Comparing insurance policies can be a tedious task. The usual response is to simply find the cheapest insurance quote and buy that policy. This is often not the best way to compare insurance. Although the monthly premium is a considerable factor to consider, there are numerous other things to consider before you take out an insurance policy. When it comes to short-term car and household insurance, you need to consider excesses payable when claiming as well as the reputation of the insurance company. This is important as some companies may have very cheap premiums, but have a very poor reputation for paying out claims. In some cases a single claim can take months to settle. With life insurance you evaluate what your family and or loved ones may require to continue their lifestyle once you have passed and purchase sufficient insurance to cover that. Comparing premiums versus benefit will usually give you a good idea of whether a particular life insurance policy is suitable. However, the financial stability of the life insurance company should also be considered as life insurance spans many years and you want the company to be around come claim time.