Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of services we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Insurance Quote.

Ratings

Types of Insurance Quoted

This rating criterion refers to the different type of insurance policies available; for example, some companies may focus primarily on auto or home insurance, while others may offer coverage for professional liability or medical malpractice.

Ease of Use of Service

Websites should be easy to use. Unlike a program that is used every day, these sites may only be visited several times, so they need to be easy to the use the first time. Visitors should be able to find links and menus quickly.

Quotes Supplied

The total number of quotes that can be expected after filling out the quote request form. A good service will offer more than one quote, so that you can evaluate which option best suits your insurance needs.

Help/Support Options

Customer support should offer a variety of contact methods including telephone, email and instant message. Other supports may range from help menus to FAQs pages.

Features

Free Quotes - No Obligation

This service is free to the inquirer and requires no obligation to purchase any type of insurance policy from any agent or company that supplies a quote.

Is this Service Provider an Insurance Agency?

Asks whether the service provider is an insurance company or agency, or a free to the consumer referral service. A referral service should have access to many agencies and companies, to be able to search through and provide many options.

Number of Quotes Supplied

This is the approximate number of quotes that you can expect to receive after inquiring about services; this may depend on where you live, what kind of coverage desired and how many agents or companies cover your location.

Quotes Received Via eMail

Many services will offer the option of receiving quotes by email.

Nationwide Service

An insurance company or referral service that offers nation wide service can offer coverage options for any where in the United States.

Canada

An agency or referral service that can access insurance companies that offer coverage in the Canadian Providences.

Number of Partner Companies

The quantity of companies or agencies that have teamed up with the referral service to provide quotes to consumers who are shopping insurance rates and coverage options.

Credit History Required for Auto Insurance

Typically, auto insurers may require a credit history report when applying for auto insurance. Credit information often is requested for other types of insurance as well.

Is Personal Information kept Private

Personal information may be sold to agents, agencies or insurance companies that prepare the quotes. These arrangements should be disclosed to the inquirer.

Privacy Policy

A disclosure offered by an organization that relates information on how it collects, uses and releases personal information. It should define consumer rights and obligations, security safeguards as well as notice of data disclosures and transfers.

Can Agents Sign-Up with this Service

Many referral services allow agents or companies to apply for access to referrals. The more agencies and companies that work with a service the more options they can provide.

How Agents Contact You

Via eMail

Agents may send quotes to an email address.

Via Telephone

Agents may contact you with your quote by telephone.

Via Fax

Agencies or agents have the ability to send quotes to a fax machine.

Types of Insurance Quoted

Auto

Auto insurance may provide coverage for financial loss, property damage, liability or medical expenses in relation to an automobile accident or theft.

Motorcycle

Covers financial loss, property damage, liability or medical expenses in relation to a motorcycle accident or theft. Several states—including California—require coverage before the bike leaves the sales lot. Insurance agencies may consider the type of motorcycle, the driver's age and driving record as well as where and how often the bike will be used when preparing a quote.

ATV

Many people falsely believe that their ATV is 100% covered by their homeowners insurance, but this may not apply when the vehicle is away from the boundaries of the property, which is usually the case. Additional liability insurance may offer protection from damage or theft and coverage for accidents, bodily injury or property damage.

Boat

Most water vehicles—such as small powerboats and sailboats-fall under the definition of boat. Typically boat insurance covers physical damage or liability. Unlike homeowners insurance, boat coverage may offer protection from hurricanes and tornadoes. However, most policies will not cover personal items such as fishing equipment or computers.

Watercraft

Other water vehicles that are not boats. Policies typically cover bodily injury or property damage; additional coverage may be available for medical payments, uninsured boaters and personal effects.

RV

Many auto insurance companies can provide coverage for RVs, but most will not cover internal components such as appliances and plumbing. RV-specific insurance may cover collision, uninsured/underinsured motorist, comprehensive, injury, damage or equipment. Additional options are available if the RV is used full-time as a primary residence.

Auto Warranty

Often called "Mechanical Breakdown Insurance," this coverage may pick up where a Vehicle Service Contract (VSC) leaves off or offer assistance if a valid claim is not paid by the VSC. Most warranties or VSCs are backed by their own insurance policy of which the consumer should have direct access.

Homeowners

Insurance combines liability insurance and hazard insurance and protects homeowners against property and casualty damage. Additional coverage may be required to cover natural disasters and possessions.

Condominium

The condo association usually provides insurance on the property and common areas shared by the other owners. However, these policies usually do not cover personal property, legal responsibility or improvements or custom additions to the unit.

Renters

Renters insurance provides coverage for damage or loss of personal belongings or damage to the property caused by the renter.

Flood

As with earthquake insurance, basic homeowners does not include flood damage. This coverage must be obtained through a provider that works with the National Flood Insurance Program, overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Life

Life insurance pays a monetary benefit upon the death of the insured.

Term Life

Offers protection for a limited number of years and then expires without value. Generally used for temporary protection.

Whole Life

Provides protection while building a cash value account that the insurance company manages.

Universal Life

Pays a death benefit from a tax deferred cash account. This account can be borrowed against and earns market interest rates.

Mortgage Protection

Private mortgage insurance is a type of coverage that protects the lender if the borrower defaults on the loan. Most lenders require borrowers to pay Private Mortgage Protection (PMI) premiums whenever they make a down payment of less than 20 percent of the purchase price.

Fixed Annuities

An insurance company may offer an investment contract that pays a fixed return at a specified date; the earnings are tax differed until the interest is withdrawn. The insurance company insures the principle. The payments can be fixed to disperse in payments for life or for a certain period of time.

Health

Health or medical insurance may cover a portion of emergency medical expenses or routine health care. Many insurance companies require that the patient see a preferred provider or facility, and payment is based on Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code and the type of insurance purchased.

Group Health

Coverage of a number of individuals under one insurance contract. An employer will often purchase this type to cover employees.

Individual and Family Health

A policy that may cover an individual and/or members of the individual's family.

Corporate Group Plans

Offers coverage for employees and customized policies for officers. May include medical as well as long-term or post retirement care and life insurance.

Long Term Care

Coverage option for long-term illness, disability or cognitive disorders. Long-term differs from medical coverage in that it helps the person to maintain a certain level of functioning, whereas medical is aimed towards rehabilitation or correction.

Disability

Replaces a percentage of lost wages due to injury or illness, usually short-term (less than two years), long-term or life-time. It is often intergraded with Social Security benefits or other public program, may pay more if the person is turned down by Social Security and is not to exceed 60 percent of earnings.

Senior

Insurance that may cover individuals over 65 years of age. This insurance often offers options for nursing home care, burial expenses and life insurance.

Medicare Plans

Individual or group policy that covers deductibles, co-payments or expenses not covered by Medicare.

Dental Plans

Insurance packages that offer assistance for dental services; may or may not cover oral surgery, orthodontics or cosmetic services.

Vision Health

Coverage for routine eye exams; may or may not cover eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Rx Drug Savings Plans

A savings card that offers reduced prices on some prescription drugs.

Business

Insurance that offers protection against allegations of negligent activities or failure to offer reasonable care/service, similar to Professional Liability and Error and Omission coverage.

Business Owners

A plan that offers multiple types of coverage that may include property damage/loss, disaster income, damage to signs, loss of securities, loss of paperwork, computer loss, damage from backed-up sewers, hired autos or employee honesty.

Commercial Auto & Truck

Commercial vehicles involved in an accident may or may not be covered by personal auto insurance. Commercial insurance can offer protection for business-use vehicles, rented vehicles and employee-owned automobiles.

Workers Compensation

Coverage offered to employers to cover work-related injuries.

Liability

Liability insurance offers coverage against financial obligation or debt an individual or institution may claim against an individual or organization.

Professional Liability

Coverage that offers protection against a client that claims error or failure to perform services. It often helps with legal defense, including resulting judgments and court costs. Some policies offer coverage over W2 employees and 1099 subcontractors.

E&O (Errors & Omissions)

Similar to Professional Liability, covers errors and failure to perform contracted work.

Malpractice

Protects against claims of improper actions or failure to exercise proper skill by a professional or others involved with the care and treatment of the human body.

Travel Insurance

Often offered to cover a single trip or multi-trips. It sometimes covers car rentals. Travel insurance often covers overseas medical and dental expenses, cancellation and lost deposit expenses, and loss of luggage or travel documents. Travel insurance may also cover overseas death, burial and/or transport. It can also include liability coverage if you cause property damage or injure another person.

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