Why should you care?

Because the difference in the premium rates charged by the most expensive and the cheapest insurers can be several hundred dollars!

Does this mean you should always buy the cheapest policy on offer?

There is a reason why some policies cost more than others (this is not just about the profit margin). As with everything in life, you get what you pay for. Many of the policy are cheap because the scope of the coverage is limited and the companies stay profitable by paying you less than you expect on the claims. Paying more gives you better coverage with fewer exclusion clauses and a more honest approach to the claims you make.

So some insurance companies are not angels?

Every state has an insurance department or commissioner and one of their jobs is to field complaints about the insurers licensed to sell policies in their states. Most of these complaints are about the way in which claims are handled. Companies delay, then point out small print and offer you less. The best state insurance departments publish lists showing which insurers have the worst records for claims handling. Check this out before you buy. That way, this site will give you affordable insurance at affordable prices with the more reliable companies.