Insurance
Find news and advice on homeowners, renters, auto and life insurance.
Car Insurance
Auto insurance protects your finances from the unexpected. Use our car insurance tools to generate quotes, compare coverage options and find the best insurance company for you. Bankrate’s editorial team curated these top auto insurance picks for your budget.
Homeowners Insurance
If anything happens to your home or belongings, home insurance can protect you financially. Find out how much home insurance you need, how much you’ll pay, and what company is best for you with our online tools.
Life Insurance
Life insurance helps you financially care for your loved ones after you pass away. Bankrate is here to help you compare quotes and find the best life insurance company for you.
Insurance Basics
![Car in California national park](https://www.bankrate.com/2019/03/27140314/Auto-insurance-overview.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
What is car insurance?
Car Insurance
Car insurance provides financial security to drivers and is often required to drive.
![Asian single mother with her two children in the kitchen, showing them how to bake a cake.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/10/02141749/what-is-homeowners-insurance-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
What is homeowners insurance and how does it work?
Homeowners Insurance
Bankrate explains homeowners insurance and how it works.
![Family with child enjoying a nice time in the park on a clear day](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/09/12172157/Insurance_Guide_to_life_insurance.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
Guide to life insurance
Insurance
Life insurance may seem confusing, but Bankrate’s experts are here to help.
Insurance Reviews
Latest Articles
![An Asian financial advisor goes over some things with a client.](https://www.bankrate.com/2011/01/04120902/selling-your-life-insurance-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Selling your life insurance policy can be tempting, but there is much to consider.
![An older black man sits at his table with his phone and a list of finance reports to review.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/07/24103848/universal-life-insurance-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Flexible life insurance with lasting benefits – explore universal life insurance.
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Reddit is full of insurance advice — but not all of it is helpful.
![Driver sitting in their car with the window down, reviewing documents. The car is not in motion.](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/10/02094529/What-is-a-car-insurance-policy-number.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Everything you need to know about your car insurance policy number.
![Black woman sits on passenger side of car with her face and arm out the window, enjoying the breeze.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/08/28142703/fr44-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Learn everything you need to know about an FR-44 with Bankrate’s guide.
![Young couple sitting in car, woman holding smartphone, pointing directions, rear view](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/12/10142932/car-temporary-car-insurance-new-york-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Learn how to get temporary car insurance in New York and how much it costs.
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Is a citation a ticket? Bankrate explores what these two terms mean.
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Your state’s elections could impact the cost of auto and home insurance.
![Person on computer](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/09/03133225/Insurance-Im-a-licensed-insurance-agent-who-looked-at-insurance-advice-on-Reddit-Heres-what-I-found.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Reddit is full of insurance advice — but not all of it is helpful.
![Driver sitting in their car with the window down, reviewing documents. The car is not in motion.](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/10/02094529/What-is-a-car-insurance-policy-number.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Everything you need to know about your car insurance policy number.
![Black woman sits on passenger side of car with her face and arm out the window, enjoying the breeze.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/08/28142703/fr44-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Learn everything you need to know about an FR-44 with Bankrate’s guide.
![Young couple sitting in car, woman holding smartphone, pointing directions, rear view](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/12/10142932/car-temporary-car-insurance-new-york-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Learn how to get temporary car insurance in New York and how much it costs.
![woman stopped by police](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/04/01153756/Untitled-121.png?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Is a citation a ticket? Bankrate explores what these two terms mean.
![A woman stands outside of her smart car and activates it using her smartphone.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/07/14171048/smart-car-insurance-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Wondering what it costs to insure a smart car? Bankrate can help.
![Using calculator and laptop in kitchen](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/06/16161445/outreach-cancelling-drivers-license-after-death-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Bankrate reviews what you need to do to cancel a driver’s license after a death.
![Charging an electric car in public station by the street, The Netherlands](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/09/02111842/electric-vs-gas-vehicles.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Are electric cars cheaper than gas? Bankrate explores this and more.
![Person voting](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/08/30115342/Insurance_How_could_this_years_election_cycle_affect_your_insurance.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Your state’s elections could impact the cost of auto and home insurance.
![mother and daughter grilling in backyard of home](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/04/30154747/Declaration-Page-800-450.png?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
The declarations page is a summary of your home insurance policy.
![Person reviewing their taxes and/or financial documentation](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/07/13132543/Insurance_What_is_a_Moratorium.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Did your homeowners insurance company issue a moratorium? Here’s what it means.
![A close-up of a house near the roof where there is damage done by termites. There is a graphical overlay with solid colors.](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/11/05135629/Insurance_Does_homeowners_insurance_cover_termites.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
When does homeowners insurance cover termite damage? Bankrate has answers.
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HO-3 vs. HO-5 home insurance — what you need to know to select the right policy.
![Hispanic family enjoying a nice dinner out on the porch.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/10/08194350/ho5-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
HO-5 insurance provides some of the broadest protection for your home.
![Child going through an old box of jewelry.](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/01/21134033/Insurance_Does-homeowners-insurance-cover-jewelry_.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Understand how your homeowners insurance covers jewelry and learn how to increase coverage to prevent financial loss from theft or damage.
![Wall and flooring removed to reveal black mold growing.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/06/08145106/home-insurance-mold-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Find out when home insurance covers mold — and when it does not.
![A mother and daughter smile together for a picture. The mother is wearing a silk scarf over hear head as she is undergoing chemotherapy.](https://www.bankrate.com/2014/03/25154043/life-insurance-for-cancer-patients-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
It’s tough for a person with cancer to buy a life insurance policy, though it’s not impossible.
![A man and a woman are out at a cafe. The man is holding a cigarette between his fingers.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/11/12150222/how-long-does-tobacco-stay-in-your-system-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Learn about the impact smoking has on life insurance eligibility and premiums.
![](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/06/29165745/Gender-Gap-in-Life-Insurance-1280-720.png?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Bankrate plumbs the depths of the gender gap in life insurance.
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Bankrate explains how life insurance premiums work and why they are so personalized.
![A couple and their child review their finances with a consultant.](https://www.bankrate.com/2011/11/30114049/question-for-life-insurance-agent-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Meeting with a life insurance agent? Here’s what you might want to ask them.
![A granddaughter holding her grandpa's hand and staring at the sunset.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/11/06131553/contingent-beneficiaries-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Bankrate explains how to choose a contingent beneficiary.
![A couple going over tax documents with a professional.](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/12/28104944/Insurance_What-is-an-irrevocable-beneficiary_.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
It’s important to understand the different types of life insurance beneficiary.
![Two people reviewing their life insurance policies on a laptop.](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/12/18153803/Insurance-Are-life-insurance-loans-a-bad-idea.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Considering taking a loan on your life insurance? Bankrate gives you the pros and cons.
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