Looking for affordable health insurance? Here's how to compare health insurance to get the best rate with a top-rated company.

Why Compare Rates

Because underwriting guidelines are different for each health insurance company, rates can vary dramatically from one company to the next. Also, policies can differ from company to company, so you want to compare policies to make sure you're getting the coverage you need.

Spending a few minutes comparing rates and policies from different companies can save you hundreds of dollars a year, and save you from getting a policy that doesn't cover your illnesses or injuries.

Where to Compare Rates

In the good ol' days if you wanted to compare health insurance rates you had to call or visit local insurance agencies and have them run a quote for you. Not only was this time consuming, but you'd get writer's cramp filling out form after form at each agency.

Now, thanks to the Internet, you can get quotes in a matter of minutes in the comfort of your own home. There are insurance comparison websites where you can get quotes from a number of different companies. The advantages of using these sites are:

1. You only have to fill out one simple online questionnaire to get quotes

2. You get your quotes within minutes of completing your questionnaire

3. There are no agents who'll try to talk you into buying their company's policy

4. The better comparison sites only deal with A-rated companies

5. The best comparison sites have experts on call so you can get answers to your questions and get advice on how to lower your insurance costs

6. There's no charge for these services