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
![Downtown Tennessee city with busy traffic](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/02/03112231/tennessee-car-insurance-laws-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Explore Tennessee’s car insurance laws and the consequences of not meeting them.
![aerial view of houses in southern California](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/02/25160234/Understanding-Californias-FAIR-plan.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
The CA FAIR Plan is an insurance plan of last resort. Coverage is limited and pricey.
![Graphic of a car](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/02/29151906/Insurance-What-is-Gap-Insurance-Reviewed-by-Experts.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Protect your investment: Learn how gap insurance covers your car loan shortfall.
![Dog sticking his head out the window while the car he is riding in is in traffic.](https://www.bankrate.com/2019/07/07130657/tips-first-time-buyers-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Buying car insurance for the first time? Follow these auto insurance tips.
![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=1:1&width=356)
Bankrate explains homeowners insurance and how it works.
![Man sat in a cafe using his computer](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/04/20210336/high-risk-auto-insurance-new-jersey-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Bankrate investigates cheap carriers for high-risk car insurance in New Jersey.
![Mechanic man explaining to his customer the defect of his car in a repair shop](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/11/12105557/car-why-is-car-insurance-mandatory-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Car insurance is mandatory in most states, but why?
![Asian student sitting by the window of her apartment looking out over the city with a pen and notepad in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/09/28152228/ho4-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Find out if renters insurance may be the right choice for you.
![Downtown Tennessee city with busy traffic](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/02/03112231/tennessee-car-insurance-laws-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Explore Tennessee’s car insurance laws and the consequences of not meeting them.
![Graphic of a car](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/02/29151906/Insurance-What-is-Gap-Insurance-Reviewed-by-Experts.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Protect your investment: Learn how gap insurance covers your car loan shortfall.
![Dog sticking his head out the window while the car he is riding in is in traffic.](https://www.bankrate.com/2019/07/07130657/tips-first-time-buyers-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Buying car insurance for the first time? Follow these auto insurance tips.
![Man sat in a cafe using his computer](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/04/20210336/high-risk-auto-insurance-new-jersey-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Bankrate investigates cheap carriers for high-risk car insurance in New Jersey.
![Mechanic man explaining to his customer the defect of his car in a repair shop](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/11/12105557/car-why-is-car-insurance-mandatory-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Car insurance is mandatory in most states, but why?
![Consultant talking to family at home](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/07/02141232/car-are-auto-insurance-rates-negotiable-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Find out why car insurance is not negotiable and how you can save on your premium.
![Highways and roads going into Charlotte, NC.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/12/09155102/north-carolina-car-insurance-laws-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Discover essential North Carolina auto insurance laws and the coverage you need.
![Older black grandpa is changing the oil on his car and showing his grandson what he's doing.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/09/29174830/car-warranty-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Bankrate explains what a warranty on a car covers, and what it doesn’t.
![aerial view of houses in southern California](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/02/25160234/Understanding-Californias-FAIR-plan.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
The CA FAIR Plan is an insurance plan of last resort. Coverage is limited and pricey.
![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=1:1&width=356)
Bankrate explains homeowners insurance and how it works.
![Asian student sitting by the window of her apartment looking out over the city with a pen and notepad in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/09/28152228/ho4-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Find out if renters insurance may be the right choice for you.
![couple at home in their kitchen with their son](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/05/12134637/Cost-of-living-facts-and-statistics.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Although inflation is slowing, the cost of living remains high for many.
![Flooded home and yard](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/12/17092044/homeowners-insurance-flood-insurance-rate-changes-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 system is designed to produce fair flood insurance rates.
![A home on the coast that has been damaged by a hurricane. It is a sunny day.](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/06/15114423/Does-homeowners-insurance-cover-hurricane-damage.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Don’t wait for a hurricane to check your homeowners insurance coverage.
![flood in fort lauderdale florida](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/05/11154629/Hurricane-season-florida.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Here’s what you should know about the 2024 hurricane season in Florida.
![A house](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/03/23143658/ho-1-insurance.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
An HO-1 does not offer much coverage and is not available in most states.
![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.
![Older couple enjoying a walk together on a nice, Fall day](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/12/15120508/Insurance-Can-I-convert-my-term-life-insurance-to-whole-life-insurance.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Learn how to convert term life insurance to whole life for extended coverage.
![A husband and wife sit on the couch with their infant child in front of a laptop and try to figure out how to save.](https://www.bankrate.com/2011/06/18174137/life-insurance-or-529-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Is life insurance or a 529 plan a better way to pay for college? Bankrate explores.
![Asian father carries his daughter on his shoulders while they spend some time outside.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/10/18234525/whole-life-insurance-investment-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Explore whether whole life insurance is right for you.
![](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/05/15124705/What-is-Cash-Value-Life-Insurance_.png?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
What does cash value life insurance bring to the table? Find out.
![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=1:1&width=356)
Life insurance may seem confusing, but Bankrate’s experts are here to help.
![An old couple walking down the sidewalk with their arms around each other's shoulders.](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/11/06144439/Insurance-Return-of-premium-life-insurance.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Bankrate explains what to know about life insurance with a return of premium rider.
![Mixed race family sitting together with kids in the kitchen.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/12/15134514/life-insurance-benficiary-dies-featured.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Bankrate explores what happens when your beneficiary dies before you do.
The trusted provider of accurate rates and financial information