The times are "a changing". Or maybe I should say, they "have" changed. No longer do we need to visit the conventional "bricks and mortar" insurance company.

Yes, they are still there, but to find out all about their policies and coverage, all we need do is sit at the computer and let our fingers do the walking.

The Internet saves us time and effort and brings almost any information we want right into our homes. Online health insurance companies display their policies, coverages and costs on their web pages to speed up the insurance buying process for consumers.

Online insurance quotes mean almost instant results for interested shoppers. In just a few short hours, you visit many online insurance companies, gather many insurance quotes, compare the results and investigate the companies and then apply for the policy of your choice.

What once might have taken several days of phoning, writing and visiting, can now be completed almost instantly!

I strongly advise visiting as many online insurance companies as you can. Become familiar with their terms by looking for their "definitions of terms". Understand the differences between basic coverage and comprehensive coverage.

Entering the keywords "health insurance" will produce both company pages and consumer pages that will help you to understand the insurance market. A little advice can be a big help if you are new to buying insurance. And you know what, most people are new to buying insurance online, so don't feel awkward about emailing the insurance companies with as many questions as you can.

The reputation and business history of any insurance company you work with can make a big difference. This is especially true if you ever need to make a claim. Finding information out about the company is as important as getting their quote.

Remember, buying health and medical insurance is a long-term investment for most people and comparison shopping is always a good idea.

Online insurance quotes will still depend on a system of "rating your health" to determine what your premiums will be for coverage. As in any health insurance policy, the risk that you present will be a factor in determining the cost of your policy. If you have a family history of heart problems, a personal history of illness or a high-risk job, you will probably face a higher premium than people without these issues. And of course, the reason for the higher premiums is that the company assumes a higher risk in these cases.

If you don't have the time to compare all of the features and benefits of insurance policies, some insurance websites will do the comparison for you. You can simply fill out a form on an insurance website, and they will give you many options based on premium size and coverage.

This can be beneficial, but remember, at the end of the day, it is up to you to determine what is best for you and your family. You should take care to ensure you have coverage in all the areas you feel you may be at risk in and that you are paying a fair price for it.

About the Author:

Bob Buckham is webmaster of http://www.canadalifeco.com and has been contributing insurance and mortgage articles to the finance industry for years.