So you’ve thought through all the reasons that life insurance is a good idea for you, and now you are ready to get in and get busy gathering quotes and finding the best bang for your buck. But when it comes to life insurance, it’s not like walking onto a car lot and driving home with a shiny new set of wheels the very same day. Shopping for life insurance takes more research, time, and personal investment than many other purchases you may make in the course of your day.

It is important to remember that, just like most things, not every company is the same and not every broker will shop the same companies for your policy. Finding a good fit for life insurance requires that you start with a reputable broker or company to help safeguard your family and finances. And remember, the cheapest option may not always be the best.

When shopping for insurance specifically, the companies you will end up buying coverage from are rated on scales that typically range from A to C or D (but hopefully never that low in your case. The purpose of this rating system is to show consumers where these companies fall in the quality spectrum in aspects related to being financially sound and high on the customer service and claim fulfillment scale.

When shopping for a policy, it is also important to do some research beforehand and talk with trusted financial advisors about the best options for your specific scenario. Insurance companies will sometimes have suggestions as to the best policy for you, but they wouldn’t necessarily be privy to your financials, life, and other related concerns or goals. And at the end of the day, the insurance companies are selling a product- so do yourself a favor and know going in what types of policies and terms you are looking for.

If you have existing medical conditions, do some research beforehand and make sure it is not a disqualifying illness before going through a full application. Companies will vary on their level of risk they are willing to accept, so try to start with companies who have a track record for accepting illnesses like yours.

While you can start with a specific company if that is more comfortable for you or if you know which company you want from the start, you are also able to enlist the help of a broker service to help get you the deal you are looking for. Companies such as selectquote.com (among others) can help you search for a number of companies that may be a potential fit at the best price, without having to shop at any one specific company. This helps to provide the best rates mixed with the best value in a shorter amount of time.

When shopping around for a policy, you will also want to consider your actual needs. If you are looking at term insurance and your kids are 12 and older, you may not need to grab a long 30-year term policy. The point of life insurance is to care for those in your life that depends on you. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, after your kids are over college age there will likely be no reason to NEED the policy to cover their expenses. Building a financial legacy can be done with life insurance, but can be built in other ways as well. Also remember, if you are saving for retirement appropriately and diversifying (consult a professional to protect your future), you will most likely have enough in retirement to care for your spouse if you were to pass first in your later years. Policies get more expensive as you age and are meant more for the unexpected, so it may not be necessary for your 80’s like it was in your 30’s. Assess your profiles with a professional to determine where you are in life and which policy would suit your needs best.