

Other resources available to members include a member portal, MyHumana, that allows the 24/7 tracking of prescriptions and a dedicated customer service phone line. Members can download most forms that they might need for applications and claims. 

Humana review: Support

• Coverage across all 50 states
• MyHumana portal is available 24/7 online and through a mobile app
• Humana has a range of plans aimed at customers living with chronic pain

Humana provides coverage across all 50 states. Thanks to this reach, customers have access to a relatively wide selection of healthcare providers compared to other insurance companies.

The MyHumana portal is available 24/7 online and through a mobile app. The portal allows customers to find and print forms, pay premiums, manage plan benefits, access ID cards and view the status of any coverage or claims. The online help is backed up with the option for live chat with a representative and an online support community for customers on plans through their employers.

Humana has a range of plans aimed at customers living with chronic pain or any condition that means living alone and caring for oneself is difficult. These plans can also include transitioning from a hospital stay to home care, and a plan called Humana Well Dine that offers delivered, healthy meals to customers recovering from a procedure or facing an ongoing condition. 

Humana review: Usability and user reviews

• A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
• Webchat allows customers to have a full self-service experience online
• The presentation of plans was easy to understand

Humana has been accredited to the Better Business Bureau since 1998 and currently has an A+ rating. In 2019, J.D. Power ranked Humana third in its Medicare Advantage member satisfaction survey and number one in its 2019 Mail Order Pharmacy Segment of Customer Satisfaction Study (for the second consecutive year). Humana has received many awards, perhaps most notably the Dorland Health Award for insurance customers over 55. 

The various branches of the Humana online experience have regularly introduced enhanced web features to make it easier for customers to get the specific help they are looking for. The webchat feature allows customers to have a full self-service experience online, including the ability to chat directly with a pharmacist.

Most customers will begin their search for quotes and plans via the Humana website, before being connected with local Humana agents. The website is easy to navigate and intuitive, as is the mobile app both, so there’s an ease of use for both prospective and current customers. 

Online quotes require the submission of a basic amount of personal information, but it’s nothing outside the industry standard. The presentation of plans was easy to understand and the options were plentiful and straightforward to compare. As with all insurance enquiries, the process itself will vary depending on the individual claim and the geographic location it is being filed in.

Should I choose Humana?

Humana is the fifth-largest healthcare insurance provider in the United States, so it has a reassuring amount of financial capital behind it. The policies, as mentioned, are relatively affordable, though this only really applies to its HMO plans, but if a customer is happy with that and doesn’t mind a specific range of pharmacy options, then Humana is well worth considering. 

As well as our guide to the best health insurance companies, we also look at how to choose a health insurance plan. You might also want to look at something more specific when it comes to health cover, in which case you'll find our guides to the best dental insurance and best vision insurance useful. Looking further ahead and we rate the best life insurance options and best Medicare Part D plans. 

Premiums for healthcare plans offered through the Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) are set to drop by 4% in 2020.

As reported by The New York Times, patients in six of the 38 US states that have adopted the ACA will see prices fall by 10% or more next year, when 20 additional insurers are set to join the federal healthcare.gov exchange.

A total of 175 providers will be on offer as a result and the number of participating US states with only one Obamacare carrier will be down to just two – Delaware and Wyoming.

It also marks the second consecutive year prices for some of the best health insurance providers have fallen on the centralized marketplace.

Obamacare 2020 enrollment date is approaching

Perhaps ironically, the Trump administration is seeking to take credit for the drop in Obamacare prices, which sees an individual premium for the benchmark 'silver' plan costing an average $388 per month next year – or $1,520 per month for a family of four.

“The ACA simply doesn’t work and is still unaffordable for far too many. But until Congress gets around to replacing it, President Trump will do what he can to fix the problems created by this system for millions of Americans," said Alex M. Azar II, the secretary of health and human services, according to the NYT.

However, many experts credit the ACA price drop to the marketplace's natural maturation, with critics of the current government noting that the Oval Office is still supporting a court case seeking to overturn Obamacare on constitutional grounds.

Barring exceptional circumstances, open enrollment for 2020 Obamacare plans is set to start on November 1 and will close on December 15. 

You can learn more and apply at healthcare.gov.

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One of America's largest financial services providers has announced it will be reclassifying e-cigarette users as smokers for the purposes of calculating insurance premiums.

Prudential Financial, which features in our guide to the best life insurance providers, announced that it will be making the switch over the coming weeks in a statement emailed to the press.

“Increased attention on vaping over the past few months and linkages to a few deaths and multiple illnesses, have resulted in warnings from the FDA, federal government and some states banning the use of flavored e-cigarettes," it said, as reported by Bloomberg.

The company added: "In the coming weeks, and consistent with industry shifts, Prudential will reclassify users of e-cigarettes to treat them as smokers and in line with our cigarette smoking guidelines."

Previously, e-cigarette users were not classified as smokers by Prudential, but the rethink will mean its life insurance policies cost more for nearly all e-cigarette and vape users going forward.

• Read our Prudential life insurance review

Clouds of danger

The move is the latest twist in the ongoing health scare surrounding e-cigarette usage.

Reports of vaping-related lung illness have exploded in recent weeks, with over 1,000 cases logged across 48 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to October 1 figures from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Most patients report a history of using THC-containing products, and the overwhelming proportion are male (70%) and under the age of 35 (80%).

• Read more: What is CBD?

The CDC has also linked 18 deaths to electronic forms of smoking, with a number of leading retailers – including  Walmart, Walgreens and Kroger – halting sales of e-cigarettes and related products as a result. 

Representatives for several other life insurance providers, including New York Life Insurance Co., Brighthouse Financial Inc. and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co, had declined comment to Bloomberg at the time of publication.

More insurance guides:

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The best auto insurance doesn't have to cost the earth, but you can still make a big difference on the final price you pay if you're a little bit savvy. 

The good news is if you're looking to make some pretty hefty savings you've landed in the right place to learn how to get yourself cheaper car insurance right now. In the same way that you can save on the best roadside assistance services, it's just a matter of knowing where to look. 

You don't have to do anything too challenging to save money on your car insurance either and you can still enjoy the same level of high quality, reassuring care – just without breaking the bank. 

Save that money over time and you could end up with enough cash to invest in a better, safer car for the future too, making this a saving while also actually enhancing your safety cover beyond the insurance itself.

How can I get cheaper car insurance?

There are a few quick and easy ways to save money on your car insurance. The best place to start is using a few comparison websites to get quotes on the car insurance offerings out there. But even this needs to be done right to make maximum savings.

Tips like changing your job title to something more generic or adding another driver are just a few basic tricks, so read on to find out everything you need to know to start saving money now.

1. Get cheaper car insurance by changing your job title

It might sound like a small thing to change but by adapting your job title you can actually shave a large chunk off your insurance premiums. Don't worry though, we don't mean you need to lie by saying you're aa office worker when you actually work in a zoo – although that might be more accurate depending on the office. We mean simply adjusting the title to be more generic.

For example if you say that you are a Chef, you could end up paying more on your insurance than if you simply said you work as Kitchen Staff. Since you aren't required to give specific details on your application, this is perfectly acceptable – you may simply not want to share that much personal detail with the company. Regardless of your reasons, by making the choice to share fewer specifics you can save dollars.

Other examples include a Music Teacher paying more than a Teacher, an Office Manager paying more than an Office Administrator and a Construction Worker paying more than a Builder.

2. Save money on car insurance by adding another driver

This is a classic technique which can save you lots of money. While you can't legally say someone else is the main driver if that's you, it is alright to add another driver to the policy. If that driver is more experienced and has a good history, it can work in your favor.

If you're a younger driver, or have had accidents and claims in the past, this technique could help to save you plenty of money. Simply find someone with a good clean driving license and a number of years with no claims and not only do they get the option to drive your car but you can save money in the process.

3. Cut car insurance costs by paying upfront

This is a simple one but if you can afford to pay your entire fee for the year up front then you'll make a saving in the long run. By paying monthly you end up paying APR which costs you in the long run. If you don't have the cash, that doesn't necessarily mean you lose out. 

There are plenty of interest free credit cards out there. It could save you money by paying on that card and then paying it back before the interest kicks in. This could save you hundreds of dollars so may be worth the extra effort of sorting this through the credit card option.

4. Car insurance savings can be made by buying early

When the time comes to renew your car insurance make sure you're ready to go. That means start shopping around for a great car insurance deal a few weeks early rather than a few days before it's due. 

As long as you're more than 21 days ahead of your renewal time you could make a big saving on your car insurance. This might mean jumping to another insurer but if that also means saving money it may well be worth the effort.

5. Save money on car insurance by using a cashback site

Some websites offer cashback if you switch car insurer with them. This is because there is usually a referral fee offered to sites from the insurer, which you can claim for yourself if you go through one of these sites.

The best way to utilize this is to shop around and find the insurance you want, then go and see what cashback you can get for switching via that site. This is a good way to do it so you don't end up jumping on a deal that looks good for cashback but ends up costing you more on car insurance in the long run.

6. Get cheap car insurance by increasing your deductible

When the worst happens and you need to make a claim on your car insurance, you will have to pay a deductible fee. This amount can vary and in the case of many insurers is something you can set when you take out your policy.

As you might expect if you go for a higher deductible you can save money upfront on your insurance premium. So if you're a very safe driver and don't expect you'll claim on your policy it could pay to save money by going for a higher deductible.

7. Cut car insurance costs by fitting an alarm

The more secure your car is, the less likely that it will be stolen, meaning the less likely an insurer will have to pay out. So car insurers will often give you a cheaper policy if you manage to show that your car is super secure.

This can mean storing the car in a garage overnight but since that's not an option for everyone, a car alarm can help. There are plenty of aftermarket options but it pays to shop around and find one that insurance companies recognise, to make sure you save the most money.

8. Get cheap car insurance by driving better, tracked

Many insurers will now give you the option to let them track your driving. This can mean having a box installed in your car or simply by using an app. Either way, if your driving is safe and the insurer sees this, then when you come to renew you can make a big saving on your policy.

This involves things like driving speed, braking and if you drive at night a lot. Presuming you're safe, you can save money, but if you're not then avoiding this could also save you money as premiums can go up if you're tracked and found to be a risky driver. 

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Amica Auto Insurance: What you need to know

Amica Auto insurance is an old-timer in the world of mutual auto insurance, the oldest apparently, having been started in 1907 in Rhode Island. It's since gone national but still hasn't grown to the scale of the competition like Allstate or State Farm. But this appears to be a good thing as the customer retention rate is about 95% and the average complaint rate is lower than the national.

The idea is to offer a personal service with lots of flexibility which is achieved through direct contact with Amica representatives, rather than insurance agents.

This appears to have been achieved as the JD Power 2018 results found that on both customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction surveys Amica scored higher across the board than any other auto insurer.

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Aside from the excellent customer service and flexible billing plans, other positives offered are online policy management for small changes and 24/7 customer care.

There are also lots of discounts available ranging from anti-theft and restraint system offers to auto pay and homeowner discounts and plenty more in between. That'll be the flexibility that Amica talks about then.

Covering 50 states plus Washington D.C. the A++ superior rated service offers both comprehensive and collision coverage. There's also gap insurance which is ideal for those still paying off their car loan. 

Policies: How much does Amica Auto Insurance cost?

• Quotes well below average, whether you're young or old, male or female
• Huge selection of discount options

While policy options vary at the best of times this is even more so with Amica thanks to that flexibility and huge selection of discount options. As such, giving you a price is difficult. 

That said, when compared to the competition Amica does well. For example a quote for a 22-year-old single male came in at $987, compared to $1,373 for Allstate and $1,911 for State Farm, although Geico was lower at $815.

For a 25-year-old single female Amica was $893, with Geico lower at $790 but Allstate higher at $1,153 and State Farm the most expensive at $1,204.

For a late twenties married couple Amica charged $878 while Geico was $788, Allstate $1,049 and State Farm $1,156.

Amica Auto Insurance: Discounts

• Excellent selection of discounts
• Plenty of policy options

Amica is one of the best, if not the best, auto insurers when it come to discounts with lots of options available. Policy discounts include money off for:

• Multi-line – if auto insurance is bundled with another offering from Amica
• Claim-free – three years of no claims gets a discount
• Multiple auto – more than one car on the same policy
• Loyalty – stay with Amica for more than two years
• Paid in full – pay your entire premium before the first bill is due
• Auto pay – set your account up to bill you automatically
• E-discount – get your bills and information online rather than mail

The discounts don't stop there, you also get ones for your vehicle specifically. These are:

• Anti-theft – get an anti-theft device installed in your car
• Electronic stability – save if you car has an electronic stability feature
• Passive restraint – get a discount if your car has airbags
• Forward-collision warning – save if your car helps you avoid crashes
• Adaptive headlights – headlights that adapt to the light can save you money

Amica Auto Insurance: Free rewards

• Covered to have your airbag repaired, if it ever deploys, for free
• Glass replacement won't stand against your no claims discount

The freebies when you sign-up to Amica are plentiful. For a start you'll be covered to have your airbag repaired, if it ever deploys, for free.

If you lose your keys, or have them stolen, you can claim a free lock replacement on Amica. 

If your glass needs a repair you won't need to worry as that won't stand against your no claims bonus. Also you pay no deductible for the service at the time either.

If the worst happens and you end up going to court then Amica will fully cover you for any lost earnings from your missed work during that time.

Amica Auto Insurance: Rewards and fraud monitoring

• Offers Fraud monitoring
• Rental car reimbursement 

Amica shows that it's in this for the long-term with services like fraud monitoring and advantage rewards.

The advantage rewards are attained by letting you earn points for good driving, time with the company or for adding new customers or adding other policies. These points can then be spent on things like accidental forgiveness to prevent a price increase if you have an accident, or to pay down the deductible.

There is also a 24/7 fraud-monitoring service which monitors three major credit bureaus. You also have access to a fraud specialist should your identity be stolen. 

Another reward of sorts comes in the form of rental car payments with up to $5000 given towards a car rental of a comparable car if yours is in an accident.

Amica Auto Insurance: Repair anywhere

• You can go to wherever is most convenient to you for repairs
• Amica does have a list of recommended facilities

Most insurance companies dictate where you need to take your car should it need work but Amica is different. That means that if you get in an accident you can go to wherever is most convenient to you. 

You might think that means you can take this to your buddy, and you can if you want. Amica does have a list of recommended facilities for those who want it but essentially you're free to pick where you want.

Amica Auto Insurance: User Reviews

• 5 star rating overall from J.D. Power
• 2 star rating from ConsumerAffairs

Amica is a local focused service that has moved onto the national scale. It's apparently done this well as it's getting very good ratings across the review platforms.

According to the 2018 J.D. Power study, for customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction Amica was rated as one of the best services in the country.

ConsumerAffairs gives far fewer ratings for this company but of the few it's mainly complaints. This is odd since as a company it has a low level of complaints  in comparison to the average. Most complaints stem from advertised potential savings not being matched when a quote is made rate increases over the years.   

Amica Auto Insurance: Verdict

Amica Auto insurance is one of the most highly rated in the country when it comes to customer satisfaction. This is likely not only thanks to great customer service, with an Amica representative available to help, but also thanks to superb discounts and masses of flexibility. The freebies like glass replacement and airbag repairs are top positives as is the ability to pick your garage of choice when getting repairs.

The lack of digital information available may be a negative for some but with human help available when you need it this appears to keep most people happy – 95 percent customer retention appears to say so anyway.

Travelers Auto Insurance: What you need to know

Travelers Auto Insurance is one of the country's largest and oldest car insurers and as such offers some of the most extensive services coupled with many of the best prices. The result is an auto-insurance offering that can be personalized to find an ideal solution for most people.

While this sounds ideal, there are known issues with claims, which mean this service may not be for everyone if an easy life is what you're after when a claim crops up. As a service that's been in business since 1853, expectations are likely higher for service quality, but some customers have not felt the service met their needs when it comes to claims ease.

All that said, this is an excellent option for anyone looking at benefits that give them discounts for things like hybrid or electric cars, students that get good grades, multi-car savings and plenty more.

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Travelers offers cover to 43 of the states, including Washington, DC, so immediately it won't be for everyone. However, thanks to its size, the financial strength of the company gets an A++ Superior rating from the AM Best financial strength rating. So you can rest easy knowing your investment isn't going to be lost anytime soon.

If you have multiple cars, or want other types of insurance from Travelers and hope to get savings from good driving habits, then this is an ideal insurer for you. 

Policies: How much does Travelers Auto Insurance cost?

• Average quotes across age ranges
• A quote for a 22-year-old single male came in at $1095

Pricing varies depending on a lot of factors including age, driver history, credit rating, location, car type and more. But these numbers give you a rough idea of pricing compared to the competition out there.

A quote for a 22-year-old single male came in at $1095, compared to $1096 for Allstate and $1230 for State Farm, although Geico was lower at $620.

For a 31-year-old single female Travelers was $885, with Geico lower at $544 but Allstate higher at $967 and State Farm in at $909.

For a mid sixties married couple Travellers charged $646 while Geico was $524, Allstate $881 and State Farm $574.

Travelers Auto Insurance: Accident forgiveness

• Travelers has a fairly generous accident forgiveness program
• Premium Responsible Driver Program rewards accident-free driving

Travelers has been around for over a century so it knows how the roads really work. As such it isn't going to penalise you for the odd mistake. That means that if you have an accident you won't have your premiums put up, as long as it doesn't happen more than once in a 36-month period.

On top of that you're also granted one minor offense in that time span. This is all part of the Responsible Driver Plan so look out for that benefit on your policy if this sounds like something you'll benefit from.

There is also the Premier Responsible Driver Program which offers the above as well as decreasing the deductible by $50 for every six months of accident-free driving, topping out at $500 off your deductible. In the case of your car being totaled, the deductible is waived in this program.

Travelers Auto Insurance: New-car replacement

• Up to 5-year-old car replaced for a new model if it's totaled
• You could end up getting an even better car than your original 

If you end up in a bad accident that means your favourite new car gets totaled, it may not be the worst thing if you're insured with Travelers. This is because the insurer will replace your car, as long as its newer than five years old. 

This is a make and model replacement meaning you could end up getting the newest model that's even better than your original car. Although you may have to read the finer print about what it means by model – if that includes extras for that model which you paid more for, is less clear.

Travelers Auto Insurance: Gap insurance

• Gap insurance helps cover remaining costs on a totaled car
• Important consideration for anyone who's bought a new car with a loan

Travelers gap insurance is ideal for anyone who has got their car on a loan and is still paying that off. If you were to total that car then some insurance would leave you still having to pay back the car which is no longer on the road.

This is where gap insurance comes in useful as Travelers will pay back the difference between the value of your damaged car and the amount remaining on its loan so you don't have to worry about repayment problems. 

This is important to have for anyone who has recently bought a car and still owes a lot on the value.

Travelers Auto Insurance: IntelliDrive

• Can help you lower your premium
• Only available in 31 states

Travelers IntelliDrive allows you to save money by allowing your driving to be tracked. This is done using an app which will measure metrics about your driving like speed, time of day, braking and acceleration habits.

This builds up a picture of how you drive and, consequently, what kind of driver you are. If you can drive with good habits for 90 days then when your renewal comes up it's possible for you to save up to a massive 20 percent. The downside is that if your driving habits are more risky than expected then your rates could actually go up.

While this is a good option for lots of drivers it is limited since it's currently only available in 31 states.

Travelers Auto Insurance: Ridesharing insurance

• Travelers now caters for the needs of ridesharing taxi drivers
• Only available in Colorado and Illinois

Like many of the other big name auto insurers, Travelers now caters for the needs of ridesharing taxi drivers. This is for drivers who use app based systems like Uber or Lyft. They offer cover when on the job but not in between.

The ridesharing cover from Travelers means that going to work the driver is also covered. The catch? It's only available in Colorado and Illinois.

Travelers Auto Insurance: User Reviews

• 3 star rating overall from J.D. Power
• 2 star rating from ConsumerAffairs

Travelers, as one of the biggest and oldest insurance players, has plenty of reviews and online feedback out there as well as rankings in the usual bodies that determine the best insurers.

According to the 2018 J.D. Power study, Travelers got a three out of five rating with positives for the estimation process, rental experience and claiming service – all getting four stars. But it was less impressive, but still good, with three stars for the repair process and first notice of loss.

ConsumerAffairs gives a poor rating but that's only based on 41 user reviews. This appears to be due to people only coming here to give negative reviews while the positive reviewers haven't bothered to give feedback. 

Travelers Auto Insurance: Verdict

Travelers Auto Insurance is one of the oldest and largest insurers in the US. All that experience appears to have resulted in a comprehensive selection of benefits and features that allows customers to create a plan of cover that's ideal for them. 

Positive points include great rewards for eco-friendly cars and safe driving techniques. Negatives focus on the claims process which could be more simple.

With a similar price to the big-name competition, slightly undercutting in some cases, this is a compelling insurer that's got enough financial strength to help set any customer's mind at rest.

Progressive Auto Insurance: What you need to know

Progressive Auto Insurance is one of the most affordable ways to insure your vehicle thanks to its cheap policies and strong financial backing from this huge US insurance firm.

The company is well known for its fast claims process, which is impressive when you look at how widely its policies cover customers. There are a lot of discounts available too, thanks to these many features. For example, rewards for good driving or even for students doing well, are just some of the incentives Progressive offers.

This is a modern system though, so don't expect to find brick-and-mortar stores anywhere. In fact, don't expect to find coverage in all states either, so be sure to look into yours before you go any further.

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Progressive uses a direct model in order to keep its rates as low as possible to undercut the competition. But be warned, this does mean a lot of the features we're going to talk about below could be optional add-ons to your policy. As such always be sure to check you're covered for anything specific you require before you sign-up. In the case of Progressive, if you need it, you can likely add that feature onto your policy anyway.

Policy extras like pet cover and car mod payouts are just some of the offerings you can enjoy.

Policies: How much does Progressive Auto Insurance cost?

• Minimum cover: $924
• Comprehensive cover: $2393

Pricing will vary based on plenty of factors that include age, driver history, credit rating, location, car type and more. So, these numbers give you an idea of pricing compared to the competition out there. These prices below use the average for all numbers to give you a broad idea.

Progressive offers a minimum cover policy for an average $924 compared to State Farm's $712, Geico's $812 and Allstate's $1390.

Go for full comprehensive cover and you'll be looking at an average charge of $2393 from Progressive compared to $3545 from Allstate, $1737 from State Farm and $2158 from Geico.

Progressive Auto Insurance: Snapshot

• Offers benefits to those drivers who drive more carefully
• For discounts, requires you to be tracked

Progressive wants to make the roads safer and so it offers benefits to those drivers who drive more carefully. In order to assess if you qualify as a safe driver, and can then get a discount, you need to be tracked. This is done with a free opt-in program which uses a device that plugs into your car. This collects driving data like speed, how much and when you drive and more. 

Progressive uses this data to adjust your premium rate down or up next time you renew. Yup, it can go up too, so if you're a heavy footed driver you might want to avoid this. That said, you do get an automatic discount just for signing up.

Benefits also work for a deductible savings bank. If you have comprehensive and collision coverage then you can opt into this program to reduce your deductible every six months you don't make a claim, by $50. This carries on until your deductible reaches zero.

Progressive Auto Insurance: Pet injury protection

• Will cover your pets in the car too
• All vets bills paid for if you pet is in the car at the time of an accident

In a rather unique offering, Progressive will cover your pets in the car too. This is covered if you opt for collision coverage.

That means that if you're in an accident and your pet is in the car at the time and gets hurt, all your vet bills will be paid for. This is a great option for anyone who has animals in the car on a regular basis.

Progressive Auto Insurance: Gap insurance

• Will help you pay back your car loan
• Pays up to 25% above the value

Progressive will help you pay back your car if you still owe on it and end up in an accident that totals the vehicle. 

The gap insurance policy will pay up to 25% above the value of your vehicle meaning it should be enough to cover the remainder of your loan or lease. This is a really nice option as paying that off when you can't use the car could be a very painful process. 

Progressive Auto Insurance: Roadside assistance

• Will pay for help if you need it when you're stuck out on the roadside
• Covers lots of different situations from a flat tire to a breakdown

Progressive will pay for help if you need it when you're stuck out on the roadside. By paying for this you're able to use a service nearby for the quickest recovery then claim it back later, rather than being locked in.

This will cover lots of different situations from a flat tire or dead battery to a breakdown, running out of gas or if you've locked your keys in your car. You can simply call up, get saved, then worry about the claims later. But don't worry, as Progressive is good at claims payments.

Progressive Auto Insurance: Ridesharing insurance

• Covered by Progressive for 32 states and the District of Colombia
• Gives you full cover all the time

Ridesharing insurance is covered by Progressive for 32 states and the District of Colombia. This applies to taxi drivers who work using app-based services like Uber and Lyft. While these companies offer cover when on a job, that doesn't cover in between jobs.

Progressive ridesharing insurance gives you full cover all the time so even when you're going to a job or coming home, you're still protected on the roads.

Progressive Auto Insurance: Custom parts

• Offers cover for those who like to add extras to their vehicles
• Any custom parts added will also be covered

Progressive offers cover for those who like to add extras to their vehicles. That means any custom parts of equipment that's been added to your car, inside or out, will also be covered on top of the value of the vehicle.

This part of the policy will mean you can claim a pay out to fix a specific part of the car after it has been damaged.

Progressive Auto Insurance: User Reviews

• 3 star rating overall from J.D. Power
• 4 star rating from ConsumerAffairs

Progressive is a huge insurer so has lots of feedback which generally is good but the issues are clear from the general consensus.

According to the 2018 J.D. Power study, Progressive earned a three-star rating for claims handling and shopping. It also got a three star rating for rental experience and repair process making it decidedly average according to these studies.

ConsumerAffairs typically gives lower ratings so it's impressive that Progressive has scored nearly four stars from 2,721 reviews. Positives include good discounts, fast claims and exceptional customer service while negatives were lack of discounts in all states and no brick-and-mortar stores. 

Progressive Auto Insurance: Verdict

Progressive is one of the largest insurance firms out there, meaning you can get a huge selection of features for your policy at competitively low rates. It also means you can expect great customer service and a quick claims process. 

While not every state is covered and there is a lack of brick-and-mortar shops, you can rely on a strong financial position that results in reliable cover. For those with pets in vehicles, those with car modifications or those who have claimed previously, Progressive is a great option as an affordable auto insurer.

State Farm Auto Insurance: What you need to know

State Farm Auto Insurance is the largest auto insurer in the entire nation meaning it gets the balance right between being a well-known brand name but offering a decent selection of products at consumer-friendly prices. 

State Farm looks after its customers that stay with the company by not automatically raising rates when policies renew, something customers report really enjoying. 

Since this is a nationwide company, across 50 states, you can get access to a local agent, of which there are 18,000, to file a claim or to simply have a chat with about any questions you need answered.

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State Farm Auto Insurance offers benefits for safe drivers which extend beyond adults to good teen drivers. This is quite a rare offering that could help younger new drivers earn a more affordable policy which lets them get on the road early. 

There's even a reward scheme which offers savings to students that have a good grade average – a nice idea to entice parents into using this service.

State Farm is a large company and also offers home insurance. If you need this too then you could make a saving as it does offer reductions and bundle benefits for taking more than one policy out at a time with the company.

Policies: How much does State Farm Auto Insurance cost?

• Low-cost car coverage: $530
• High-cost car coverage: $688
• Market-leading 20/65/20 quotes

Policies aren't one set price and vary based on lots of factors including the car value, your credit and driving history, age, location and more. So pricing here is a rough guide based on the average user taking out the state recommended 100/300/100 policy.

We tested using low-value and high-value cars costing above and below $25,000 but with lots of other factors playing a part, this is to be taken as a rough idea.

For both low and high-priced cars State Farm sat slightly below the national average. So for a low cost car that's around the $530 mark and for a high priced vehicle it's closer to $688 price.

For a state minimum requirement which is usually 20/65/20 we got the lowest prices, meaning there are savings to be made here.

Teen driver policies, which can represent an 80 percent price bump were at the lower end of the scale for State Farm.

State Farm Auto Insurance: Rental and expenses

• Complimentary rental car
• Expenses covered when over 50 miles from home

For car rental, when your car is in the shop after a collision, State Farm offers one of the best services. The insurance company will pay for a rental car for you but on top of that you get expenses too.

Expenses include things like meals, transportation and even lodgings. These all apply only if you're stranded more than 50 miles from your home. This coverage is also limited by state so may vary where you are.

State Farm Auto Insurance: Drive Safe & Save

• System encourages safe driving
• Discounts up to 50% for safe drivers

State Farm offers a reward system that allows you to enjoy benefits for being a safer driver. This is called Drive Safe & Save which is a usage based program that calculates discounts based on your mileage and safe driving measurements. These include things like your driving speed or the time of day that you're driving most often.

You can get a discount of up to 50% once your driving behavior has been analyzed. The availability of this service and the discounts that you get from it won't be the same everywhere.

State Farm Auto Insurance: Steer Clear Driver Program

• Online refresher course can help young drivers
• Aimed at drivers who are under 25

Another feature that State Farm offers is the Steer Clear Driver Program which is designed to make you a safe driver. The idea being that if you're a better driver the insurance company can rely on you and so can charge you less on your policy.

The course itself is a driver refresher course which is available online, through an agent or using the mobile app. This course is aimed at drivers who are under 25 and have had no at-fault accidents or moving violations in the last three years.

State Farm Auto Insurance: Ridesharing insurance

• Ridesharing cover offered in 46 states
• Covers both personal and ridesharing use

State Farm offers cover for drivers of taxi services that use apps like Uber or Lyft. 

Since some of these companies only give cover when the driver is active in a job there is risk when in between pickups. This policy from State Farm aims to fill in those gaps so you're always covered. The cover is a single policy that covers both personal and ridesharing use. 

This is available for 46 US states and the District of Columbia.

State Farm Auto Insurance: Online resources

• Website is filled with online resources for you
• Tips on day-to-day responsibilities when owning a vehicle

If you head over to the State Farm site it's filled with online resources for you. There's lots available to you, beyond insurance alone. There are lots of articles you can use to inform yourself on how to act in situations like in the event of your car being totaled. 

You can also get simple things like tips on day-to-day responsibilities when owning a vehicle. This includes useful details like how to jump-start a car, how to protect it from sun damage or how to properly use the driver safety systems.

State Farm Auto Insurance: What the users say

• 3 star rating overall from J.D. Power
• 4 star rating from ConsumerAffairs

State Farm Auto is a well reviewed service with high financial solvency.

According to the 2018 J.D. Power study, the overall customer satisfaction score put this up there as one of the highest rated providers.

ConsumerAffairs gives a four-star rating for average customer reviews with positive for safe driver discounts, basic coverage and online portal access but negatives for no accidental forgiveness and options not spreading across all states.

State Farm Auto Insurance: Verdict

State Farm Auto is the biggest auto insurer in the US meaning it covers all 50 states and has over 18,000 agents. The service is heavy on the rewards for safe drivers and those that are willing to do training, including students and younger drivers.

The app isn't great but the online portal has a huge selection of assistive features. The lack of accidental forgiveness as an option may be a deal breaker for some but other than that most features are there.

Bundle discounts are also another positive feature. There are also lots of options for both basic and comprehensive coverage with the rates just below that of the national average. 

Allstate Auto Insurance: What you need to know

Allstate Auto Insurance isn't the most affordable car insurance out there, but that is because it offers lots of features and services aimed at making your cover better. This means you can save money over time through good driving but also that you can expect superb cover should anything go wrong during your cover period.

Allstate has an AM Best agency rating of A+ Superior for financial strength so this is at the scale where you can relax knowing your claim should be paid quickly. With complaints less than average the way this company works appears to be to the liking of its customers.

The inclusion of a mobile app is a big deal for Allstate as it uses the phone's camera to allow you to upload lots of important information so the claims process can begin right there and then immediately after an accident has happened.

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Allstate also offers lots of incentives to encourage you to drive well and safely, including money off your policy when you go for certain periods without any accidents or claims.

Thanks to a guarantee process from the company, if you're not happy at any point after a claim has been handled then you are eligible to get credit back for the inconvenience caused. 

If you opt to use the tracking app it's possible to save even more money off your policy for driving responsibly. So while pricing may start at the higher end it's possible to bring that down over time if you're a good driver.

Policies: How much does Allstate Auto Insurance cost?

• Low-cost car coverage: $566
• High-cost car coverage: $702
• 20/65/20 coverage: $329

Policy options vary widely for everyone due to the car, age of the driver or location in the US. Also the car type will affect the quote, as will your history. We tested quotes with the industry recommended level of cover, 100/300/100.

We got quotes for a car that's the most expensive to insure and one from the least pricey – but other factors beyond value to play a part so take that as a rough guide. Compared to that average the Allstate quotes were a little on the higher side.

For the low-cost car, coverage was around $566, which was a little above the average at $533.

For an expensive car the policy was also above average at $702 versus the average $688.

Multi-car policies did offer savings pushing the prices down to a few hundred dollars under the national average cost.

Adding a teenager can increase prices by up to 80% with some insurers but for Allstate we got a quite of $900, which is about $500 less than the average.

For the general state minimum cover, 20/65/20, the price was $50 less than the average at $329.

Allstate Auto Insurance: Accident forgiveness, safe driving bonus and deductible rewards

• Accident forgiveness policy protects your premiums
• Accident-free driving rewarded with refunds

Allstate understands that accidents happen and it also understands that if it penalises its customers for mistakes it will lose them. That's why it operates an accident forgiveness policy which means you can have an accident, and claim without it affecting your premiums – even if it was your fault.

If you do stay accident free you're rewarded. Allstate will send you a check for every six months you drive without an accident.

However, for every year that you receive no driving violations you can earn $100 off your collision deductible, up to $500 off with the first $100 taken off when you sign-up.

Allstate Auto Insurance: Roadside assistance and new car replacement

• Three roadside assistance options
• Allstate may replace it for a new model if totaled

The Allstate roadside assistance comes in three options: either as a per-use charge, as an add-on to auto policies or directly from the Allstate Motor Club. The latter is a subscription service similar to the AA.

If that accident means you car is totaled, then Allstate may replace it for a new model. This is presuming your car is less than two years old and it is written off as too damaged to repair.

Allstate Auto Insurance: Satisfaction guarantee

• Good complaints response process
• 6 months of credit if your not happy how your claim was handled

If you're not happy then Allstate wants to make sure you're given what's owed to you. That's why it operates a claim satisfaction guarantee.

The company will issue up to six months of credit to your insurance premium if you're not happy with how your claim was handled. This comes free with all standard policies in any state that it is available so be sure to check you get it where you are.

Allstate Auto Insurance: Ridesharing insurance

• Covered in 47 states
• You're always covered

Allstate does offer ridesharing cover for drivers of taxi services that use apps like Uber or Lyft. This applies in 47 states and Washington DC.

Since some of these companies only give cover when the driver is active on a job there is risk when in between pickups. This policy from Allstate aims to fill in those gaps so you're always covered.

Allstate Auto Insurance: Mobile app

• Log claims directly on the Allstate Mobile app
• Submit photos via the app

The Allstate Mobile app is one of the best out there when it comes to claims. This is thanks to a system which allows you to log a claim via the phone and have the process begin right away.

Using the app and your smartphone's camera you can submit photos – using the QuickFoto feature – of the accident damage, the VIN number, odometer reading and the car as a whole. This is then sent through to Allstate and is enough information to get the claims process underway, meaning you can begin claiming right after the accident has happened.

Another app available to customers is the Drivewise app. This is used to detect driving habits and will make users eligible for rewards if they drive safely. Points are deducted for things like driving over 80mph, hard braking and late night driving. Points can be used to redeem gift cards, local offers and sweepstakes.

Allstate Auto Insurance: What the users say

• 3 star rating overall from J.D. Power
• 4 star rating from ConsumerAffairs

Allstate Auto is not the cheapest but it is a well-reviewed provider that guarantees satisfaction for peace of mind.

According to the 2018 J.D. Power study, the overall customer satisfaction score was three out of five with threes across the board for things like estimation process, repair processing, rental experience and claims.

ConsumerAffairs gives near a four-star rating for average customer reviews with positive for claims, discounts and rewards but negatives for premium increases for some customers.

Allstate Auto Insurance: Verdict

Allstate Auto is the third-leading car insurer in the US, serving all 50 states and offering over 3,500 repair shops.

Allstate Auto Insurance is not the cheapest you'll find out there, but does offer one of the best apps meaning an excellent claims process. This is backed by guarantees to ensure you are happy with the claims process and if you're not then you get rewarded. 

Roadside assistance options are varied to suit everyone while benefits can help make savings for those drivers that are safe and responsible on the roads.

Geico Auto Insurance: What you need to know

Geico Auto Insurance is one of the most popular and best auto insurance providers for vehicles in the US. According to ratings agency A.M. Best, the financial strength of Geico is an impressive "A++ Superior" making it one of the best out there for paying its claims. A distinct lack of complaints also helps give this insurer more positive appeal.

Despite being a heavy hitter, Geico still offers deals for new sign-ups meaning you can get some of the most premium coverage for your vehicle without spending too much. By premium we not only mean broad cover but also with features like a virtual assistant in the purpose built Geico app for your smartphone.

As a direct provider, Geico is able to offer lower rates than many of its competitors. Getting that quote is also a good experience thanks to a free and simple online quote system.

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Some great features that stand out are mechanical breakdown cover, emergency roadside assistance, express auto repairs and ridesharing insurance.

In some states Geico will penalise you for having a low credit score, which can mean paying over the odds for your cover compared to some other providers. 

Geico isn't onboard with the progressive green support network either, losing it some points, since it offers no incentives to own a hybrid or electric car.

Policies: How much does Geico Auto Insurance cost?

• Minimum coverage: $819
• Comprehensive cover: £2158

Policy options are broad with something for everyone no matter the car, age of the driver or location in the US. Of course, the car type will affect the quote, as will your history. We tested quotes with the industry recommended level of cover, 100/300/100.

We got quotes for a car that's typically more expensive to insure and for one that's less pricey, so above and below the $25,000 mark – but other factors beyond value to play a part so take that as a rough guide. Compared to that average the Geico quotes were coming it at a few hundred dollars less.

For multi-car cover Geico excels with one of the lowest prices around.

Adding a teenager to a car can increase costs by up to five times, but with Geico it makes very little difference to the policy.

For an absolute minimal policy the price was only about $20 less than a more comprehensive cover option.

Geico Auto Insurance: Breakdown cover

• All parts on a car up to 15 months old (with less than 15,000 miles)
• Covered for all damage aside from problems caused by wear and tear

For insurance that sets your mind at ease when out on the roads, Geico is one of the best. This is thanks to its mechanical breakdown coverage and its emergency roadside assistance offering. 

The mechanical breakdown cover is good for all mechanical parts of a new car that is up to 15 months in age and has done less than 15,000 miles in total. If you qualify then you're covered for all damage aside from problems caused by wear and tear. 

The catch? There is a $250 deductible for the service. The service is renewable for up to seven years or 100,000 miles if that comes first. To be clear, this won't cover you for regular maintenance in the case of jobs like tune ups.

Geico Auto Insurance: Roadside assistance

• $14 per year for roadside assistance
• Not breakdown cover

When it comes to cover out on the road, Geico has you covered there too for the ultimate peace of mind, especially when exploring a new area.

The Geico roadside assistance means someone will come out to you where you are to help with your problem. This isn't for breakdown cover but other issues like locking your keys inside your car, a dead battery or if you need gas or a tow for another reason.

The roadside assistance is usually a premium charged at $14 per year. Not too bad then for such a reassuring feature. 

Geico Auto Insurance: Repair Xpress

• Guided through the repair
• Adjuster will pay for your rental car to take away with you

The Geico Auto Repair Xpress service is something that is there to help make life easier during the process of making a claim. 

When you get to the repairs shop you'll be met by a Geico claims adjuster who is there to explain what will happen. This means you'll be guided through the repair process where you can ask any questions that come up.

Then the adjuster will pay for your rental car to take away with you and will also arrange collection so you can leave the rental at the shop when you're back to collect your fixed car. This last feature is something that isn't in all policies so be sure to check your cover before you go in expecting a rental car waiting for you.

Geico Auto Insurance: Ridesharing insurance

• Extends its cover to those drivers that run a taxi for app-based services
• Available in 39 states and applies to the ridesharing vehicle only

Geico Auto Insurance extends its cover to those drivers that run a taxi for app-based services like Uber of Lyft as well as delivery services like Instacart or GrubHub.

This option allows the driver to have one policy that offers cover for both personal and ridesharing use. While some companies like Uber and Lyft will cover the driver, that only applies when on a job and not in between those times, leaving drivers at risk.

This hybrid insurance policy from Geico is available in 39 states and applies to the ridesharing vehicle only.

Geico Auto Insurance: Mobile app

• Lets you check your policy easily
• Can be used to file a claim or even to access roadside assistance

The Geico mobile app, available on iOS and Android, was rated number one in Forrester's 2017 US Mobile Auto Insurance Benchmark and it's still one of the best, if not the best.

The Geico Mobile app lets you check your policy easily but also works when you need to file a claim or even to access roadside assistance. You also get a virtual assistant, Kate, to help you enquire about policy coverage, view billing information and find answers to questions quickly.

It's a shame you can't edit your policy via the app so you will have to settle for a little less functionality than the Geico website in that case.

Geico Auto Insurance: What the users say

• 3 star rating overall from J.D. Power
• 4 star rating from ConsumerAffairs

Geico Auto Insurance is made to cover a wide variety of users so it's worth looking at what lots of people have to say about the cover.

According to the 2018 J.D. Power study, the overall customer satisfaction score for Geico Auto Insurance was a decent three out of five. That's brought up by a five out of five for the rental experience but levelled out by threes for things like estimation process, repair process and claims servicing.

ConsumerAffairs found that Geico got an overall four star rating based on average consumer reviews. Positives include annual savings, the online quoting system, mobile app, rates and claims processing. The negatives are low credit scores affecting premiums and lack of discounts for hybrid and electric vehicles.

Geico Auto Insurance: Verdict

Geico Auto Insurance is one of the larger insurers out there but that reliable financial solidity doesn't mean you have to pay more to be part of it. With competitive rates, excellent claims processing and a fantastic app offering this is one of the better insurers out there for your vehicle. This is especially so for multiple policy insurance where savings can be made.

Low rates are a big draw here but since a poor credit score can affect those rates it's worth noting that Geico might not suit everyone. If you're hoping for a saving for being good and going electric then you'll need to look elsewhere.

Discounts are available for signing up with auto pay and for those with a clean driving record.

There are many different types of dental coverage, ranging from private to state government plans. As you will know from our guide to the best dental insurance providers, most companies offer a variety of plans, but not all of them are available in every state. 

You can find oral care coverage plans ranging from basic yet affordable, right up to what might be considered 'gold-level' plans. In general, there are four main different types of dental insurance to choose from. Let's take a look at these now... 

Different types of dental insurance

1. PPOs: Preferred Provider Organizations 
About 82% of today's dental plans are PPO plans. In essence, if you opt for this type of plan, you can choose from a network of dentists who provide predetermined services for a reduced fee. These services are dictated by the provider of the insurance. If you select an out-of-network dentist, you may have to pay the whole cost of a procedure. 

2. HMOs: Dental Health Maintenance Organizations/Capitation Plans
This is the second-most popular type of plan, but its popularity pales in comparison to PPO plans, coming in at about 8% of all policies. This is generally considered to be a more affordable plan for patients because there is no deductible, a low monthly premium, and only a predetermined fee for non-preventative dental procedures. 

Preventative procedures are usually 100% covered. There tends to be no waiting periods, so you can usually get oral health care right away with an HMO plan. Speaking of prevention, using one of the best electric toothbrushes for two minutes twice a day can vastly improve the health of your teeth and gums, so try to make this part of your daily oral hygiene routine. 

As it is for PPO plans, a patient must choose an in-network dentist, but HMO plan networks tend to be smaller. 

3. Indemnity plans
Indemnity plans comprise about 6% of all plans. They are less popular than the above policies because they tend to be more expensive, but patients don't need to find an 'in-network' dentist. It may also be referred to as a fee-for-service or a traditional dental plan. 

There is an annual deductible, so you'll end up paying for services out-of-pocket until the deductible is met, and then the costs will be split between you and your dental coverage plan provider. 

4. Discount Dental Plans (DDP)
Discount Dental Plans make up about 4% of all plans. They are not considered to be traditional insurance plans, but are rather membership programs that help patients save on dental care costs with dentists that agree to participate in the plans. 

They are considered to be quite cost-effective, as patients may only pay up to 50% of the dentist's original fees. Discount plans usually only cost about $10 per month per person, and benefits can be used immediately.

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Other types of dental insurance plans

There may be other types of dental insurance plans available that are more suited to your needs, but these tend to be much less popular. Those include:

1. Direct Reimbursement
Direct reimbursement plans require that a patient pay for the full cost of any dental procedure, and then submit a paid receipt of proof of services to the provider. Then, the provider will partially reimburse the patient for the procedure performed. Patients can pick any dentist they want with these plans. 

2. Point of service plans
These are plans that offer patients the option to seek out an out-of-network dentist. The patient is then reimbursed a certain percentage of the cost of treatment - but this amount is much less than what the patient would have been reimbursed had he or she sought treatment from an in-network provider. 

3. Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPO)
With this plan, patients must use an in-network healthcare provider if they want to be reimbursed by the insurance provider. 

4. Table or Schedule of Allowance Plans
Table or schedule of allowance plans are indemnity plans. The patient is responsible for the difference between the plan's coverage of the procedure performed and the doctor's fee. The plan's contribution does not change regardless of the amount of the doctor's fee. 

Government plans

The government also offers some dental plans, although those are mostly aimed at children, teenagers and military personnel. Those plans include:

Medicaid and CHIP
Children under the age of 21 who are insured by Medicaid and CHIP have covered dental costs. However, coverage may vary for adults who have Medicaid or CHIP. 

Tricare
This is the program that benefits active military service members and their families. 

Aetna is a well-known health insurance provider who also sells individual dental insurance plans. This company is popular for its well-designed mobile apps, which provide easy access to resources, account information and local in-network dentists. It also has one of the largest dental networks in the U.S., with over 339,000 dentists.

For my review, I got quotes in each region of the U.S. for individuals, couples and families. Then I compared the available options in each region and the premiums. I also looked at the maximum limits and deductibles. Compared to other insurance providers, Aetna’s comprehensive plans stood out as being more affordable than most. However, the basic coverage plans were among the most expensive, often only a few dollars less than its comprehensive plans. 

The biggest downside to Aetna is the lack of options and availability. It doesn't’ offer private insurance plans in the Rocky Mountains, Northeast or East (though it does offer employer-provided plans in these areas). In addition, each of the regions where dental insurance plans were sold only had two options: the Direct Preferred PPO and Direct Core PPO. The Direct Core plan is more comparable in coverage to a mid-tier plan offered by other insurance providers than a basic preventative plan, as it covers all procedures, but pays a lower percentage than the Direct Preferred PPO.

Aetna pays all the expenses for exams, x-rays and cleanings, and it pays up to 80 percent of basic care under the Direct Preferred PPO plan and 50 percent on the Direct Core PPO plan. Both plans pay 50 percent of major procedures. And if you had insurance in the 90 days before switching to their plan, Aetna waives the waiting period on procedures.

You can see an out-of-network dentist with Aetna, but the overall prices may be more than in-network providers. This is standard for the medical and dental industry, as individual insurance companies negotiate with their in-network providers to get discounted rates for services. Aetna has the largest network of any provider in our comparison, and it spans outside the five states that offer independent individual plans. Thus, if you have a dental emergency and are not home, you may still be able to find a dentist who accepts your insurance.

The website itself is easy to navigate and has features that allow you to do much of your insurance paperwork online. By clicking on your state on Aetna's interactive map, you immediately get a page that summarizes the available plans and monthly premiums, helps you find a dentist in your area and calculates your savings. One oddity we found was that, although there are two tabs for plans – one for ages 49 and under and one for ages 50 and over – the plan summaries did not change. You can also fill out claims forms online and track claims through the website. With Aetna, you make your payments online. This insurance agency does not offer the option for manual payments, something other companies allow. 

Overall, Aetna is a company worth considering. Its website is easy to follow and provides convenient online tools. It has a huge network of dentists, and its plans provide full or partial coverage for everything from exams to orthodontics.

Need a better alternative?

Despite its relatively strict membership requirements – only current and past military members and their families are eligible – USAA is among the biggest providers of homeowners insurance in the country, with a total asset value of $155.39 billion. In addition, it has the highest customer satisfaction score of the 31 insurance companies J.D. Power studied. USAA's members are among the most devoted policy holders, which likely has a lot to do with its profit sharing – since the company has no shareholders, profits are either retained to bolster financial strength or divvied up to members. This means you can get a significant portion of your premium back if USAA has a good year. For example, in 2015, USAA returned $1.666 billion to its members.

Quoting Process

Since I’m not a homeowner, I got quotes for my parents’ home for this review. Because I already knew the actual reconstruction value of the home, I also compared the accuracy of the quotes I was provided. This was the most important part of the quotes not only because it represents what the company pays out if your home is destroyed but also because it’s what varied most from quote to quote during testing. All the other coverages and liability limits were nearly identical from one provider to the next.

USAA's quote process requires USAA member login credentials. This is the biggest downside, as you can't get a quote unless you are a member. Fortunately, one of my co-workers has a membership, and we were able to walk through the quote process. In total, it asked 41 questions. This was fewer than average, as most quote tools asked about 51 questions. For comparison, State Farm, my top pick, asked 123 questions and provided the most accurate reconstruction value quote. USAA's reconstruction value quote was about $150,000 below the actual value, but it was a lot closer than many providers. In addition, you can adjust the value with more accurate data. Of course, that affects the premium, for better or worse.

J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Study

In the 2017 J.D. Power study of homeowners insurance providers, 15,909 customers with policies from 31 companies were interviewed. USAA received the highest customer satisfaction score: 892. For comparison, the second highest score, given to Amica Mutual, was 866. These are the only two insurance providers to receive a five power circles in each of the five categories in the study – pricing, claims, interaction, policy offerings and billing.

Ultimately, however, USAA didn’t receive the award for best customer satisfaction because its policies are only available to USAA members, so you must have served in the military or have family members who have served to qualify. If you meet these requirements, USAA is likely your best option.

Agents

Similar to Amica Mutual, USAA doesn't have an agent finder tool, so you can’t contact a local agent to help you navigate the nuances of homeowners insurance. Of course, its online support is excellent. The company's mobile app has won awards for support, and its website is loaded with articles, calculators and articles. Still, it’s difficult to replace the experience of consulting with a local insurance agent, as they are more intimately aware of the insurance considerations specific to your area than a support person on a phone call.

If you have any connection to the military, USAA is your best option for homeowners insurance. Not only does it have the highest customer satisfaction scores, but it's also a very financially strong company and returns profits to its members. As such, you could pay much less for your insurance in the long run.