“We Shop. You Save.” This is the simple, powerful message at the heart of SelectQuote’s business. As one of the largest insurance comparison services, their entire model is built on the promise of finding you a more affordable policy by comparing rates from many different companies. For anyone looking to lower their insurance bills, this is an attractive offer. But when it comes to something as personal as your health or life insurance, the lowest price isn’t the only thing that matters. This article will take a closer look at the Select Quote experience. We’ll examine if the savings are real, what the service is like, and what you should know before picking up the phone.
Key Takeaways
- Understand Their Role as a Marketplace: SelectQuote isn’t an insurance company; they are a large agency that connects you with quotes from many different carriers. This model is designed to simplify comparison shopping for various insurance types, from Medicare to life insurance.
- Be Ready for a Sales-Oriented Approach: Reviews from both customers and employees suggest a sales-driven environment. Go into any conversation with a clear list of your needs and your budget to ensure you find a policy that genuinely works for you.
- You Are the Final Checkpoint: The convenience of seeing multiple quotes at once doesn’t replace your own review. It’s essential to personally verify policy details, confirm your doctors are in-network, and make sure the coverage fully aligns with your financial and healthcare needs before signing up.
What is SelectQuote?
If you’ve started looking for insurance, you’ve likely come across the name SelectQuote. It’s a well-established insurance comparison service that helps people find policies for life, auto, home, and Medicare insurance. Think of them as a large marketplace. Instead of offering their own insurance plans, they connect you with a variety of policies from many different insurance companies. Their main goal is to simplify the shopping experience by putting multiple options in front of you at once.
SelectQuote has been around for a while and is one of the largest players in this space. They started with a strong focus on term life insurance but have since expanded to cover other major insurance needs. For anyone feeling overwhelmed by calling individual insurance providers for quotes, a service like this can seem very appealing. They do the legwork of gathering prices and plan details, so you can compare them side-by-side. This model is designed to save you time and help you see a broader picture of what’s available on the market.
What Services Does SelectQuote Offer?
SelectQuote acts as a one-stop shop for several types of insurance. They partner with dozens of different carriers to offer you a range of choices. Through their platform, you can find insurance coverage for life, auto, home, and Medicare. By representing more than 50 different insurance companies, they provide a wide selection of plans and price points.
This variety is central to their business. Whether you’re looking for a term life policy to protect your family, trying to find a better rate on your car insurance, or exploring your Medicare options, SelectQuote aims to have a solution. Their agents are trained to help you sort through these different products to find a policy that fits your specific situation and budget.
How Does the SelectQuote Process Work?
The process with SelectQuote is fairly straightforward. It starts when you reach out for a quote, which you can typically do online or over the phone. An agent will then ask you a series of questions about your needs, health, and budget. Based on your answers, they will compare coverage and prices from the multiple insurance companies they partner with.
Instead of you having to research and contact each provider yourself, the SelectQuote agent presents you with several options. They will walk you through the details of each plan, explaining the differences in cost and benefits. The idea is to make the process of finding the right coverage easier by handling the comparison shopping on your behalf, allowing you to make a decision from a curated list of policies.
Explore SelectQuote’s Insurance Products
SelectQuote operates as an insurance sales agency, which is an important point to understand from the start. They don’t actually underwrite or issue the policies themselves. Instead, their service is designed to connect you with a range of different insurance companies so you can compare quotes all in one place. Think of them as a marketplace or a broker. Their main goal is to simplify the shopping experience by presenting you with multiple options without you having to contact each carrier one by one. This can save you a lot of time and effort, especially if you’re not sure where to begin your search for coverage.
Their business is focused on three main types of insurance: life, Medicare, and home and auto. For each of these categories, they partner with well-known national insurers to provide you with quotes. This comparison model can be helpful if you want to see a broad overview of what’s available in the market. It allows you to look at different prices and policy features side-by-side, which is a key part of making a confident decision. The process involves you providing your information once, and then their system or an agent presents you with the available plans from their partners. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect to find in each of their product areas.
Life Insurance
When it comes to life insurance, SelectQuote aims to make the process of getting quotes straightforward. They provide access to both term and whole life policies, which are the two most common types of coverage. Term life covers you for a set number of years, while whole life is a form of permanent insurance that lasts your entire life. You can explore options with coverage amounts as high as $5 million, which offers enough flexibility to cover everything from mortgage payments to leaving a financial legacy for your family. Their platform lets you compare these different policies from various carriers to find a rate and plan that aligns with your financial situation.
Medicare Plans
For anyone getting ready for Medicare or looking to change their current plan, SelectQuote provides a comparison service. They work with up to 21 different insurance companies, which gives you a wide selection of plans to consider. On their site, you can compare Medicare plans, including Medicare Supplement (also known as Medigap), Medicare Advantage, and Part D prescription drug plans. The goal of their service is to lay out your options from various carriers so you can see how they differ in cost and coverage. An agent can then provide a free quote based on your specific health needs and where you live, helping you sort through the details of each plan.
Home and Auto Insurance
SelectQuote also extends its comparison model to home and auto insurance. They connect you with policies from a number of well-regarded providers, including names you probably recognize like Progressive, Safeco, and Liberty Mutual. This saves you from having to visit multiple websites to get quotes. A major selling point they emphasize is the discount you can get from bundling policies. By purchasing your home and auto coverage from the same insurer, you can often secure a lower premium. SelectQuote states that customers who bundle their home and auto insurance through their service save an average of $693 per year, which is a substantial amount.
What to Expect When Using SelectQuote
When you decide to work with an insurance comparison platform like SelectQuote, it helps to know what the process looks like from start to finish. Unlike going directly to a single insurance company, using an agency means you’ll be interacting with a licensed agent whose job is to connect you with one of their partner carriers. This can be a helpful way to see multiple options at once, but it’s a different experience than working with an independent broker who isn’t tied to a specific set of companies.
The process typically begins with you providing your information, either online or over the phone. From there, a SelectQuote agent takes over. They will use your details to find plans from their network of insurance companies. This is the core of their service: they do the shopping for you. After they’ve gathered some options, they’ll present you with quotes and help you understand the differences between the plans. Throughout this journey, you’ll be communicating with a SelectQuote agent rather than the insurance carrier itself, until you’ve officially enrolled. Understanding this structure—that you’re working with an intermediary—can help you manage your expectations and get the most out of the service.
How to Get a Quote
SelectQuote makes the first step of getting a quote fairly straightforward. You can start the process either by calling them directly or by filling out a form on their website to receive estimates by phone or email. Their site is designed to be clean and simple, so you shouldn’t have much trouble finding where to begin. Once you provide your basic information, a licensed agent will reach out to you to discuss your needs in more detail and gather the necessary information to provide accurate quotes for the type of insurance you’re looking for, whether it’s Medicare, life, or home and auto.
How Their Comparison Process Works
SelectQuote’s entire model is built on the idea of comparison shopping, summed up by their tagline, “We Shop. You Save.” They partner with a large network of well-known insurance carriers—more than 50, according to their website. When you request a quote, their agents take your information and compare rates and coverage options from these different companies. Their goal is to find you an affordable plan by identifying which of their partners can offer the best price for your specific situation. This saves you the time and effort of contacting each insurance company individually to get a quote.
Getting Help from Customer Support
Once you’re in the SelectQuote system, you’ll work with one of their licensed agents. These representatives are there to walk you through the different plans, explain the details, and help you find competitive pricing. A unique part of their service is the offer of yearly check-ups. This means an agent can review your plan with you annually to make sure it still fits your needs and budget. This ongoing support can be especially helpful as your circumstances change or as new insurance plans become available during Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment period, helping you feel confident in your choice long after you’ve signed up.
SelectQuote vs. The Competition
When you start looking for insurance, you’ll find there are many different ways to buy a policy. You can go directly to an insurance company, work with an independent agent, or use a large comparison platform like SelectQuote. SelectQuote operates as a massive insurance agency, partnering with a long list of well-known carriers to offer you a wide selection of plans. Their entire model is built on the idea that comparing multiple options in one place helps you find the right fit.
This approach is different from working with a smaller, independent agency that might offer a more hands-on, personalized relationship. With a platform like SelectQuote, technology and a large sales team drive the experience. They aim to simplify the shopping process by putting dozens of policies at your fingertips. Understanding this distinction is key to deciding if their model aligns with what you’re looking for in an insurance partner. For some, the sheer volume of choice is a major advantage, while others might prefer a more focused, one-on-one approach.
Comparing Prices
SelectQuote’s marketing often highlights its ability to find competitive prices for its customers. They claim to help people find affordable policies, even those with existing health conditions, which is an important consideration for anyone shopping for Medicare or life insurance. A major part of their cost-saving strategy involves bundling policies. For example, they report that customers who purchase insurance bundles for home and auto save over $500 on average. While these savings apply to property insurance, the underlying principle is that their access to multiple carriers allows them to find cost-effective combinations for various insurance needs.
Service Quality and Support
When it comes to customer experience, reviews suggest a bit of a mixed bag. SelectQuote is a well-established service, but some users find their online quote process to be slower than expected. However, many agree that their licensed agents are a strong point. Reports often mention that the company’s representatives are helpful and provide clear, competitive pricing information over the phone. If you prefer talking through your options with a person rather than doing everything online, you might find their support to be a good fit. This human touch can be especially valuable when you’re trying to understand the fine print of a complex policy.
Variety of Insurance Plans
One of SelectQuote’s biggest draws is its wide range of products. They are not just a Medicare agency; they are a marketplace for many types of coverage. The company specializes in connecting you with a variety of insurance plans, including life, auto, home, and health policies. This makes them a potential one-stop shop if you need to cover multiple areas of your life. For instance, they offer both term and whole life insurance policies with coverage up to $5 million. This broad selection is ideal for someone who wants to manage all their policies through a single agency, but it may feel less focused if you’re only looking for help with a specific need, like Medicare.
What Are Customers and Employees Saying?
When you’re trying to understand a company, it helps to look at what people are saying on both sides of the transaction. Customer reviews tell one story, but employee feedback can offer a peek behind the curtain, revealing a company’s culture and priorities. Looking at both can give you a more complete picture before you decide to pick up the phone.
The Good: Positive Reviews
SelectQuote’s primary appeal is convenience and the potential for significant savings. The company promotes itself as America’s #1 Term Life Insurance sales agency, emphasizing that customers could cut their insurance costs by more than half. For those looking at Medicare, SelectQuote is licensed in all 50 states and notes that over two million families have used its services. The main benefit here is the one-stop-shop approach. Instead of contacting multiple insurance carriers on your own, you can speak with a single agent who compares different plans for you. For anyone feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of Medicare options, this streamlined process can feel like a welcome relief.
The Bad: Common Complaints
While the company promotes savings, some reports paint a different picture of the sales process. A recurring theme in online discussions, particularly from former employees, involves high-pressure sales tactics. Some have shared overwhelmingly negative experiences, describing a push to sell policies that may not be the best fit for the customer. These reports mention agents using aggressive strategies aimed at vulnerable individuals, including seniors. Some of the tactics allegedly include making misleading promises, like offering gift cards for food, to persuade people to change their insurance plans or sign up for services they don’t need.
A Look at Employee Reviews
Reading employee reviews can often explain the “why” behind customer complaints. Many former SelectQuote employees describe a difficult and stressful work environment. On forums like Reddit, they mention a toxic work environment characterized by intense micromanagement, manipulation, and constant changes to their schedules with little notice. Others report that communication from management was unreliable, with broken promises about hours and job security. When agents are under immense pressure to meet quotas in a high-stress setting, their focus can shift from the customer’s best interest to simply making a sale. This kind of internal pressure can directly impact the quality and ethics of the service you receive.
How to Save Money with SelectQuote
One of the main reasons people turn to a comparison platform like SelectQuote is the hope of finding a better deal. The good news is that there are several ways to lower your insurance costs, and using a service that lays out multiple options can make these savings easier to spot. It often comes down to three key areas: finding specific discounts, bundling multiple policies together, and understanding how your personal details, like your health, play a role in the price you pay. Let’s walk through how you can approach each of these with SelectQuote to make sure you’re not leaving any money on the table.
Find Available Discounts
Insurance carriers offer a variety of discounts, but they aren’t always advertised front and center. This is where an agent can be particularly helpful. SelectQuote’s process is designed to uncover these opportunities by comparing rates from their network of insurance companies. For instance, with auto insurance, you might qualify for savings based on your driving record, your vehicle’s safety features, or even your profession.
While you won’t find “discounts” on Medicare plans in the same way, an agent can help you find cost-saving advantages. This could mean identifying a Medicare Advantage plan with a Part B premium reduction or finding a Part D plan that offers the lowest copays for your specific prescriptions. The key is to have someone who can compare plans and highlight the one that is truly the most cost-effective for your situation.
Bundle Your Policies to Save
If you need more than one type of insurance, bundling is one of the most reliable ways to save money. Insurance companies reward customers who buy multiple policies, and SelectQuote highlights these multi-policy discounts. The most common bundle is home and auto insurance. In fact, SelectQuote reports that customers who bundle home and auto policies save an average of $693 per year.
This is a straightforward strategy: by consolidating your insurance with one carrier through a platform like SelectQuote, you can often get a significant discount on both premiums. If you’re shopping for home or auto insurance in addition to a Medicare or life insurance policy, always ask the agent to run quotes for bundling your coverage.
How Your Health Affects Your Rate
Your health status is a major factor in what you’ll pay for certain types of insurance, particularly life insurance. When you request a life insurance quote from SelectQuote, you’ll be asked a series of health questions. Honesty here is critical for getting an accurate quote. Generally, the better your health, the lower your premium will be because the insurer sees you as a lower risk.
For Medicare, the rules are a bit different. When you first become eligible for Medicare, you have a Medigap Open Enrollment Period. During this protected window, companies cannot use medical underwriting to charge you more or deny coverage based on your health. However, if you apply for a Medigap plan outside of this period, your health history can and likely will affect your rates and eligibility.
The Pros and Cons of SelectQuote
When you’re looking at any insurance agency, it’s smart to weigh the good with the not-so-good. Every company has its strengths and weaknesses, and understanding them helps you decide if they’re the right fit for your specific needs. Let’s walk through the advantages and potential drawbacks of working with SelectQuote.
Advantages of Using SelectQuote
One of the main draws of SelectQuote is the sheer variety of coverage they offer. They provide a wide range of insurance options, including life, auto, home, and Medicare plans. This can be a big plus if you prefer the simplicity of handling multiple insurance needs through a single agency instead of juggling different contacts and companies. Beyond convenience, SelectQuote heavily promotes potential savings. They claim that customers who bundle home and auto insurance save an average of $693. If you’re looking for term life insurance or want to see if bundling policies can lower your bills, their platform is set up to provide those comparisons quickly.
Drawbacks to Consider
It’s also important to look at the other side of the coin. While SelectQuote has high ratings on some platforms like TrustPilot, they have very low ratings on others, like the Better Business Bureau. This mix of customer reviews suggests that experiences can vary quite a bit. Another key point to understand is how they make money. SelectQuote’s agents earn commissions from the insurance companies whose plans they sell. This is a common industry practice, but it’s good to be aware that this structure could influence the recommendations you receive. It’s always wise to work with someone who prioritizes your needs above all else.
A Look at Their Sales Process
SelectQuote’s process is designed to be efficient. They offer a streamlined way to compare insurance policies online, connecting you with quotes from different providers without you having to visit multiple websites. You can get quick estimates for coverage, which is helpful when you’re just starting your research. However, their model still places the responsibility on you to do your homework. Getting a quote is just the first step. It’s up to you to carefully review the policy details and research the providers to make sure the plan truly fits your life and your budget.
Find Alternatives to SelectQuote
If you’ve decided SelectQuote isn’t the right fit, or you simply want to explore all your options, you’re in the right place. Understanding the different ways to shop for insurance can help you find the coverage and support that works best for you. While large online marketplaces have their place, they aren’t the only path to securing a plan. Here are a few common alternatives to consider as you continue your search.
The Big 65
Working with an independent broker like The Big 65 offers a fundamentally different experience. Instead of a large call center, you get personalized, one-on-one guidance from a dedicated agent who specializes in Medicare. Our focus is on building a long-term relationship with you. We take the time to understand your unique health needs and budget to help you compare Medicare Supplement, Advantage, and Part D plans. Because we are not tied to any single insurance company, our advice is unbiased. Our goal is to help you feel confident and clear about your Medicare choices, not just to make a quick sale.
Other Comparison Platforms
If you like the idea of comparing multiple quotes at once, there are other online platforms similar to SelectQuote. These insurance marketplaces also connect you with various carriers for different types of coverage, including life, home, and auto insurance. The process is generally the same: you submit your information through an online form and then receive quotes or calls from agents representing the insurance companies. This can be an efficient way to see a broad range of price points. Just be prepared for follow-up calls and emails as different agents reach out to you with their offers.
Buying Directly from an Insurer
You can always bypass a middleman and go straight to the source by contacting an insurance company directly. If you already have a specific provider in mind, like Aetna or Humana, you can visit their website or call them to get a quote. The main advantage here is that you are dealing directly with the company that will be servicing your policy. The downside is that you lose the benefit of easy comparison. To ensure you’re getting a competitive rate, you’ll need to repeat the quoting process with each insurer you’re considering, which can be time-consuming.
How to Make an Informed Decision
Choosing an insurance plan is a major financial decision, and it’s completely normal to feel a little overwhelmed by the options. When you use a comparison platform like SelectQuote, it can feel like the hard work is done for you. While these services are great for seeing multiple quotes at once, the final choice is still yours. It’s important to go into the process with a clear head and a good understanding of what you’re looking for. Taking a moment to think through your specific needs and what you expect from an insurance partner will help you feel confident in your final decision. Let’s walk through the key things to consider to figure out if SelectQuote is the right fit for you.
What to Consider Before You Choose
Before you even get a quote, take some time to map out your non-negotiables. What kind of coverage do you absolutely need? Are there specific doctors or hospitals you want to keep in your network? While price is a huge factor, the cheapest plan isn’t always the best one if it doesn’t cover what you need. It’s also wise to look at the full picture, including customer feedback. For instance, SelectQuote has very different ratings on different platforms. While many customers report positive experiences, it’s important to be aware that some reviews of SelectQuote point to aggressive sales tactics. This just means you’ll want to be prepared to stand firm on your needs and not feel rushed.
Is SelectQuote the Right Choice for You?
So, how do you know if SelectQuote is your best bet? It really comes down to what you value in the process. If you want a quick, straightforward way to compare quotes from financially sound companies, it can be a great tool. The insurance carriers they partner with generally have high financial strength ratings, which means they are stable and likely to pay out claims. However, the convenience comes with a catch: you have to do your own homework. You are the final checkpoint for reviewing policy details and making sure the plan truly aligns with your healthcare and financial needs. If you’re comfortable with that final review, SelectQuote can work well. If you prefer more personalized, one-on-one guidance, you might explore other options.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is SelectQuote an actual insurance company? That’s a great question, and it’s a key point to understand. SelectQuote is not an insurance company; they are a very large insurance agency. This means they don’t create or manage the insurance policies themselves. Instead, think of them as a marketplace that partners with dozens of different insurance carriers. Their service is designed to show you options from all these different companies in one place.
How does SelectQuote make money if their service is free for me to use? Like other insurance agencies, SelectQuote earns a commission from the insurance company when they help a customer sign up for a policy. This is a standard practice in the industry and doesn’t add any extra cost to your premium. However, it’s helpful to know that their agents are compensated based on the sales they make, which is an important factor to keep in mind as you consider their recommendations.
What is the main difference between using SelectQuote and working with an independent broker? The biggest difference comes down to scale and approach. SelectQuote is a massive, national agency that deals in high volume, connecting you with agents in a call-center environment. An independent broker typically runs a smaller practice and offers a more personal, one-on-one relationship. While both can help you compare plans, an independent broker often focuses on building a long-term connection and providing tailored guidance without the pressure of a large sales organization.
I’ve seen some negative reviews about high-pressure sales. Should I be concerned? It’s smart to be aware of all feedback, both good and bad. Some customers and former employees have reported feeling pressured during the sales process. The best way to approach any conversation is to be prepared. Know what you’re looking for, have your budget in mind, and don’t be afraid to say you need time to think. A good agent will respect your need to make a careful decision.
Will I get a better price for a plan through SelectQuote than if I went directly to the insurance company? Not necessarily. For regulated products like Medicare plans, the price for a specific plan is set by the insurance carrier and is the same no matter who sells it to you. The potential savings from using a service like SelectQuote come from the comparison itself. By showing you prices from many different companies at once, they can help you identify which carrier offers the most affordable plan for your needs, saving you the time of gathering all those quotes yourself.