How to spot and avoid insurance scams

A life insurance policy is a smart choice both financially and for peace of mind — knowing that your family will be taken care of in the event of your death can lift a huge burden off your shoulders. Unfortunately, you or your family can be the target of scammers who want to sell you a “too good to be true plan.” When you’re searching for a plan that best fits your needs, you may turn to the internet in order to research and find out about what plans are currently available. This can be a great idea, especially if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for. But it’s also wise to have a general idea of what it is that you’re looking for in advance, so you can narrow down your search and be more careful when you’re sifting through pages and pages of insurance companies.

Find out what you need in a life insurance policy

One reason you may become vulnerable to a potential scam is that you don’t know exactly what you need. You’ll end up gathering way more information than necessary and the majority of the time, it won’t be accurate or even necessary for your particular situation. The best and easiest way to combat this is to contact a licensed insurance agent. They will help you find the life insurance policy that fits your needs, and there will be less chance of them offering you something that isn’t wanted nor needed. 

Never share private information 

Depending on the insurance website you’re visiting, you may have the opportunity to get an insurance quote. This is advised against because you never know who will have access to that information. If you’re asked to give private information (social security number, date of birth, address, etc.) in order to receive a life insurance quote, stay clear of that website. If you would like to get an accurate quote, it’s best to speak with an insurance agent in person that you can trust and is working with a reputable company. 

Find reputable insurance companies

There are thousands of companies out there that claim to sell life insurance policies. When you’re choosing a plan, be sure to pick an insurer that has a track record of positive reviews and holds an AAA or A+++ industry rating. Doing a simple web search of the company’s name on a website such as Better Business Bureau will help you to determine if it is a legitimate company. Not every company is listed on this website so if you search for a company that isn’t listed, this doesn’t automatically mean it isn’t legit. With that said, the BBB (Better Business Bureau) is often a good place to start. 

Don’t rush the decision process 

Finding the right life insurance policy for you or your family takes time and patience. The perfect plan will not magically fall in your lap. If a website or agent is pressuring you into a plan, it’s best to take a step back and review the offer with a trusted friend, family member, or lawyer. There is no such thing as a one-time offer or sale in the insurance industry. Rates are subject to change, but not so drastically that you’ll miss out on the “opportunity of a lifetime”. 

If it sounds too good, it probably is

Sadly, thousands of people fall victim to wild insurance scams each year. Many of these individuals have stated that the deal was “too good to pass up” so they reacted quickly and didn’t do their due diligence to verify that the company or deal was legitimate. To remain safe, be sure to follow the tips listed above and — we can’t stress this enough — contact a trusted insurance agent for assistance. An agent will always take the time to help you understand the plans available to you and how they can be beneficial to you or your family. 

If you feel overwhelmed with the thousands of insurance plans being sold daily, contact Senior Insurance Marketing in Lincoln, Nebraska. We are trained professionals with over 120 years of combined industry experience — we’ll walk you through each and every option as well as, answer all the questions you have along the way. Life insurance plans aren’t a one-size-fits-all, so we will be sure to find the plan that is right for you and your family! 

Contact us today and let’s find you the perfect plan! 402-434-7761