Insurance Archives | Investormint https://investormint.com/insurance Personal Finance Tools and Insights Mon, 29 Apr 2019 19:55:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.5 https://investormint.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/cropped-investormint-icon-649x649-20170208-32x32.png Insurance Archives | Investormint https://investormint.com/insurance 32 32 Lemonade Insurance Review – Renters & Home Insurance From $5! https://investormint.com/insurance/lemonade-insurance-reviews https://investormint.com/insurance/lemonade-insurance-reviews#disqus_thread Tue, 19 Mar 2019 00:28:08 +0000 https://investormint.com/?p=6402 Lemonade provides homeowners insurance and renters insurance, and avoids conflicts of interest by taking a flat 20% fee from each policyholder’s premium payment.

The article Lemonade Insurance Review – Renters & Home Insurance From $5! was originally posted on Investormint

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lemonade insurance review

InvestorMint provides personal finance tools and insights to better inform your financial decisions. Our research is comprehensive, independent and well researched so you can have greater confidence in your financial choices.

Lemonade is not like other property and casualty insurance companies. Sure, it offers renters and home insurance policies for apartments, condos, homes, and co-ops but it does so with a unique twist.

Lemonade receives a flat-fee for each insurance policy so it doesn’t run into the usual conflicts when claims need to be paid out. While other insurance companies lose out when they pay out, and so try to avoid paying claimants, Lemonade can be more objective when claims are made.

On cost, Lemonade sets itself apart too. Unlike some other renters and home insurance companies that charge hefty rates, Lemonade doesn’t rely on brokers which allows it to charge very reasonable fees.

In this Lemonade insurance review, we’ll cover everything else you need to know about this A-rated insurer and you will see how to get renters insurance coverage for as little as $5!

Lemonade Review Spotlight

LEMONADE INSURANCE SPOTLIGHT
lemonade insurance logo

InvestorMint Rating

4.5 out of 5 stars

  • Homeowners & Renters Insurance: YES
  • Flat-Fee Revenue Model: YES
  • Donates Leftover Premiums To Causes: YES

via Lemonade secure site

Lemonade Insurance Company Features

Insurance Coverage Renters, Homeowners
Low Premiums $5+
Fast Onboarding Using Artificial Intelligence
Payout Time Typically very fast
Flat-Fee Avoids conflicts of interest
Public Benefit Corporation Gives back to community
Deductibles Vary based on policy
Zero Deductible Available in CA, NV, OH, TX, IL
Reinsurance Issued by Lloyds of London
Rating Awarded A-rating

Lemonade Insurance Coverage Quickview

Lemonade provides:

  • Renters insurance
  • Condo insurance
  • Co-op insurance
  • Homeowners insurance

What Does Lemonade Insurance Cover?

Once you have signed up, you will be covered for standard perils, including:

  • Theft
  • Fire
  • Explosion
  • Vandalism

Extra living expenses are also covered in case you need to get a hotel because an upstairs neighbor left a kitchen faucet on all day or a kitchen fire damaged your home.

Coverage is provided as standard for laptops, phones, tablets, TVs, and other personal electronics.

If you have others items that you want covered, such as jewelry, art, or other personal property, Lemonade can provide you a quote if you send a note with appraised values of the items listed.

What Does Lemonade Insurance Not Cover?

If a rodent decides to make its home in your home or an insect infestation is discovered, your policy will not cover these yucky situations. Neither will it cover annoyances like power outages, water going out, or heat not working.

Any personal property that is mistakenly broken or lost is not covered either.

Many homeowners insurance and renters insurance policies don’t cover these either so it’s pretty standard that they fall outside the standard coverage policy.

Lemonade Coverage

Lemonade Insurance Coverage Insurance Coverage Description
Personal property coverage
  • Covers items destroyed by fire, theft, or other covered factors.
  • Furniture, personal electronics, and clothing are examples of covered items.
Personal Property Valuation
  • Lemonade offers replacement cost for destroyed, damaged, or stolen items.
  • This means the value of the items is calculated based on its current lowest as-new market value.
Reimbursed living expenses
  • Pays for living costs, such as hotel, if a covered loss makes your home uninhabitable.
How fast are claims paid?
  • Simple property claims may be paid almost instantly, however Lemonade will sometimes need to fully review an incident to approve a claim.
  • When manual assessments are needed to evaluate claims, longer claims processing times may be needed.
Claims process video recording
  • During the claims process, Lemonade asks you to shoot a video to better process the handling and review of your claim.

Who Is Covered By Lemonade Insurance?

Got Roommates?

The coverage you purchase will extend to the property that you legally own. So, if you have a roommate, they will need to purchase their own insurance coverage.

Married Couples

If you are married, your policy will automatically cover all household residents who are related to you by marriage, blood, or adoption.

Single Applicants

For non-married couples who live together, you can add their name to your policy for an additional fee.

How Lemonade Insurance Works

Lemonade calculates policyholder premiums individually. The following factors influence premium pricing:

  • Age of property
  • Credit history
  • Recent claims
  • Quality and size of property

Lemonade pricing will also depend on whether you choose a high or low deductible.

If you live in an area prone to weather damage or firestorms, geographical location may affect your premiums too.

If you make a claim, a high deductible means that you will be required to pay a higher amount. For example, if personal electronic equipment is stolen, you may be required to pay more out of pocket to replace it.

Let’s say your $1,000 laptop is stolen and you had chosen a $250 deductible, your payment in the event of a successful claim would be $750 (which is calculated as $1,000 minus the $250 deductible).

How To Lower Your Insurance Premiums

Lemonade may apply discounts depending on whether you have installed protection equipment, like burglar and fire alarms.

Keep in mind that your credit score is a factor that could affect your rates so where possible try to boost it using information available at MyFICO.

When you choose a higher deductible it may translate to lower monthly premiums.

How Lemonade Insurance Works

After you sign up, but before you pay, you are shown a summary of your coverage and a sample policy.

At that stage, you can modify your coverage and policy settings, including your deductible and start dates.

Once you pay, Lemonade issues your final policy instantly and sends it to you by email.

Lemonade Insurance Payment Options

You can pay Lemonade by credit or debit card.

You can even pay via an escrow arrangement whereby Lemonade takes a month’s deposit and, in consultation with you, arranges further payments through your bank if applicable.

Missing an insurance premium payment may also affect your coverage. Sometimes, a credit card is declined and in that case Lemonade will keep pestering you to update to a new one but eventually, if you don’t take action, your policy will be canceled – though you will be warned prior to that happening.

What Is The Zero Everything Policy?

If you are worried about paying out of pocket, the Zero Everything product may be suitable.

lemonade zero everything

Policyholders who select Zero Everything are eligible to receive claim payments with no deductible, meaning you receive the full replacement cost of items when a claim is approved. No rate hikes are applied provided no more than two claims are filed per year.

The Zero Everything product is available for renters and condo/co-op owners of the following states:

  • California
  • Nevada
  • Texas

It is also available to renters in Illinois and Ohio.

Zero Everything is available both to new and existing policyholders and goes into effect upon activation of your insurance policy. When your policy renews, Zero Everything automatically renews too.

Keep in mind that while the first two claims have no deductible, a third claim will trigger a $250 deductible, and the third claim may also trigger a hike in your monthly premiums upon renewal.

Lemonade Insurance Discount Discount Description
Safe home discount
  • Policyholders who equip their properties with safety and security devices, like fire alarms and security systems generally enjoy lower rates.
Zero Everything
  • No deductible applies to the first two claims but a $250 deductible is triggered when a third claim is made within the same year.
Zero Everythingeligible states
  • California
  • Illinois
  • Nevada
  • Ohio
  • Texas
Best way to lower premiums
  • Paying higher deductibles and lowering coverage amounts can lower monthly premiums.

Is Lemonade Insurance
Right For You?

Lemonade offers renters insurance, condo insurance and homeowners insurance in New York, California, New Jersey, and Nevada.

Renters and condo insurance is available in Texas and Rhode Island.

And renters insurance is available in Ohio and Illinois.

In terms of financial stability, you can take comfort knowing that some of the largest reinsurers in the world are reinsuring Lemonade, including Lloyds of London and XL Catlin.

Lemonade is not yet rated by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, or A.M. Best.

Rating Company Lemonade Insurance
Standard & Poor’s Not rated
Moody’s Investor Service Not rated
A.M. Best Not rated

Base policy features using New York data include:

Personal property coverage $10,000 → $250,000
Personal Liability $100,000 → $500,000
Loss of use coverage $3,000 → $200,000
Medical payments to others $1,000 → $5,000
Deductible options $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500

Lemonade Insurance
Pros and Cons

Lemonade Pros Lemonade Cons
Flat-Fee Business Model: Lemonade takes a flat 20% fee from your monthly premiums so it avoids the conflicts of interest associated with most insurance companies when claims are filed by policyholders whereby both customers and insurance companies fight over the same coin. Coverage Area: Lemonade does not yet have nationwide coverage but insurance options are available in New York, California, New Jersey, Nevada, Texas, Rhode Island, Ohio, and Illinois.
Public Benefit Corporation: Social impact isn’t just a nice buzz word at Lemonade – it is part of its legal mission and business model. Multi-policy Discounts: Lemonade does not offer multi-policy discounts like Allstate.
Extensive Coverage: Personal property coverage, additional living expenses, personal liability protection, and medical protection are all included in the base policy provided by Lemonade insurance. Earthquake Insurance: Lemonade does not provide earthquake insurance.
Extra Coverage: Additional coverage can be selected for items like musical instruments, fine art, jewelry, bicycles, and cameras. Identity Theft: Lemonade does not provide coverage or solutions for identity theft.
Ways To Keep Rates Lower: If you have installed safety and security devices in your home and remain claim-free, you are likely to pay lower premiums.
Reinsured By Lloyds: Lemonade is reinsured by Lloyds of London and XL Catlin for added protection.
Financial Strength: Demotech awards Lemonade an “A’ rating for its financial strength.
Online Purchase: Lemonade does not use brokers as intermediaries; all purchases can be made online.
Amazing User Experience: Lemonade has a world class user interface that is intuitive, and enables customers to sign up quickly and file claims promptly.
Charitable Giveback: Lemonade allocates a portion of its premiums to causes you care about each year.

Lemonade FAQ

Is Lemonade better than other homeowners insurance and renters insurance providers?

Lemonade takes a flat 20% fee from your monthly premium to pay for salaries, technology, regulatory compliance, operations, and so on. When a policyholder files a claim, Lemonade doesn’t win or lose when a claim is paid out because it keeps only the flat fee.

Unlike other companies, which make more money when they don’t pay out claims, and so have a financial incentive not to pay you, Lemonade can be more objective and has its interests aligned with yours.

Are my personal electronics, like my laptop, covered?

Your renters insurance policy or homeowners insurance policy applies to assets you own like your personal electronics and laptop.

Is my jewelry insured?

The base policy covers jewelry up to $1,500. If you have jewelry worth more than the standard coverage limit, you may wish to purchase Extra Coverage.

How does Extra Coverage work?

Your base policy covers furniture, personal electronics, and clothing. If you have fine art, bicycles, musical instruments, cameras, or jewelry, Extra Coverage may be needed.

Simply submit each item with a photo, short description, and receipt for appraisal, and Lemonade will provide an Extra Coverage quote.

What is a hurricane deductible?

If damage is caused by a hurricane, a hurricane deductible applies like any other deductible. Usually, this is suitable for homeowners.

Is the Giveback tax deductible?

At this time, the Giveback feature is NOT tax deductible.

Lemonade Insurance
Review Summary

Lemonade concentrates on home and renters insurance policies that work well for people living in cities.

Charitable Giving Encourages Insurance Providers to Help You

Lemonade has a unique business model that includes donating leftover money to charities. After paying its employees and updating its technology, Lemonade donates remaining funds to organizations like Teach for American, ACLU, and Code to Inspire.

Charitable giving helps communities thrive. It also encourages your insurance provider to accept the claims you file.

Lemonade uses a peer-to-peer model that connects you to an insurance provider. Typically, you would expect your insurance provider to deny claims when possible. Denying claims helps the company earn more money.

Since remaining funds get donated to charity, though, the insurance company has less incentive to deny your claim.

Check Whether Lemonade Is Available In Your State

Lemonade has only been in business since 2016. At the time, it only sold home and renters insurance policies to people in about five states. By the beginning of 2019, the company expanded its reach to about 20 states.

Lemonade plans to keep growing. Depending on where you live, though, you might not qualify for a policy through Lemonade’s peer-to-peer insurance network.

Lemonade Charges Low Prices

Lemonade’s renters insurance policies start at $5 per month. Its homeowners insurance policies start at $25 a month.

If you need to save money, you should get a quote from Lemonade since it offers some of the lowest prices in the industry.

Lemonade Only Offers Renters and Homeowners Insurance

Large insurance companies usually offer price discounts when you purchase several policies from them.

At Lemonade, though, you can only buy renters and homeowners insurance. That means you will have to find another company for auto insurance and other policies.

Lemonade Processes and Pays Claims Quickly

Lemonade uses internet technology to streamline its processes. When you need to file a claim, you can do it on your computer or smartphone. You can even upload videos of the damage. The claim gets reviewed as soon as you submit it.

Some experts claim that Lemonade pays about 25% of its claims within 3 seconds. Not everyone will get money that quickly. If you have a claim that’s easy to verify, though, you can expect to get paid within a day or so.

Few insurance companies embrace technology like Lemonade does. The insurance provider still needs to grow before it can serve the whole country. Still, it’s a great option for most people looking for affordable renters and homeowners insurance policies.

Why Lemonade Insurance Company Is Different

In its first year operating, Lemonade gave 10% of its revenues, amounting to $53,174, to 14 charities.

But why is an insurance company giving a portion of its revenues back to charities?

lemonade annual giveback

Early on, Lemonade recognized that the very structure of the traditional insurance industry is riddled with conflicts of interest.

In the traditional insurance industry, every dollar an insurer pays you is a dollar less they add to their bottom line.

When something bad happens to you, the insurance company makes less so their interests are not aligned with yours. You, the customer, and a traditional insurance company fight over the same money.

The conflict of interest means that customers have an incentive to embellish claims, which in turn increases distrust and a vicious cycle is set in motion, leading to ever higher premiums and a frustrating claims process.

Because insurance companies would traditionally make money when denying claims, they have an incentive to deny or delay claims. By contrast, Lemonade avoids these conflicts of interest by taking a flat fee upfront.

Any unclaimed money is then donated to a cause of the policyholder’s choice. As a customer, you select a non-profit where you would like your leftover money allocated.

People supporting the same cause are called peers, and each group of peers has their claims paid out from the premiums they paid in. The leftover money goes to their common cause.

This means that if you engage in fraud by embellishing your claims, you are directly hurting causes you care about.

And because Lemonade takes a flat fee, it doesn’t have any incentive to deny or delay legitimate claims. Instead, it can pay claims faster and with less hassle.

So, Lemonade gathers people who support the same cause and re-aligns incentives to bring out the best in both customers and itself as an insurer.

The article Lemonade Insurance Review – Renters & Home Insurance From $5! was originally posted on Investormint

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Allstate Renters Insurance Review – Save Up To 25%! https://investormint.com/insurance/allstate-renters-insurance https://investormint.com/insurance/allstate-renters-insurance#disqus_thread Sat, 09 Mar 2019 23:38:15 +0000 https://investormint.com/?p=6211 Allstate renters insurance includes personal property coverage, personal liability coverage, and coverage for additional living expenses if your home is destroyed.

The article Allstate Renters Insurance Review – Save Up To 25%! was originally posted on Investormint

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allstate insurance review

InvestorMint provides personal finance tools and insights to better inform your financial decisions. Our research is comprehensive, independent and well researched so you can have greater confidence in your financial choices.

If you are like most people, your home is where you keep your prized possessions, whether jewelry handed down from one generation to the next, a treasured wedding gift, a piece of art, a high-end TV, or simply a comfy sofa. For your cherished items, Allstate renters insurance can provide insurance protection if something bad happens.

Behind State Farm, Allstate is the second largest insurer in the United States and has been around since 1931 so you can be confident that you are selecting renters insurance from a company that has weathered economic storms and has the financial stability to pay eligible financial claims.

Allstate renters insurance is just one of the products available, but if you need insurance coverage for a car, boat, motorcycle, off-road vehicle, condo, or even a business, you can get insurance quotes too for those categories.

Where Allstate earns high marks is its competitive pricing. While coverage is dependable, it may cost less than you think, especially when it comes to renters insurance.

Allstate Review Spotlight

ALLSTATE SPOTLIGHT
allstate logo

InvestorMint Rating

4.5 out of 5 stars

  • Personal Property Coverage: YES
  • Personal Liability Coverage: YES
  • Additional Living Expenses Coverage: YES

via Allstate secure site

Allstate Renters Insurance
Coverage

AllState renters insurance protects your personal property from events like fire, vandalism, theft, and smoke damage. Most policies also protect you from liability when someone gets injured on the property you rent. Many policies even pay your temporary living expenses when your rental property gets damaged.

If you own anything valuable, it’s a good idea to buy a renters insurance policy. The insurance company that you choose, however, will affect the coverage and services that you get.

Personal property coverage is provided inside and outside your residence. So, if your sofa were damaged from a fire, a TV got smashed, or your bike was stolen from your property, those personal property items would be covered.

You can usually choose between two types of property coverage:

  • Actual Cash Value which covers your belongings for their replacement cost minus depreciation due to age, conditioning or other factors.
  • Replacement Cost Coverage which covers your belongings for the amount it would cost to replace them with a new similar item.

When you choose replacement cost coverage, you will usually be charged higher premiums.

Some categories of property coverage have a maximum dollar limit so clarify the amount for which you are covered before buying coverage.

Depending on the renters insurance policy you select, you may be responsible for paying an upfront deductible and Allstate pays the balance.

For example, if an item worth $5,000 needs to be replaced, you may be responsible for the first $500 and Allstate pays the remaining $4,500.

Additional living expenses coverage is also provided as part of your Allstate renters insurance policy.

For example, if a fire destroys your property and you need to find another place to live, your coverage may reimburse you for the costs you incur, such as hotel costs, food expenses, and even childcare services.

Family liability protection and guest medical protection is provided too in case of injury to someone in the home. For example, if you are found legally responsible to pay for medical bills and lost wages, Allstate renters insurance may save your bacon from an otherwise hefty bill.

Allstate Renters Insurance Policy

Your landlord’s insurance policy may not cover your possessions in case of fire or theft, so renters insurance is often a good idea.

An Allstate renters insurance policy generally includes the following:

Allstate Renters Insurance Coverage Description
Personal property coverage
  • Covers belongings stolen or destroyed by fire, theft, or another covered factor.
  • Clothing, furniture, laptop, and electronics are covered.
Scheduled personal property
  • High-priced property coverage beyond the limits of personal property coverage.
  • You can add this to your policy to cover expensive jewelry for example.
Reimbursed living expenses
  • Pays for increased living costs if a covered loss makes your home uninhabitable.
Liability coverage
  • Coverage for legal expenses, medical bills, and other damages if someone is injured in your home and sues you.
Guest medical coverage
  • If someone is injured in your home, guest medical coverage pays for reasonable medical expenses like an ambulance and x-rays.
Identity restoration coverage
  • Identity restoration coverage is available in case your identity is stolen – a fraud specialist can help you to try to recover your identity.

Your Allstate renters insurance policy may not cover flood insurance and personal umbrella insurance.

Floods are the number one national disaster in the United States and not all landlords have flood insurance coverage so if you live in areas prone to floods it may be worth exploring.

Personal umbrella insurance may be appropriate if you are a hunter or engage in other higher risk activities because you won’t have to pay out of pocket for potentially high costs in the event of being sued.

How Much Is Allstate
Renters Insurance?

Even though renters insurance is among the most affordable types of insurance, there are ways to save and lower your costs.

Allstate rental insurance discounts are available to put a dent in your premiums.

Renters Insurance Discount Discount Description
Multi-policy discount
  • If you already have an Allstate auto insurance policy, you may be eligible for a discount.
Safe home discount
  • Rental properties equipped with safety and security devices, like fire alarms and security systems, are eligible for savings of up to 15%.
Easy pay plan
  • You can save up to 5% if you choose a renters insurance payment option where premiums are withdrawn automatically from your bank checking or savings accounts.
55 and retired discount
  • If you are retired and not actively seeking full-time employment, you may enjoy up to 25% off your premium.
Claim-free discounts
  • You are eligible for a discount of up to 20% in addition to bonus savings for every year you stay claim-free.

Is Allstate Renters Insurance
Right For You?

Allstate Offers Several Discount Opportunities

Allstate keeps its policies affordable by offering several discount opportunities. Some of the most popular discounts include:

  • Up to 15% off for installing security systems, fire alarms, and other home safety devices.
  • Up to 5% off when you use the Easy pay plan that automatically withdraws payments from your bank account.
  • Up to 25% off if you’re a retiree over 55 years old.
  • Up to 20% off each year you don’t file a claim.

You can also qualify for a discount by adding a renters insurance policy to an Allstate auto policy.

Allstate Has a Long History of Reliable Service

Sears, Roebuck and Co. founded Allstate in 1931 to sell auto insurance. Allstate became an independent company in 1993. Throughout the insurance company’s history, it has added dozens of products that appeal to homeowners and renters.

According to documents filed by Allstate with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2017, the company owns $112.422 billion in total assets. This should matter to renters because the company’s value shows that it can afford to pay claims.

Unlike smaller insurance companies that might go out of business, Allstate has plenty of money to pay for damaged property, liability, and temporary living expenses.

Allstate Gets Positive Reviews From Customers and Experts

Overall, Allstate gets positive reviews from experts working for companies like Consumer Reports and J.D. Power.

Perhaps more importantly, the company gets good reviews from its customers. Most policyholders say that Allstate processes claims efficiently and has good customer services.

Of course, not everyone loves Allstate. Some customers complain that Allstate canceled their policies after a few late payments.

Allstate’s history, discounts, and reputation make it a good choice for most renters.

Rating Company Allstate Insurance Description
Standard & Poor’s AA- 4th highest of 22 categories
Moody’s Investor Service Aa3 4th highest of 21 categories
A.M. Best A+ 2nd highest of 16 categories

Allstate Renters Insurance
Pros and Cons

Allstate Pros Allstate Cons
Low Rates: Renters insurance may be available for as little as an extra $4 per month if you already have an Allstate auto insurance policy. Allstate Customer Feedback: We would prefer to see fewer overall negative complaints but our research uncovered limited negative feedback about Allstate renters insurance.
Leading Insurance Company: Allstate has been around for nearly a century and is the second largest insurer in the nation. Advertising: In 2016, Allstate was required to pay a $600,000 settlement in a consumer protection lawsuit regarding auto insurance TV ads.
Extensive Coverage: Personal property coverage, additional living expenses coverage, family liability protection, and guest medical protection are all included in Allstate renters insurance.
Optional Coverage: Personal umbrella coverage and flood insurance are optional additional coverage items.
Renters Insurance Discounts: If you have either an existing auto insurance policy with Allstate, are over 55, have installed safety and security devices in your home, remain claim-free, or sign up for automatic payments, you may be eligible for renters insurance discounts.
Financial Strength Ratings: Allstate receives high ratings from leading ratings companies like Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.
Coverage Area: Allstate has national coverage so, no matter where you live, the chances are you can probably find an Allstate agent close by.

Allstate FAQ

Do I need renters insurance if I don’t own much?

When you add up the costs of replacing furniture, electronics, clothes, and appliances, you might be surprised to find how much you actually own and the total cost of replacing all you have. If you are not sure, have a chat with an Allstate agent and evaluate whether the coverage and peace of mind is worth the premiums.

Is my computer covered?

If you have a renters insurance policy with personal property coverage and your computer is one of your personal possessions, the protection likely extends to it.

What are the limits of my renters insurance policy?

Your renters insurance policy will cover you up to certain caps. For example, the cap for jewelry is usually around $1,500 but ask your agent before you purchase coverage so you are clear about what the caps are for your particular policy.

Should I choose replacement cost coverage or actual cash value?

Replacement cost coverage will generally cost you more in monthly premiums but it may well be worth it if you have bought a lot of new stuff.

However, if you have had your items for years and were planning to get rid of a bunch of them perhaps actual cash value is more suitable. Before making a decision, speak with your Allstate agent to better understand which coverage would best suit you.

Allstate Renters Insurance
Reviews Summary

Allstate is one of the largest insurance companies in the United States and as you might expect from a leading insurer, it is highly competitive when it comes to cost.

With a nationwide network of agents, the chances are high that an Allstate agent is near you and, if not, you can contact Allstate customer service anytime of day or night every day of the week.

To help lower your monthly premiums, Allstate renters insurance discounts are available to customers over 55 who are no longer seeking employment, have installed safety and security devices at home, remain claim-free, or sign up for automatic payments.

For peace of mind, Allstate is rated highly by leading ratings companies like Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.

The bottom line is if you are looking for renters insurance from a renowned insurer offering competitive rates, Allstate is well worth checking out.

The article Allstate Renters Insurance Review – Save Up To 25%! was originally posted on Investormint

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How Do Life Insurance Companies Make Money? https://investormint.com/insurance/how-do-life-insurance-companies-make-money https://investormint.com/insurance/how-do-life-insurance-companies-make-money#disqus_thread Thu, 07 Mar 2019 07:20:09 +0000 https://investormint.com/?p=10726 Life insurance promises to pay your family or other beneficiaries a certain amount of money as long as you pay annual premiums. People usually buy life insurance to protect their families from financial loss. Imagine the financial stress a family …

How Do Life Insurance Companies Make Money? Read More »

The article How Do Life Insurance Companies Make Money? was originally posted on Investormint

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family on vacationLife insurance promises to pay your family or other beneficiaries a certain amount of money as long as you pay annual premiums.

People usually buy life insurance to protect their families from financial loss. Imagine the financial stress a family experiences when it loses its top earner. The mortgage that was once well within the family’s means may become impossible to pay.

Other people buy life insurance policies as investments. Permanent life insurance offers a death benefit, but it also pays grows from interest. At the end of the policy, you can cash out the policy for a large sum of money.

Life insurance policies usually have terms between 10 and 30 years. In some cases, though, you can find companies that will sell you policies for even longer amounts of time. Those policies, however, usually cost quite a bit of money.

For the most part, life insurance doesn’t cost very much. Young, healthy people can buy whole life insurance policies with fixed rates. No matter how long they live, they will pay the same premium every year.

If you wonder how life insurance companies manage to earn profits and stay in business, you’re not alone. A lot of people wonder how the companies can give millions of dollars to beneficiaries every year while collecting relatively small fees from policyholders. It turns out that life insurance companies have found some creative ways to generate profits.

Life Insurance Companies Do the Math and Measure the Odds

computer workLife insurance companies do a lot of research before they sell policies to their clients.

By asking questions about your age, health history, and lifestyle, they can pick prices that they think will earn them profits. For instance, a healthy, 30-year-old man might get a life insurance policy that costs $250 per year. A 55-year-old man, however, will usually pay a higher premium because he has a higher risk of death.

When choosing prices, life insurance companies determine how much of a risk you are. If they think that you will pass away before the policy expires, then they will charge you a higher price. If they think it’s unlikely that you will die during the policy’s term, then they can charge lower prices.

As long as the insurance company makes the right bet, it will earn money from your premiums. Of course, some people will die, and the insurance company will have to give their families money. Since the companies have thousands or millions of policies, they can use money premiums from living clients to pay the families of deceased policyholders.

Insurance Companies Invest Premiums

Insurance companies know that a few bad decisions could cost them a lot of money. A company that collects $10 million in premiums will lose money if they pay beneficiaries more than $10 million that year.

Since life insurance companies know the risk of losing money, they invest premiums in stocks, bonds, and accounts that pay them interest. When the company invests $10 million of the payments it receives, it will generate $100,000 in profits as long as it gets a 10% return on the investment.

Even if the company pays beneficiaries $10 million, it still makes money from the investments.

Investing comes with its own risks, of course. If the stock market falters, then the company could lose all of the money it invests. Insurance companies know how to manage risk, though, so they protect their investments with diversified portfolios. By diversifying their investments, they lower the risk that they will lose significant amounts of money.

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Life Insurance Companies Count on Lapsed Policies

Some people who purchase life insurance policies don’t make all of their payments. When this happens, the insurance companies get to keep the premiums paid without paying the policyholder anything.

Few people let their life insurance policies lapse. Some experts say that only 2-3% of policyholders let their insurance expire. Even with such a small percentage of lapsed policies, insurance companies can pad their profits nicely.

For example, if you have been paying $250 per year for the last decade, you’ve given the insurance company $2,500 without getting anything in return. When you let your policy lapse, the company keeps the $2,500 and ends your policy.

$2,500 might not sound like a lot of money. When you consider that many life insurance companies have millions of clients, you can see how profitable lapsed policies become. If 2% of a million clients let their policies lapse in one year, then the company makes $50 million.

The Companies Tempt Policyholders With Cash Payouts

hiding behind wad of cashWhole life policies accrue interest, so they gain value over time. After 10 years of paying into the policy, you may have access to thousands of dollars. A lot of people make the short-sighted decision to take cash value payouts instead of waiting for their policies to mature.

When you want to buy a new car, several thousand dollars looks tempting. As long as some clients take the cash payout, the insurance company avoids paying the full, future value of the policy.

Even if the company doesn’t earn money from the deal, it lowers the amount of money that it spends. Regardless, it’s a good deal for the insurance company when policyholders cash in their policies early.

Like all businesses, life insurance companies have to earn profits. Their attempts to make more money, though, doesn’t have to affect the benefits you receive. As long as you make financially sound decisions, your policy should meet the needs of you and your beneficiaries.

>> Searching for Financial Freedom, Check This Out!

>> Can I Live Off Interest On A Million Dollars?

>> How To Save BIG on Health Insurance 

The article How Do Life Insurance Companies Make Money? was originally posted on Investormint

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Pay-Per-Mile Car Insurance Could Cut Your Bill By 50% At Metromile https://investormint.com/insurance/metromile-review https://investormint.com/insurance/metromile-review#disqus_thread Thu, 28 Feb 2019 12:38:27 +0000 https://investormint.com/?p=5432 Metromile car insurance is designed for drivers who drive less than 200 miles per month on average. The pay-per-mile fee structure is broken into a base rate and a variable rate depending on how much you drive. You can even use Metromile to find your car if you forgot where you parked it.

The article Pay-Per-Mile Car Insurance Could Cut Your Bill By 50% At Metromile was originally posted on Investormint

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metromile review

InvestorMint provides personal finance tools and insights to better inform your financial decisions. Our research is comprehensive, independent and well researched so you can have greater confidence in your financial choices.

According to Metromile, 65% of people in the U.S. drive fewer than 200 miles per week yet traditional car insurance companies don’t reward these drivers with lower insurance premiums.

If you fall into this bucket of drivers, Metromile insurance could save you money because it offers a new twist on an old business.

Customers are charged on a pay-per-mile basis with lower base rates than most other auto insurance companies charge.

Car owners who don’t use their vehicles very often are a good match for Metromile. For example, if you’re a city slicker who takes public transport often or a retiree whose car sits idle for days at a time, Metromile car insurance may cost you less than you are currently paying.

For drivers with low annual mileages, Metromile is currently available in CA, IL, NJ, OR, PA, VA & WA.

Metromile Reviews

METROMILE SPOTLIGHT
metromile logo

InvestorMint Rating

3.5 out of 5 stars

  • Pricing: Base rate + per-mile rate
  • Lost Car Locator: YES
  • Free Street Cleaning Alerts: YES

via Metromile secure site

Metromile BBB Review

From our research, Metromile customers were generally pleased with their coverage and car insurance costs.

In spite of serving a large number of customers, the auto insurer still earns an A+rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Metromile Features

Best for Low mileage drivers under 10,000 miles/yr
Billing Pay-per-mile + base rate
Which States? AZ, CA, IL, NJ, OR, PA, VA & WA
Potential Annual Savings? $500
Best Feature Helps you to find your lost car
Service Alerts Notifies you when car maintenance required
Billing Limits No charges apply above certain mileage limits
Better Business Bureau Rating A+

Is Metromile Right For You?

Metromile provides cheap insurance by charging drivers based on how much they drive rather than basing prices on their driving record. If you live in one of the eight states where this insurance is available (Arizona, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or Washington) and don’t drive frequently, it may be the best insurance option for you.

Urban Residents Will Save Money

Metromile’s pay-per-mile plan makes it cost-effective for people who drive less than 10,000 miles per year.

If you live in a city or otherwise have little reason to drive your car, Metromile allows you to maintain insurance without paying a lot of money.

Extras in Mobile App

If you need help figuring out some aspects of car ownership, you’ll enjoy using the Metromile mobile app.

The app can help you locate the area where you parked your car, track how much you spend on gas, and give you information about your car’s health and where to find a mechanic if you need to resolve a problem.

Pet Injury Protection

If you travel with pets, the collision and comprehensive insurance from Metromile offers a good deal.

With this type of coverage, if your dog or cat is injured in a motor vehicle accident, Metromile covers the first $1,000 of the pet’s medical bills.

Roadside Assistance Option

If you don’t know how to change a tire, are prone to forgetting your keys in the ignition, or have an older car that is at risk of breaking down more often, the roadside assistance available with Metromile may be just what you need.

This feature allows you to get roadside assistance should something go wrong while you’re out and about, and it may be cheaper than signing up with a separate provider for this service.

Rental Reimbursement

Are you a one-car family? If you are, your car ending up in the shop after an accident could be a major inconvenience. But with Metromile, it’s a little easier. Metromile covers up to $30 a day in rental costs for 30 days if you have to rent a vehicle while yours is being repaired after an accident.

Pro Tip: Track your trips and projected billing in real-time using the Metromile app.

How Metromile Insurance Works

metromile phone app

Policyholders receive a Pulse device that connects to their cars, tracks mileage, helps to locate the car if it is lost and notifies them when street cleaning is scheduled.

Once you sign up, you receive the Pulse device that easily connects to your car and monitors how many miles you drive each day.

The device links to the Metromile mobile app, which alerts you when street sweeping is scheduled (in certain markets), so you can avoid parking in penalty zones.

It also includes a car locator, so you don’t have to worry about finding your car in a large parking lot, a big city, or at an airport.

Your monthly payments are then calculated by adding a per mile rate to a base rate.

Metromile Rates & Pricing

Metromile quotes are based on your age, vehicle type, and driving history similar to other insurance companies but are invoiced using a base rate plus a per-mile rate.

Metromile pricing is calculated using a base rate plus a few cents per mile.

For example, if you paid a base rate of $30 plus 3.2 cents per mile for 500 miles then your total monthly premium would be $46.

metromile sample rates

At the end of the month, your bill is calculated as your base rate plus how many miles you drove at your per-mile rate.

The per-mile rates will vary based on each driver. Just like other auto insurance companies, age, vehicle type, and driving history are factors considered in quoting you a base rate and a per-mile rate.

If you drive over 250 miles in a day, you will not be charged any extra costs. In New Jersey, any mileage over 150 miles incurs no cost.

Unlike some other insurers, Metromile doesn’t consider how hard you brake or how fast you drive.

Metromile Insurance Coverage

Metromile auto insurance coverage is similar to what Geico or Progressive offer.

As you might expect from an auto insurer, coverage is extensive and includes:

  • Collision
  • Comprehensive
  • Property damage
  • Bodily injury
  • Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
  • Personal injury protection/medical payments coverage
  • Emergency roadside assistance
  • $250, $500, and $1,000 deductible options

In terms of geographical coverage, Metromile operates in the states of Arizona, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.

Metromile Review Pros and Cons

Metromile is a low-cost alternative insurance provider to Geico and Progressive for drivers who rack up low mileages annually. The Metromile mobile app includes fringe benefits like a street cleaning alert, trip data, and a car locator. 

Metromile Pros Metromile Cons
Low Rates: For low-mileage drivers, Metromile’s base rate plus per-mile rate billing can save as much as $500 annually. Privacy Concerns: If you are worried about your movements being tracked, you can turn off the GPS locator.
Lost Car Locator: Metromile can locate your car if it is lost using the same device that tracks your mileage. Coverage Area: Metromile operates only in the states of Arizona, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.
Street Cleaning Alerts: You can avoid penalty charges for parking in street sweeping zones by receiving alerts from Metromile on your mobile app. Variable Billing: Some customers don’t like the idea of billing amounts changing based on the number of miles driven, especially when taking road trips.
Cost Limit Per Day: No per-mile charges apply above 250 miles per day (or 150 in New Jersey)
Track Gas Spending: After signing into the Metromile login, track how much you spend on gas, as well as distance and speed data on the Metromile mobile app.
Penalty Free: Policyholders are not penalized for driving speeds or braking.
Service Alerts: The Metromile mobile app informs you when your car needs to be serviced.
Metromile Vs Geico: Compared to Geico, Metromile claims it could save customers as much as $500 annually.
A+ Rating: The Better Business Bureau awards Metromile an A+ rating.

Metromile Complaints

Metromile has fewer complaints than similarly sized auto insurers. The grumblings from policyholders usually fall into one of three buckets.

Privacy

A tracking device called Pulse is used to count mileage amounts and some customers don’t like the idea of Metromile tracking their movements.

Privacy buffs can choose to turn off tracking from an online dashboard – it is purely an optional feature.

If you choose to turn off the location-based tracking feature then some peripheral services, such as finding your car if it is lost, will no longer be accessible.

Billing

Some policyholders prefer a predictable monthly bill versus a variable one.

Although you won’t be charged the same amount each month (unless you drive the exact same amount each month to the mile!), we recommend you pay attention to the blended savings over a multi-month period.

While the billing may spike over summer months for example, it may be significantly lower over the winter months, depending on your daily habits.

It may turn out that even with the spike, your annual car insurance cost is significantly cheaper with Metromile, though the amount you pay in a single month is higher than you may have paid elsewhere.

Metromile FAQ

Does Metromile offer full coverage?

Metromile provides four levels of liability protection in addition to choices for comprehensive and collision deductibles.

What if I go on a roadtrip?

You won’t be penalized if you drive more than 10,000 miles because you are only charged on a per mile basis up to 250 miles per day (or 150 miles per day in the state of New Jersey).

How does billing work?

When you purchase a policy, you are charged for your first month’s base rate plus any required pre-payment. At the end of the first month, you will be charged for the next month’s base rate plus any miles driven during the previous month.

What factors does Metromile consider when issuing quotes?

Like other auto insurance providers, Metromile factors in age, driving history, vehicle type, credit history, and duration of prior insurance.

Metromile Vs Geico Vs Progressive

When you compare Metromile vs Geico, Metromile vs Progressive, Metromile vs Geico, Metromile vs AAA, Metromile vs State Farm, Metromile vs Allstate, and Metromile vs Esurance, the odds are you could save as much as $500.

That’s because most car insurance companies charge customers a monthly premium that factors in age, gender, car model, and other standard factors.

But what if you own the same car as your neighbor who is the same age as you, but you drive a lot less, shouldn’t you pay less for your auto insurance?

Metromile insurance instead rewards customers who drive less with lower car insurance premiums.

The base rate monthly plus a per-mile rate billing means that if your car is locked up in your garage most of the month you pay less than you would at another auto insurance company.

Metromile Review Summary

According to Metromile, drivers who rack up 200 miles per week or fewer can save as much as $500 annually compared to Geico and Progressive.

Metromile provides a lot of fringe benefits too, including sending you alerts when street cleaning is scheduled to take place, trip data to see how much you spend on gas, and providing a lost car locator to help you track down where you parked your car.

Where Metromile loses a few points is that it doesn’t have nationwide coverage yet and some customers find the variable pricing frustrating.

The bottom line is if you don’t drive often and are paying a high insurance premium elsewhere, Metromile is worth checking out and may very well save you money.

The article Pay-Per-Mile Car Insurance Could Cut Your Bill By 50% At Metromile was originally posted on Investormint

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Pay Per Mile Car Insurance Could Save You $64 Per Month https://investormint.com/insurance/pay-per-mile-car-insurance https://investormint.com/insurance/pay-per-mile-car-insurance#disqus_thread Thu, 10 Jan 2019 10:34:37 +0000 https://investormint.com/?p=10079 Pay-per-mile car insurance is an insurance policy option pioneered by Metromile that charges low mileage drivers a base cost plus a per-mile rate. It is aimed at saving on insurance costs for city dwellers and low mileage drivers.

The article Pay Per Mile Car Insurance Could Save You $64 Per Month was originally posted on Investormint

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metromile auto insurance
In the old days you would pay for car insurance even if you never used your car.

But these days, you can save  money on your car insurance premiums, even if you only use your vehicle for occasional trips to the local grocery store, post office or your favorite restaurant.

Now is the time to write down the mileage you currently use each month because you may discover that, like many Americans, you drive less than 200 miles a week.

Driving fewer miles means saving wear and tear on your car, truck or SUV. And that translates to savings each time you pay your insurance premium.

There’s a good chace if you drive your vehicle approximately 800 miles per month or less than 10,000 miles per year that you can pocket some serious cash savings by choosing pay per mile car insurance.

Do You Drive Less Than Average?

Metromile is a pay-per-mile insurance company aimed at drivers who do not overuse their vehicles.

With Metromile, you are rewarded with insurance savings by paying for a policy that matches your driving habits.

Whether you are a self-employed freelancer working out of your own home or you want to make a positive impact on the environment by choosing to walk or take the bus, pay-per-mile car insurance can likely save you at least $64 each month.

In a nutshell, you are likely to save money when you choose a pay-per-mile insurance policy.

METROMILE SPOTLIGHT
metromile logo

InvestorMint Rating

3.5 out of 5 stars

  • Pricing: Base rate + per-mile rate
  • Lost Car Locator: YES
  • Free Street Cleaning Alerts: YES

via Metromile secure site

Are You A Stay-At-Home
Mom Or Dad?

Most stay-at-home parents do not put more than 200 miles on their cars each month.

Equally if you’re a grandparent or retiree, you could probably pocket some extra cash each year effortlessly by switching from a traditional car insurance policy.

However, these same folks are probably also paying too much money for their car insurance policies.

If you fit into any of these categories, Metromile can probably help you to save money.

Is Your Car Sitting Idle?
Save BIG Time

If you’ve analyzed your spending in a top budgeting app and are trying to cut costs, a pay-per-mile insurance policy can help.

This is especially true if you are paying high insurance premiums for a car that sits in your garage most of the time.

And when it comes time to splurge a little or simply buy birthday presents, Christmas gifts or go on a vacation, the extra $700 or $800 per year could go a long way towards financing those purchases.

Heck, you could even donate some of the savings to your favorite charity!

Odds Are You Pay
Too Much Now

According to TechCrunch, more than two-thirds of American drivers put less than 10,000 miles on their vehicles each year.

Your current insurance premiums are not based solely on the number of miles you put on your car. Instead, you pay for all the days when your car is sitting idle in your garage.

If you are not a frequent driver, you may benefit from paying for the actual miles you put on your vehicle every year.

The Money-Saving
Idea Behind Metromile

When you sign up for a Metromile insurance policy, the company provides you with a Pulse tracking device.

Simply connect the analytical device to your vehicle so that the miles you drive are monitored on a regular basis.

The device is linked to a Metromile mobile app that diagnoses your driving habits, particularly the mileage you put on your vehicle.

Metromile also considers your age, the make and model of your vehicle, your credit history, the area in which you reside, your insurance coverage history and whether you have a decent driving record.

All of these statistics are analyzed, and the rate you pay is based on the final result.

Is Pay-Per-Mile Insurance
Right for You?

metromile dongle

You may not want to get a Metromile insurance policy if you do not appreciate the fact that your bill will fluctuate every month.

However, the ups and downs often mean paying less money for your car insurance coverage.

If you have privacy concerns, you can always turn off the Pulse tracking device.

Turning off the device, however, means that you will not have the ability to find your car if it is lost.

The bottom line is that you are the only person who knows whether this type of policy is right for you.

If you are a low-mileage driver, you can benefit when you pay for the actual miles driven per year.

Metromile Is Aimed At
City Dwellers

A Metromile insurance policy may be a good fit if you live in a metropolitan area.

Larger cities provide various means of transportation, including local bus services, trains, Uber and Lyft.

If you live in a big city and do not drive frequently, you may want to look into changing your current vehicle insurance policy to coverage offered by Metromile.

Sounds good, but how much is it?

How Much Is Pay Per Mile
Car Insurance?

With Metromile, you pay a base rate plus a per-mile rate of a few cents.

The base rate, combined with the per-mile rate, is typically lower than the average car insurance policy premium.

It’s capped, so you won’t pay through the roof if you go on a long journey.

If you live in New Jersey, mileage exceeding 150 miles per day does not have an additional fee.

If you live in any other state, you will not pay an extra charge if you drive more than 250 miles in a given day.

So, your Metromile insurance coverage is capped.

The cap protection means that you can still enjoy going on vacations without having to worry about spending more money for the extra mileage.

>> Need Renters Insurance? Check Out Lemonade

What Factors Affect Pay-Per-Mile
Car Insurance Pricing?

The cost of pay-per-mile car insurance varies depending on your age and other factors.

A clean driving record can help lower the cost of any insurance policy.

A good credit history can also help keep your costs down.

Generally speaking, you pay your base rate plus the pay-per-mile rate each month.

If your base rate is $30 and your per-mile rate is 3.2 cents per mile, you pay $30 plus 3.2 cents multiplied by the number of miles you drive during the month.

If you drive 100 miles for the entire month, your premium equals $33.20. If you drive 400 miles, your premium equals $42.80.

Pay $121/mo with GEICO
vs $57/mo with Metromile

You can readily see that paying $57 as opposed to $121 each month saves you as much as $64 monthly.

It’s worth highlighting that the GEICO rate is already among the lowest of various insurance companies.

So, you should determine whether you drive your vehicle enough miles to warrant the additional cost.

If you are a low-mileage driver, you may want to look into the possibility of changing your vehicle’s insurance coverage to a Metromile policy.

Is Pay-Per-Mile Insurance
Available In Your State?

Unfortunately, Metromile is not currently available everywhere.

You are eligible to convert to a Metromile pay-per-mile vehicle insurance policy if you live in Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Virginia, Illinois, New Jersey or Pennsylvania.

If you live elsewhere, it is still worthwhile to keep tabs on the company’s expanding insurance coverage areas.

Metromile’s management team has plans to introduce its coverage benefits to other cities in the near future.

>> Need Renters Insurance? Check Out Allstate

Cool Stuff
You Get Free With Metromile

You get more than an insurance policy with Metromile.

You have access to perks you may not receive when you sign up with GEICO or another company.

In addition to the low insurance cost based on your mileage, you also get street cleaning alerts, a car locator via the smart driving app and trip data.

You can even track your gas expenditures.

If you frequently forget where you park your car, the car locator is an extra plus that can save you time and maybe a few headaches.

If you love going on trips, the trip data is a helpful addition included in your monthly premium.

The free street sweeping alerts help you save additional money when you avoid parking in designated zones.

You also receive service alerts that let you know when it is time to bring your car in for routine maintenance.

Basically, your Metromile car insurance coverage transforms your vehicle into a smart car with advanced capabilities.

Umm, Am I Fully Covered?

A pay per mile policy from Metromile includes collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage and all other types of protections offered by mainstream insurance companies.

When you sign up with Metromile, you are protected in case of property damage and bodily injury.

You also receive personal injury protection (PIP), medical payment protection and the option of adding inexpensive roadside assistance protection.

PIP may even cover loss of income.

You can choose between a $250, $500 and $1,000 deductible.

So a Metromile insurance policy offers you the same coverage typically provided by competing insurance companies plus you receive the additional benefits previously discussed.

You automatically gain access to a 24/7 claims service department and the comfort of knowing Metromile has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Pay-Per-Mile Car Insurance
Alternatives

Metromile is the first pay-per-mile insurance company.

Nevertheless, you can find other programs offering you the chance to lower your monthly premiums.

Progressive offers its Snapshot program, and Allstate has a Drive Wise program.

Each program monitors your mileage and habitual driving patterns with the help of an installed device that tracks your speed and braking patterns to determine your monthly rate.

Metromile does not penalize your rate based on speed or your braking patterns.

If you use your car for small local trips, you may find that Metromile car insurance coverage offers you the best choice.

It provides a fresh approach to car insurance based on the number of miles driven by the insured.

This type of pay-per-mile coverage is perfect for you if you drive less than the average driver on a yearly basis.

Plus, your policy comes with free benefits that go beyond insurance coverage.

If you are a driver with above-average mileage, then Metromile is not for you.

However, if you are a mom, dad, grandmother, grandfather or retiree who does not drive your car all the time, Metromile may provide you with the perfect policy for your needs.

The article Pay Per Mile Car Insurance Could Save You $64 Per Month was originally posted on Investormint

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Esurance vs Allstate: Compare Auto Insurance Rates https://investormint.com/insurance/esurance-vs-allstate https://investormint.com/insurance/esurance-vs-allstate#disqus_thread Mon, 25 Jun 2018 12:52:57 +0000 https://investormint.com/?p=7850 Allstate auto insurance coverage is available in every state versus Esurance, which serves 42 states. Historically, Allstate has had higher customer satisfaction ratings though Esurance tends to be cheaper.

The article Esurance vs Allstate: Compare Auto Insurance Rates was originally posted on Investormint

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allstate vs esurance

Investormint provides personal finance tools and insights to better inform your financial decisions. Our research is comprehensive, independent and well researched so you can have greater confidence in your financial choices.

Are you trying to decide between Allstate car insurance and Esurance?

The choice between the two doesn’t boil down to price alone. If you want a little extra hand-holding while you compare car insurance rates, Allstate is the way to go while shoppers who need no assistance will fare better at Esurance.

For the most part, you will find lower rates at Esurance, which is no surprise given that it has no agents to employ.

Allstate employs agents to help guide you through the process of selecting auto insurance, and so it tends to charge more but it also tends to win higher marks for customer service.

As a customer, the choice between Esurance vs Allstate boils down to whether price or customer support are more important to you. But they are not the only two factors you need to weigh up when making your decision.

Here’s a list of other considerations that you should pay attention to when selecting between Allstate and Esurance.

Auto Insurance Comparison:
Allstate v Esurance?

Both Esurance and Allstate provide usage-based auto insurance. This is also known as pay-as-you-drive (or sometimes pay-how-you-drive and mile-based auto insurance).

For this type of insurance, the costs depend on the vehicle type and distance traveled, as well as other factors like the time in the vehicle, driver behavior, and location.

Unlike traditional insurance, which is designed to reward “safe” drivers with lower premiums or no claims bonuses, usage-based auto insurance rewards behaviors like driving less frequently.

How Usage Based Insurance Works?

Where traditional car insurance charges a flat rate each month, usage-based insurance prices vary depending on the amount driven.

Auto insurance companies use a variety of sources to gauge how much you drive, including:

  • Odometer readings
  • Total mileage calculated using GPS data
  • Data collected from the vehicle, including speed, time-of-day, and driving actions

Which States Does Allstate and Esurance Operate In?

According to Esurance, it operates in 42 states currently whereas Allstate operates in every state in the Union.

States where Esurance does not operate include:

  • Alaska
  • Delaware
  • Hawaii
  • Wyoming

What Vehicle Insurance Does Allstate and Esurance Provide?

Esurance and Allstate are not limited to just providing auto insurance coverage.

You can buy insurance for boats, RVs, and motorcycles too from Allstate, though Esurance may not provide coverage in every state so you will need to check online whether your state is covered depending on where you live.

 

How To Buy Insurance:
Online vs Agents?

Buy Esurance Auto Insurance Online

If you are a DIY shopper, Esurance will be your best bet because auto insurance is sold online and by phone.

It is simple to get a quote from Esurance, whether for auto or home insurance. All you need to do is enter some basic information about yourself, the cars, drivers, and select from the insurance options available.

Buy Allstate Car Insurance Via Agents

On the other hand, if you wish to compare auto insurance options and have questions along the way, Allstate is a better choice because agents assist shoppers to find the best car insurance policy.

In fact, even if you wanted to purchase auto insurance online from Allstate, you will be redirected to an agent in your local area.

 

Allstate Vs Esurance:
Claims Tracking

Esurance was built to make it easy to get quotes online as well as to process and track claims online.

To speed up the claims process compared to the old school paper and pencil approach, Esurance relies on the latest technology and tools.

Video Appraisal Estimate

With Esurance Mobile, you can speed up claims by connecting via smartphone video chat with a claims expert who will assess damage so you can get an on-the-spot estimate.

Photo Claims Estimate

Another option is to simply snap a photo of the damage to get an appraisal.

Within one business day, a claims rep will provide a repairs estimate or schedule a visit in-person if needed.

Online Repair Monitoring

To stay up to-date on the status of your claims, Esurance provides RepairView® a web-based claims tracking tool that lets you view car repair photos, email the repair shop directly, and even share photos online if you wish.

Allstate Claims Tracking

Allstate also provides sophisticated claims tracking tools, including:

  • Photo claims
  • Video claims
  • Online claims tracking
  • Online repair tracking

It’s no surprise that both Allstate and Esurance provide similar tools when it comes to claims because in 2011 Allstate purchased Esurance, though the two companies continue to operate different business models leading up to the purchase of auto insurance; Allstate relies on agents while Esurance sells online or by phone.

>> Is AAA Worth It?

Esurance vs Allstate:
Auto Claims Satisfaction

According to the J.D. Power 2017 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, Allstate beat Esurance when pleasing customers.

Allstate scored 864 points out of 1,000 on J.D. Power’s overall customer satisfaction index ranking while Esurance earned 854 points.

According to J.D. Power, both of these scores ranked “about average” in the industry.

Top of the list came Amica Mutual with 901 points while Safeco ranked at the bottom of the list with 820 points.

>> Looking For Renters Insurance, Check Out Allstate

 

Esurance vs Allstate:
Compare Pricing & Quotes

As you might expect when comparing the price of auto insurance quotes, Esurance ranks best in most states.

As mentioned above, you will need to speak with an agent to get a quote from Allstate and that means a more costly labor infrastructure than at Esurance, which handles quotes and claims online or by phone.

However, price sensitive shoppers should not rule out Allstate because it offers discounts galore, including:

Price Discounts Allstate Esurance
Anti-theft Device
Anti-lock Braking
Air Bags
Good Driver
Defensive Driver
Student Away At School
Driver Training
Green Vehicles
Pay In Full
Telematics
New Vehicle
Good Student
Multiple Policies
Multiple Vehicles
Home Owner
Military

What Other Insurance Is Available:
Allstate V Esurance?

Both Allstate and Esurance provide other types of insurance products from coverage of boats to RVs.

Where Allstate goes a step further than Esurance is in covering mobile homes too.

Type Of Insurance Allstate Esurance
Auto Insurance
Renters Insurance
Life Insurance
Condo Insurance
Boat Insurance
Motorcycle Insurance
RV Insurance
Travel Trailer Insurance
Mobile Home Insurance

 

Esurance vs Allstate:
Pros and Cons

Allstate Insurance Esurance Insurance
Guided Shopping Experience: Allstate agents can help you to find the right auto insurance policy to fit your needs. Online Experience: Esurance is best for shoppers who want a 100% online shopping experience.
Higher Customer Satisfaction: Allstate customers rank their insurer higher than do Esurance customers according J.D. Power & Associates. Online Tools: While Allstate compares well on automating claims processes and tracking repairs, Esurance gets the edge for innovating in this category.
Auto Insurance Discounts: More discounts are available through Allstate than via Esurance. Mobile Access To Experts: You can connect via smartphone video chat to Esurance experts.
Other Insurance Products: Allstate has a broader basket of insurance products if you need additional coverage. Home Owner Insurance: Esurance is best for home insurance coverage because Allstate does not offer a product.
Coverage Area: Allstate coverage spans all states versus 42 states for Esurance.

 

Esurance vs Allstate Reviews Summary

If the idea of shopping for auto insurance online doesn’t phase you, Esurance is the way to go.

Esurance has top notch online tools to help you connect via video chat with experts, submit claims, and even track repairs.

Homeowners looking for coverage will do better at Esurance too because Allstate offers no homeowner insurance product.

However, if you had to choose between Allstate or Esurance, the more established Allstate wins the overall prize because of its national coverage, higher customer satisfaction ratings, and greater number of discounts available to drivers.

With that said, if price is your deciding factor, Esurance is cheaper in most states but some exceptions exist so it is best to compare auto insurance quotes in your state before choosing one over the other.

 

The article Esurance vs Allstate: Compare Auto Insurance Rates was originally posted on Investormint

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AgileHealthInsurance Review – Low Cost Alternative To Affordable Care Act Plans https://investormint.com/insurance/agile-health-insurance-review https://investormint.com/insurance/agile-health-insurance-review#disqus_thread Mon, 18 Jun 2018 13:01:26 +0000 https://investormint.com/?p=7445 AgileHealthInsurance provides short-term health insurance, health benefit insurance, and dental insurance at lower cost than many Affordable Care Act health plans as well as more hospital and doctor choices.

The article AgileHealthInsurance Review – Low Cost Alternative To Affordable Care Act Plans was originally posted on Investormint

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agile health insurance review

Investormint provides personal finance tools and insights to better inform your financial decisions. Our research is comprehensive, independent and well researched so you can have greater confidence in your financial choices.

Some health insurance plans on healthcare.gov can be confusing to say the least and government health exchanges can be expensive and restrictive.

To help you navigate your health insurance options, AgileHealthInsurance (yup, all one word, not Agile Health Insurance) provides an online platform to compare private health plan options that do not feature on government websites.

No matter where you live, you should be able to find coverage because AgileHealthInsurance is nationally licensed.

The available health care insurance alternatives to Affordable Care Act options are extensive, including:

  • Short-term Health Insurance to protect you in case of illness or an accident.
  • Health Benefit Insurance that pays you a set amount for hospital or doctor services.
  • Healthcare Sharing Ministries which is designed for members with religious affiliations to pay for medical expenses.

In this AgileHealthInsurance review, you will discover the advantages of these health plan options, and you may be pleasantly surprised to discover the cost can be as much as 50% lower than the price charged by Obamacare.

AgileHealthInsurance Review Spotlight

AGILE HEALTH INSURANCE SPOTLIGHT
agile health insurance logo

InvestorMint Rating

4 out of 5 stars

  • Pricing: 50% Cheaper Than Obamacare Typically
  • Types of Insurance: Short-term, Health Benefit, Health Sharing Ministries, Dental Insurance
  • Benefits: Freedom to Choose Any Doctor or Hospital; No Blackout Dates

via AgileHealthInsurance secure site

Why Choose AgileHealthInsurance?

Compared to Obamacare, AgileHealthInsurance offers some key benefits:

Pricing Half the cost typically
Freedom Choose any doctor or hospital
Flexibility No blackout dates & can be purchased anytime
Financial Strength Policies underwritten by strong financial companies

Beyond short-term health insurance, health benefit insurance and health sharing ministries insurance, AgileHealthInsurance also provides dental insurance and telemedicine options so you can easily communicate online with health professionals.

Other compelling reasons to choose AgileHealthInsurance include:

  • Price Guarantee: AgileHealthInsurance guarantees that you will receive the lowest price available on short-term health insurance plans.
  • Large Selection of Health Plans: Over 5,000 short-term health insurance plans are available.
  • Fast Online Approval: You can compare health insurance plans online and receive approval in as fast as 8 minutes.

How Does Short-term
Health Insurance Work?

All you need to do to compare short-term health insurance plans is to provide AgileHealthInsurance with some personal details including:

  • Zip code
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Spouse or dependents information
  • Coverage dates
  • Preferred payment (ongoing or upfront)

From the information you provide, AgileHealthInsurance displays insurance quotes from some of the best insurance companies, including:

  • Standard Life and Accident Insurance Company
  • UnitedHealthOne
  • Everest Prime
  • National General Accident & Health
  • Everest
  • LifeShield

It’s easy to compare health insurance quotes but what short-term health coverage do you receive?

Read on…

What Do You Get With Short-term Health Insurance?

Short-term health insurance is designed to cover you for a fixed period of time.

It usually costs less than other forms of medical health insurance and has advantages over major medical insurance, such as Obamacare (ACA) and even some employer plans.

For example, short-term health insurance can be used to pay for any doctor or to visit any hospital.

And you won’t be stopped in your tracks by no open enrollment restrictions as you would elsewhere.

The approval times tend to be much faster and in some cases you can even receive health coverage as soon as the next day.

Why Choose Short-term Health Insurance Coverage?

AgileHealthInsurance provides affordable health insurance in case you miss an Annual Open Enrollment period for Obamacare/ACA plans.

Other times when short-term health insurance coverage may be right for you include:

  • When you are between jobs or looking for a less expensive COBRA alternative
  • If you are retired but too young for Medicare
  • During a waiting period before you can enroll in a major medical insurance plan
  • When your hospital doesn’t accept Obamacare or it is not available in your area
  • If you are student and no longer eligible for coverage by your parents
  • If you cannot afford Obamacare

Short-term Health Insurance
Pros and Cons

Short-term
Health Insurance Pros
Short-term
Health Insurance Cons
Affordable: Lower cost than Obamacare in many cases. As much as 50% lower in some cases. Pre-existing Conditions: Coverage is not provided if you have any pre-existing conditions.
No Enrollment Periods: You are not prohibited from applying for insurance at any time of year. Health Checks: When applying, you will be required to undergo a health evaluation.
Lower Deductibles: Compared to ACA coverage, the deductibles tend to be lower. Prescription Drugs: Coverage may not be extended to all prescription drugs.
Flexible Benefits: Both benefits and coverage can be adapted to fit your needs. Chronic Conditions: If you have a chronic condition, short-term health insurance is usually not a good option.
No Network Restrictions: Any doctor or hospital service can be accessed.
No Premium Hikes: During your coverage period, premiums cannot increase.

How Does Health Benefit
Insurance Work?

Health Benefit Insurance protects you when you need common medical services.

The way it works is health benefit insurance pays a fixed fee to you or your provider to cover a medical event.

It may also provide supplemental medical insurance for accidents and illnesses, in addition to non-insurance items including telemedicine and pharmacy.

Health Benefit Insurance provides “first dollar coverage” as opposed to co-pays and coinsurance like traditional medical insurance.

Why Choose Health Benefit Insurance Coverage?

Health Benefit Insurance means that you get paid directly, and you can spend the benefit however you wish.

So, if you want the flexibility of controlling the benefit paid directly to you then it’s a better choice than traditional coverage.

It may also be a good temporary coverage option if you are waiting to enroll in a major health insurance plan by your employer.

Other times when Health Benefit Insurance can be useful include when you don’t need major medical insurance and when you are outside of the open enrollment period for Obamacare.

Health Benefit Insurance Partners

AgileHealthInsurance partners with the following companies to provide Health Benefit Insurance:

  • Axis Core Shield
  • Axis Legion Limited Medical
  • Agile Secure
  • Chubb Agile One
  • Chubb Cardinal Choice
  • Humana Protector 360
  • Standard Life Fixed Cash Benefit

What Are Health Care
Sharing Ministries?

Through AgileHealthInsurance, you can access Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSM), but what exactly are HCSM?

Health Care Sharing Ministries are not insurance. They are cost-sharing programs that distribute monthly dues among members of a religious denomination or like-minded ethical group.

If the group does not pay for the medical expenses in full, you will be responsible for them so you don’t receive a guarantee that your medical bills will be covered.

Nevertheless, the idea is that groups of the same religious or ethical affiliation pay medical expenses for one another as part of a shared collective.

Can I Get Dental Insurance
From AgileHealthInsurance?

Dental insurance coverage is available from AgileHealthInsurance and may be the right choice if you are:

  • A student and no longer covered by your parents’ plan
  • Waiting for your employer to start a dental insurance plan
  • In between jobs or been laid off
  • On Medicare without a dental plan
  • Working part-time or have temporary work without dental coverage
  • Outside an Annual Enrollment Period for your employer

What Is AgileHealthInsurance
Telemedicine?

AgileHealthInsurance provides telemedicine plans for individuals and families using Teladoc, a leading telehealth service.

The way it works is when you feel unwell or have a health query, you can connect any time of day or night with a licensed healthcare professional.

You can request a doctor online, by mobile phone, or mobile app.

Whether you prefer a phone or video consultation, both are possible and, if necessary, prescriptions are sent to your pharmacy of choice.

Generally, teladoc doctors can diagnose health concerns ranging from a cold or flu to tonsillitis.

The range of conditions treated previously include:

Abdominal pain Bowel issues Flu Respiratory issues
Abscess Cellulitis Gas Sinusitis
Acid reflux Cold Gout Skin injury
Allergies Constipation Migraine Sore throat
Insect bite Cough Herpes Sprains
Arthritis Croup Joint pain Strep
Asthma Diarrhea Laryngitis Tonsillitis
Backache Dizziness Pink eye UTI issues
Blood pressure Eye irritation Poison ivy Menstrual issues
Bronchitis Fever Rash Yeast infection

AgileHealthInsurance
Reviews Summary

AgileHealthInsurance provides health plan options that may cost as little as $100 per month to cover medical events when other health insurance coverage options are costly or not available.

When you fall outside an Annual Enrollment Period for major medical insurance, or simply cannot access health insurance because you are a student, working part-time, or are in between jobs, short-term health insurance may be a great option.

Health Benefit Insurance is also available in similar circumstances and may be a good choice if you want to get paid directly (as opposed to your healthcare provider receiving payment) because you have more flexibility over how you spend the benefit.

Other coverage options include dental insurance which may be useful if you are on Medicare, for example, but don’t have a dental plan. And Health Care Sharing Ministries are also available via AgileHealthInsurance for like-minded religious and ethical groups.

AgileHealthInsurance has consistently scored top marks from its customers and earns an A+ rating from the Better Business  Bureau.

Its founding team has been to the forefront of online health coverage for decades so you can be confident that AgileHealthInsurance is run by an experienced team who know how to navigate the healthcare industry and deliver to you competitive health insurance options.

The article AgileHealthInsurance Review – Low Cost Alternative To Affordable Care Act Plans was originally posted on Investormint

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Policygenius Review – Compare & Buy Life Insurance 100% Online https://investormint.com/insurance/policygenius-review https://investormint.com/insurance/policygenius-review#disqus_thread Mon, 09 Apr 2018 13:01:08 +0000 https://investormint.com/?p=7045 Policygenius is an online comparison shopping engine to buy life insurance, disability insurance, health insurance, renters insurance, or pet insurance.

The article Policygenius Review – Compare & Buy Life Insurance 100% Online was originally posted on Investormint

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Advertiser Disclosure

policygenius review

InvestorMint provides personal finance tools and insights to better inform your financial decisions. Our research is comprehensive, independent and well researched so you can have greater confidence in your financial choices.

Whether you are a proud new parent looking out for your new baby or keen to provide for your family down the line, life insurance is a cornerstone of a sound financial plan.

Not only can life insurance replace income for dependents, pay final expenses, and cover taxes, but it can also create an inheritance for your heirs.

If there is one insurance policy not to overlook, it is life insurance.

And it’s never too soon to pick the right policy. But how do you find the right life insurance company to meet your needs? The short answer is…

Policygenius

Policygenius provides a comparison shopping portal for you to find top-rated life insurance companies.

It is no surprise that Policygenius earns rave reviews from customers because it only works with insurers who have been awarded high financial ratings, removes pushy agents from the sales process, and allows you to compare and shop 100% online.

No matter what kind of life insurance best meets your needs, you can compare quotes easily.

Best of all, Policygenius is 100% free so it doesn’t cost you a penny to compare life insurance options.

But what else do you need to know before shopping for life insurance at Policygenius?

Policygenius Review Spotlight

POLICYGENIUS SPOTLIGHT
policygenius logo

InvestorMint Rating

4.5 out of 5 stars

  • Pricing: Free to Compare Quotes
  • Insurance Types: Life, health, auto, pet, renters, home plus more
  • Shopping Experience: 100% Online (no pushy sales agents)

via Policygenius secure site

What Is The
Best Life Insurance Policy?

It’s easy to feel bamboozled by life insurance options, so how do you find the best life insurance policy to meet your needs?

The most common types of life insurance are term life insurance and whole life insurance.

Term Life Insurance

When balancing costs and benefits, term life insurance is typically sufficient for most people

Features of term life insurance include:

  • Provides death benefits only
  • Most affordable life insurance for most people
  • Easiest life insurance policy to purchase for most people
  • For the term of the policy, it pays benefits only if you die
  • Purchased for fixed time periods, such as 5, 10, 15 or 30 years

Term life insurance can generally be converted to whole life insurance.

Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance includes lifetime coverage and you typically need a medical examination to qualify.

Other aspects of whole life insurance include:

  • Provides death benefits plus cash value accumulation during the life of the policy
  • Cash value can be borrowed or withdrawn during the life of the policy
  • Premiums can be higher than other policies initially but, over the long term, can save money
  • Offers significant benefits when estate planning
  • Can sometimes be purchased without a medical exam, albeit for a higher cost

Whether you are looking for term life insurance, whole life insurance, or other types of life insurance, Policygenius is a top notch comparison portal designed to vastly simplify the insurance-buying process.

How Does Policygenius Work?

Policygenius helps people to get the insurance coverage they need and make them feel good about it.

And to make that happen, the first step is to provide you with unbiased advice that is jargon-free.

Next, compare quotes side-by-side to find the best option and save money.

And lastly you can apply and buy life insurance through Policygenius, and leave it to their licensed advisors to handle the details free of charge.

policygenius how it works

What Types Of Insurance
Does Policygenius Provide?

Policygenius is your portal to just about any type of insurance you may wish.

Although life insurance is its flagship product, you can find other types of insurance from disability insurance to auto insurance there too.

Policygenius Types Of Insurance Description
Life Insurance
  • Term life insurance
  • Level term life insurance
  • Return of premium life insurance
  • No medical exam life insurance
  • Whole life insurance
Disability Insurance
  • Long-term disability insurance
  • Short-term disability insurance
  • Supplemental disability insurance
  • Mortgage disability insurance
Health Insurance
  • HMO Plans
  • PPO Plans
  • EPO Plans
Renters Insurance
  • Replacement cost renters insurance
  • Cash value renters insurance
Pet Insurance
  • Accident-only plans
  • Congenital and hereditary conditions
  • Cancer and chronic diseases
Auto Insurance
  • Non-owner car insurance
  • Gap insurance
  • Ride-share insurance
  • Rental car insurance
Jewelry Insurance
  • Lost, stolen, or damaged jewelry
  • Pre-emptive repairs
  • Stone tightening
  • Restringing
  • Re-posting
  • Re-pronging
  • Re-clasping
Homeowners Insurance
  • Named perils covers only the types of disasters named in the policy
  • Open perils covers all disasters except exclusions specifically named in the policy
Identity Theft Insurance
  • Covers expenses incurred when restoring your identity and repairing your credit post-crime
Travel Insurance
  • Nonrefundable trip deposits
  • Medical evacuation
  • Lost baggage
  • Lost passport
  • Delayed travel
  • Canceled flight due to bad weather

Get Free Quotes At Policygenius

If you don’t know exactly what type of life insurance you want or need, Policygenius has an extensive library of articles to help you become more informed.

For example, if you were looking for life insurance, Policygenius provides a series of articles titled:

  • How much life insurance do you need?
  • Is term life insurance worth it?
  • Should you buy life insurance for children?

Policygenius then goes a step further and reviews companies with which it is affiliated so you get a better perspective on your options.

For example, if you are looking for renters insurance, Policygenius features reviews on Allstate, Lemonade, Geico, Progressive, State Farm, Stillwater, and Liberty Mutual.

Once you are clear about what you want, it is simple to get free quotes.

Simply enter some personal information about where you live if you are looking for renters insurance, jot down what stuff you own, and the level of the protection you need, and then checkout.

Similarly, if you were looking for life insurance, you would submit your details, enter your health details, and get free quotes in no time.

It’s as simple and intuitive as it gets, which is one of the reasons Trustpilot reviews of Policygenius are about as close to perfection as possible, almost a perfect 10.

Is Policygenius Right For You?

If you are looking to provide for your family, Policygenius is a one-stop portal to compare life insurance policies.

Policygenius connects you to insurance coverage from its partners who have financial ratings of A- or higher.

And to give you further peace of mind, Policygenius is licensed in all 50 states.

Since inception, Policygenius claims to have helped over 4.5 million people shop for insurance and protected customers with over $20 billion in coverage.

And it earns an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, so it has done an excellent job overall in serving customers and successfully resolving disputes and complaints.

Policygenius Pros and Cons

Policygenius Pros Policygenius Cons
Intuitive Portal: Every step of the insurance comparison and buying process is made simple. The widgets to walk you through getting quotes are polished and intuitive. Limited Number of Insurance Partners: Because only top rated insurance companies who already partner with Policygenius are featured, you may wish to shop around online to see what other insurance options are available.
Many Types Of Insurance: You can find health, auto, life, disability, renters, pet, jewelry, homeowners, travel, and identity theft insurance quotes. High Risk Users: Individuals with impaired risk may need to speak with experienced agents to help find the right insurance options.
Free Quotes: Policygenius makes it easy and free to compare quotes from top insurance companies.
Extensive Knowledge Base: You can learn more about any type of insurance coverage featured by Policygenius in its extensively library of articles and resources.
High Rated Partners: Policygenius only partners with insurance companies who have financial ratings of A- or above.
National Coverage: Users in all 50 states can shop for insurance coverage with Policygenius.
100% Online: The entire process of comparing and buying insurance can be done entirely online so you can avoid high pressure insurance sales agents.
Extraordinary Ratings: Policygenius earns a near perfect 10 score on TrustPilot and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Policygenius Reviews Summary

If the idea of calling a life insurance sales agent who may pressure you into purchasing an insurance policy you don’t fully understand gives you the heebie-jeebies, Policygenius is a 100% online comparison engine to help you find life insurance policy to best meet your needs.

It’s 100% free to get quotes so you don’t have to worry about hidden fees being tacked on after you choose a policy.

Whether you are looking for life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance, or a range of other types from auto insurance to pet insurance, Policygenius connects you only to insurance companies that have been awarded high financial ratings.

From start to finish, it is easy to compare and buy insurance. The process is simple, fast and the user experience is friendly and intuitive.

Who Is The Team Behind Policygenius?

Policygenius got its start in 2014 when its founders, Jennifer Fitzgerald and Francois de Lame, realized that buying insurance is a painful process for consumers who are often made uncomfortable by pushy sales agents.

Even when people buy insurance, they often wonder whether they are on the hook for something they might have missed in the small print of their insurance policies.

Spotting these problems, Fitzgerald and de Lame were inspired to create a better way to shop for insurance and Policygenius was born.

Extra, Extra!
Who Are Policygenius Partners?

Policygenius partners include the best known insurance brands in the United States.

And all of them have earned financial ratings of A- or higher to qualify as partners on the Policygenius platform.

Policygenius Types Of Insurance Partners
Life Insurance
  • AIG
  • Banner Life
  • Brighthouse Financial
  • John Hancock
  • Liberty Mutual Insurance
  • Lincoln Financial Group
  • Mutual of Omaha
  • Pacific Life
  • Principal Financial Group
  • Protective
  • Prudential
  • SBLI
  • Transamerica
Disability Insurance
  • Mutual of Omaha
  • Principal
  • MassMutual
  • Ameritas
  • Guardian
  • The Standard
  • Assurity
Health Insurance
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Humana
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Cigna
  • Oscar
  • Molina Healthcare
  • EmblemHealth
  • Ambetter Health
  • Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare
  • Medica
  • Anthem
Renters Insurance
  • Lemonade
  • Allstate
  • Statefarm
  • Progressive
  • Geico
  • Stillwater
  • Liberty Mutual
Pet Insurance
  • Petfirst
  • PetsBest
  • ASPCA
Auto Insurance
  • Coverhound
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Allstate
Jewelry Insurance
  • Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company
Homeowners Insurance
  • Stillwater Insurance Group
  • Liberty Mutual
  • USAA Military Families
Identity Theft Insurance
  • Lifelock
  • MyIDCare
Travel Insurance
  • SquareMouth
  • Allianz
  • Travelex

Policygenius FAQ

What makes Policygenius different from other insurance sites?

Insurance sales agents can be pushy, which makes for an uncomfortables shopping experience.

At Policygenius, you can compare and shop 100% online.

The sales agents employed by Policygenius are available if you have questions. They are salaried not commissioned, so they don’t make more when you buy. That makes for a more enjoyable experience when comparing insurance options.

If it’s free to get quotes, how does Policygenius make money?

When you buy an insurance policy, Policygenius earns a commission.

However, it is baked into the price of the policy you are quoted, so you don’t pay additional fees beyond the price quoted to you.

Is Policygenius licensed?

Yes it is licensed in all 50 states and Washington D.C.

Is Policygenius an insurance agent or broker?

Policygenius is an independent insurance broker that is unaffiliated with any insurance companies.

Because Policygenius represents many insurance companies, it claims to have no bias towards any individual company.

Can you buy life insurance for less through Policygenius?

You can save money by comparing insurance policies of different insurance companies.

Because insurers compete to win your business, they offer the best prices on their best products.

However, you cannot get a cheaper price for a given life insurance policy from a particular insurance company through Policygenius, or from another broker or even directly from the specific insurance company.

The reason for this is that each insurance company is required by law to file prices with state regulators and everyone has to abide by them; it is illegal to discount prices below those price levels.

The article Policygenius Review – Compare & Buy Life Insurance 100% Online was originally posted on Investormint

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Direct Auto Insurance Review – Auto & Life Insurance https://investormint.com/insurance/direct-auto-insurance-review https://investormint.com/insurance/direct-auto-insurance-review#disqus_thread Thu, 22 Feb 2018 13:55:52 +0000 https://investormint.com/?p=6474 Direct Auto insurance provides car insurance, life insurance, and emergency protection insurance to customers in the southeast of the United States.

The article Direct Auto Insurance Review – Auto & Life Insurance was originally posted on Investormint

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direct auto insurance review

InvestorMint provides personal finance tools and insights to better inform your financial decisions. Our research is comprehensive, independent and well researched so you can have greater confidence in your financial choices.

Unlike many other auto insurers, Direct Auto & Life insurance welcomes drivers who may have a poor driving record. Regardless of your driving history, you may be eligible for coverage.

Direct Auto Insurance scores well when it comes to providing insurance for those who may otherwise have been rejected due to a history of accidents or low credit. And it also features a comprehensive auto insurance Emergency Protection Plan.

Where Direct Auto Insurance seems like it could improve is in providing top notch customer care. The company has received an abundance of complaints relating to claims payouts and billing.

The auto insurer may be a fit for residents in the southeast, where it has a presence in thirteen states.

Direct Auto Insurance Review Spotlight

DIRECT AUTO INSURANCE SPOTLIGHT
direct auto insurance logo

InvestorMint Rating

2.5 out of 5 stars

  • Emergency Protection Plan: YES
  • Roadside Assistance: YES
  • Safe Driver Discounts: YES

via Direct Auto Insurance secure site

Direct Auto Insurance Coverage

Direct Auto insurance features a wide range of coverage options, including:

Bodily Injury Liability Coverage

In the event that you are liable for a car accident, Bodily Injury Liability Coverage helps to pay for medical expenses, and if necessary, legal services.

Most states mandate Bodily Injury Liability Coverage as part of the minimum auto insurance coverage provided.

Usually, you will see this quoted as two figures, such as $10,000/$20,000.

The first number, $10,000, covers the injury or death of any person in a single accident.

The second figure, $20,000, covers the injury or death of more than one person in a single accident.

Property Damage Liability Coverage

Property Damage Liability Coverage covers not just damage to another person’s car but also damage caused to mailboxes, guardrails, fences, or even a home in the event of an accident.

This coverage is designed to protect you if you cause damage to another person’s property. It does not cover damage to your own vehicle that might be caused from the same accident.

Like Bodily Injury Liability Coverage, it is a minimum requirement usually in most states.

Collision Coverage

Collision Coverage is needed to pay for damage to your car if you hit someone or some thing.

Whether you hit another car or object, like a guardrail, or your car is hit, Collision Coverage is designed to pay for the repair bill minus a deductible.

If you have an older car that is not worth a whole lot, Collision Coverage may not be worth the cost.

On the other hand, if your car is leased, you may not have a choice but to choose Collision Coverage because your contract or lienholder may demand it.

Comprehensive Coverage (other than Collision)

If your car is damaged through some means other than collision, such as theft, vandalism, contact with an animal, a natural disaster, comprehensive coverage is designed to pay for repairs.

When damage occurs and repairs are needed, the costs are split between your auto insurer and you depending on the deductible you selected.

Generally, you will pay lower premiums if you choose a higher deductible. And equally, if you choose a low deductible, which is the portion you pay for repairs, you will likely pay higher monthly premiums.

Medical Payments Auto Coverage

Med Pay, or Medical Payments Auto Coverage, helps to pay for the costs of medical expenses in the event of a car accident.

The coverage extends not only to hospital and medical expenses, but also to funeral costs too if needed.

No matter who is at fault, Med Pay provides coverage, and it typically moves with you. That means when you are riding in another person’s car, taking public transportation, or simply out walking, you are usually still covered.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal Injury Protection is limited to bodily injuries and does not extend to cover damage to property or your car.

It helps to pay not only for medical, hospital, and funeral expenses, but also lost wages incurred by you, passengers in your insured vehicle, and pedestrians injured in an auto accident.

Uninsured Motorist Auto Coverage

What happens if you get into an accident with an uninsured motorist who is at fault?

Uninsured Motorist Auto Coverage helps to pay for medical and related expenses in this situation.

Rental Reimbursement

If your car cannot be driven following an accident, Rental Reimbursement helps to pay for the cost of a rental car.

Rental reimbursement is an optional coverage item and is not state-required.

If you have a second vehicle, it may not be worth it. However, if you don’t have any fallback option, it may be worth the additional premium payment.

Towing

two truck with carIf you need emergency towing, Towing & Labor coverage is designed to pay for the cost of towing.

Like Rental Reimbursement, it is optional and supplemental coverage on your auto insurance policy.

Where Towing comes in handy is where you leave work one day, for example, and discover your engine doesn’t start and you need towing assistance.

Accidental Death Coverage

If you were to die as a result of a covered accident, the Accidental Death Coverage addition on your policy would pay your beneficiary a $5,000 death benefit.

Like Towing and Rental Reimbursement, Accidental Death Coverage is an optional selection on your auto insurance policy.

Direct Auto &
Life Insurance Policies

Beyond auto insurance, Direct Auto & Life Insurance, which is a part of the Direct General Insurance Group, provides additional insurance products:

Direct Auto & Life Insurance Products Coverage Options
Motorcycle Insurance
  • Bodily Injury Liability
  • Motorcycle Guest Passenger Liability
  • Property Damage Motorcycle Coverage
  • Collision Motorcycle Coverage
  • Comprehensive Motorcycle Coverage
  • Personal Injury Protection
  • Uninsured Motorist Motorcycle Coverage
  • Custom Parts & Equipment or Accessories Coverage
  • Motorcycle Replacement Coverage
  • Towing
Roadside Assistance
  • 24-hour Emergency Towing
  • Gas & Essential Fluid Delivery
  • Lost Key & Lockout Service
  • Jump Starts
  • Mechanical Help
  • Map Service
Life Insurance
  • Term Life Insurance
    • Up to $15,000 coverage
Medicare
  • Medicare Part A (hospital insurance)
  • Medicare Part B (medical insurance)
Accident Medical Expense
  • Covers extra, unexpected costs not covered by some other insurance options
Emergency Protection
  • Hospital Stay Benefit
  • Accident Medical Expense Reimbursement
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment
  • Ambulance Assistance
  • Mechanical First Aid
  • Auto Rental Reimbursement & Lost Personal Effects Coverage
  • Trip Planning Services & Travel Discounts
Mexico Auto Insurance
  • Civil Liability Coverage
  • Legal, Bond, and Bail Assistance
  • Medical Expense
  • Comprehensive & Collision
  • Total Theft Protection
  • 24-hour Roadside Assistance
Commercial Auto Insurance
  • Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability Coverage
  • Uninsured Motorist
  • Underinsured Motorist
  • Medical Payments
  • Hired Auto & Employer’s Non-Ownership Liability
  • Collision Comprehensive
  • Fire & Theft with CAC

Direct Auto Insurance Reviews

Where Direct Auto Insurance falls short compared to many rivals is in the areas of customer reviews and complaints.

From our research, most complaints stem from delays in processing claims following accidents.

Billing issues, delays in receiving payouts, and time delays related to repairs featured among common customer complaints.

At the time of our research, Direct Auto Insurance Chicago featured an F rating according to the Better Business Bureau.

Make sure not to confuse Direct Auto Insurance, which operates under the DirectGeneral.com domain name with the Direct General Group of Companies, which has an A+ rating according to the Better Business Bureau.

Direct Auto Insurance
Financial Strength

In terms of its ability to pay claims, Direct Auto Insurance has improved its financial standing according to A.M. Best.

Date Financial Strength Rating Long-term Issuer Credit Rating
9/27/2017 A- a-
6/28/2016 B u bb+ u
2/10/2016 B bb+
11/05/2014 B bb+
10/17/2013 B bb+
10/23/2012 B bb+

Source: A.M.Best

In terms of its financial size, it is estimated to be in the $1 billion to $1.25 billion range and receives an overall rating of A- (excellent) from A.M. Best.

Direct Auto Insurance Quote

When you purchase a policy, you may need to pay a downpayment so factor that into any Direct Auto Insurance Quote you receive.

Whether you are getting a car insurance quote, motorcycle insurance quote, or even life insurance quote, you should ask about the finer details too, like how different deductibles will affect your premium payments.

When you get a life insurance quote for example, you may also need to make a down payment. And coverage extends for six to twelve month terms up to $15,000. If you wish to renew your policy you may do so.

Ask what discounts are available too when exploring Direct Auto Insurance quotes. You may be eligible for lower rates if you fall into any of the following categories:

  • Senior citizen
  • Active duty service members
  • Safe driver
  • Good student
  • Low mileage driver

Direct Auto Insurance
Pros and Cons

Direct Auto Insurance Pros Direct Auto Insurance Cons
Less Restrictions: Regardless of prior driving history, you may be eligible for a loan from Direct. Geographic Coverage: Direct has a presence primarily in the southeast of the country but does not have nationwide coverage.
Financial Strength: A.M. Best awards Direct an A- rating, equivalent to excellent, which signals its financial strength to pay out claims is high. Customer Complaints: Direct has a higher number of complaints than many of its rivals.
Discount Options: Senior citizens, good students, safe drivers, low mileage drivers, and active duty service members are eligible for discounts. Better Business Bureau Rating: The Better Business Bureau awards Direct Auto Insurance an F rating, its lowest level.
Wide Variety Insurance Policies: Beyond auto insurance, Direct offers motorcycle insurance, life insurance, emergency protection, Mexico auto insurance, Medicare, accidental medical expense coverage, and commercial auto insurance coverage.
Emergency Protection Plan: Direct offers a comprehensive emergency protection plan that includes hospital stay benefits and accidental medical expense coverage.

Direct Auto Insurance
Reviews Summary

Direct Auto Insurance provides more than just car insurance. You can get life insurance, emergency protection plans, and even coverage when driving in Mexico too.

If you live in the southeast of the United States, Direct has over 400 locations and earns an A- rating according to A.M. Best for its financial strength.

You may find it to be a good fit if you had a car accident previously or poor credit and are having difficulty securing vehicle insurance elsewhere.

Direct also offers a free DirectDrive app that tracks braking and accelerating so you can view your driving compared to others and potentially earn low mileage or safe driver discounts.

One obvious drawback of Direct is the high volume of customer complaints the company receives, so if it may be worth checking out other companies like Allstate as part of your comparison shopping.

The article Direct Auto Insurance Review – Auto & Life Insurance was originally posted on Investormint

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