No one enjoys buying insurance. We all tend to grumble about the cost and what we get for our money. But the bottom line is we need to buy insurance and so here are some insurance buying tips to help make it a little easier.

Start by finding out what the policy doesn't cover. Too often people focus on what a policy covers but if you know what the exclusions are then there won't be any surprises if you should have a claim. You can read them on your policy but it's also a good idea to get your insurance agent to read and explain each to you. Then you can discuss whether you need to purchase specific coverage for certain exclusions.

Each year before you renew your insurance policies you should take a bit of time to review your needs. Things change from year to year and your current insurance needs to reflect those changes. It would be nice if your agent brought up the subject but few do so be prepared to do your own analysis.

Remember as with anything you usually get what you pay for so don't be fooled by exceptionally low prices. Insurance policies are not all alike and they can differ greatly so be sure that you are comparing like products. If one company is charging a lot less than the others selling similar policies you want to proceed with caution!

That said, shopping for insurance online can save you anywhere from 15% to 45% depending on the type of insurance and the company. There are several excellent insurance sites online so why not let your fingers do the walking and do plenty of comparisons.

If you decide to switch insurance providers before your insurance comes up for renewal you'll have to pay a penalty which is based on how much time is left on the existing policy. It's always best to change providers when a policy comes up for renewal.

You should also not switch insurance companies too often because you'll land up paying more. Establishing a long term relationship with one insurance company can earn you discounts and over time these discounts can be substantial. So do change insurance companies if there is a good reason but don't do it on the fly.

When it comes to filing claims avoid filing too many small claims. Each of these claims goes on your insurance record no matter what the size and even when they aren't your fault what you'll find is your premiums going up at renewal time. The more claims you have the greater a risk you are deemed and thus the more you are going to pay.

You can also do your part to reduce the risk of loss by making sure you have good dead bolts installed, proper locking systems on your windows, anti theft devices on your vehicles, home security systems, and anything else that reduces the risk of a claim. Many insurance companies will reward you with a discount for your efforts.

Don't leave out important details and don't lie! For example telling your insurer that you are a non smoker when you actually smoke even if only a few cigarettes will result in a denial of your claim should you file one so you'll really be the one to loose and not the insurance company. Same goes if you don't disclose your true driving record, home insurance claims you've had in the past, or any other relevant information requested by the insuring agent.

Once you get your policy you should read it over carefully to make sure that all the coverage is accurate. If something is unclear then call your agent for clarification.

Insurance is one of those things that annoys you through most of your life but by following these insurance buying tips you can make the process less of a hassle and less expensive.

Allen Jesson writes for several sites, making sense of internet marketing strategy and making money with a home based net marketing business.