As I mentioned in a previous post I used AccuQuote.com to comparison shop for life insurance policies for my wife and myself a while back. I had actually compiled a list of notes while going through the process with the intent of writing a review. While it may have taken a while to finally get down to write, here is that review. I hope you find it useful.
For those unfamiliar with the concept of AccuQuote.com, it’s a one-stop shopping site for life insurance quotes. It allows you to search and compare offers from various insurers based on your own criteria.
Using the web site is really quite simple. For example, to get started, you simply go to web site and click the “Get a Free Quote” button.
You then enter basic info like your first name, last name address, phone #, email, as well as your gender, DOB, height and weight.
Next, select the amount of coverage desired. (read Life insurance: how much do I need?) and select type of insurance (read Life insurance: what kind should I buy?). Then specify whether you’re looking to buy new coverage, additional coverage, or a replacement policy.
Next comes the most involved (and personal) part of the process – your health history!
You’ll have to answer the following questions:
- Do you use nicotine?
- Do you take prescription medication regularly?
- Have you ever been diagnosed with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer or depression?
- Have you had any major surgeries?
- Did any of your parents or siblings have cardiovascular disease or cancer, prior to age 60?
Then there are some questions that aim to gauge your lifestyle risk:
- Do you engage in any hazardous activities such as private piloting or scuba diving?
- In the past 10 years, have you had any DUI’s, or have you had more than 2 moving violations in the past 3 years?
- Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
- In the past 5 years, have you filed for bankruptcy?
It’s important to note that you would be asked these questions by any reputable insurance agent regardless of where you went to purchase life insurance.
After the health history and lifestyle questions, you need to select your desired rate class: Preferred Plus, Preferred or Standard Rated.
The site has plenty of easy to use references for how best to answer the questions, and how to decide the amount and type of insurance you need. These are interesting and helpful, but you should definitely do your own research before using the first value you see.
At the end of this section, all that’s left is submitting your information. After you click the submit button you will be contacted by email with a list of 5 or so insurance providers detailing their rates, terms and conditions.
In the next couple of days I received a phone call (my preferred type of notification) during the time which I specified was best to reach me. The person on the other end was my AccuQuote agent. He discussed the options available to me and actually recommended the one I had independently chosen – and it was NOT the most expensive! It was the 3rd most expensive option, but the cheapest option with an AA+ rating (in fact it was cheaper than some A rated companies!)
The company rating was important to me because I wanted to be sure that if my wife and kids ever needed the insurance (i.e.: in the event of my untimely demise), they would receive payment in a timely and hassle-free manner.
After selecting the insurance company and policy I desired, it was time to prove that I was really as healthy as I said. This meant blood work. I was expecting to have to drive 20-30 minutes out of my way to the nearest hospital lab. I was wrong. AccuQuote employs local visiting nurses to drive to your home (or place of work if so desired) and do that vampire like voodoo that they do so well. So, a couple of CC’s (it felt like pints!) of blood later, I was on my way to work and verified preferred plus a couple of days later.
After all of that, they mailed out the application and once I signed it and returned it, I was fully insured in the event that I shuffled off this mortal coil. Provided, of course, that it was not by my own hand within 3 months of completing the process. Suicide, it seems, is only covered after the 3 month grace period. Who knew?
i dont think buying online insurance is a good way to do it. you should go to your local insurance agent to make sure it is legit.
That’s the point – AccuQuote doesn’t sell insurance online, they allow you to search their database of insurance providers and provide you with a list of “traditional” insurance providers. The only difference between buying insurance from State Farm (for example) through AccuQuote and buying it from your local State Farm rep is cost – AccuQuote is likely to be cheaper, and they’ve allowed you to comparison shop the companies in one shot.
Accutrade is a very legit company, and it’s founder, Byron Udell, is considered a top life insurance industry expert. So, of course, all of the companies that they recommend are solid.
hımm nice informations
thank you
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