Insurance information for US households
Know what your insurance will actually pay before you file a claim.
Check your numbers, read the fine print and know what to ask your agent or insurer. Policyselect covers life, health, auto and home coverage in the United States. We do not sell insurance or issue quotes.
- State rules differ
- We flag where US states vary
- No quotes, no leads
- Nothing is sold or passed on
- Private by design
- Tools run in your browser
Term and whole life at a glance
| Duration | Fixed period / Lifetime |
| Cash value | None / Included |
| Best fit | Depends on your need |
Featured policy guides
The questions people search for most: how much coverage to carry, what a health plan really costs, and what happens after a crash.
See all guidesExplore insurance by topic
Plan comparisons, policy breakdowns and claims walkthroughs for the four lines most US households carry.
Coming up this fall
Medicare open enrollment
Runs October 15 to December 7 each year. Check your plan's annual notice of changes before then, since premiums, drug lists and networks can change.
ACA marketplace enrollment
Most states using HealthCare.gov open November 1 and run through January 15. Some states run their own exchange with different dates.
Dates can change. Confirm on Medicare.gov, HealthCare.gov or your state exchange.
Quick Coverage Estimator
Enter a few details to see an illustrative range with the assumptions shown. It is general information, not a quote and not personalized insurance advice.
Your illustration appears here
Choose a coverage type, review the inputs, then select the button. Results include the assumptions used.
Before you buy or renew a policy
Run through this list at open enrollment, at a move, or when a renewal notice arrives.
1. Write down what you are protecting
Income, a home, a vehicle, health costs, belongings. Be specific about who or what depends on each one.
2. Collect the coverage you already have
Employer benefits, existing policies and any state-required coverage. Note limits, deductibles and end dates.
3. Test the numbers
Use the tools to see how amounts, periods and deductibles interact. Treat results as a range, not an answer.
4. Compare actual policy documents
Read exclusions, limits and claim procedures. Ask a licensed professional about anything unclear.
Language you will see on every renewal notice and plan summary
- Premium
- The amount paid to keep a policy in force, billed monthly, annually or on another schedule.
- Deductible
- The amount you pay toward a covered loss before the policy begins to pay, where the policy uses one.
- Coinsurance and copay
- Your share of a covered cost, either a percentage or a fixed amount, depending on the plan.
- Out-of-pocket maximum
- A cap on what you pay in a plan year for covered services in some health plans. What counts toward it varies.
- Exclusion
- A cause of loss or situation the policy states it does not cover.
- Limit
- The most a policy will pay for a covered loss or category, as written in the policy.
- Beneficiary
- The person or entity named to receive a life insurance benefit.
- Endorsement or rider
- An add-on that changes the base policy, such as adding or limiting a type of coverage.
Insurance information disclaimer
Policyselect provides general insurance information only. It does not sell insurance, issue quotes, or give personalized insurance, legal, tax or financial advice. Premiums, eligibility, coverage, exclusions, deductibles, limits and policy terms vary by insurer, state and policy. Always read your actual policy documents and speak with a licensed professional before making decisions.