Insurance Basics

Clear overviews of common insurance types and how coverage works.

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A Complete Look at How Health Insurance Premiums, Subsidies, and Costs Connect
Health Insurance

A Complete Look at How Health Insurance Premiums, Subsidies, and Costs Connect

Understand the full picture of health insurance costs — premiums, subsidies, cost-sharing, and how income affects what you pay on the marketplace.

By Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Feb 17, 2025 · 7 min read

Latest In Insurance Basics

Before You Switch Health Plans, Work Through This Checklist
Health Insurance

Before You Switch Health Plans, Work Through This Checklist

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Jan 8, 2023 · 6 min read
Choosing a Health Plan During Open Enrollment: A Practical Walkthrough
Health Insurance

Choosing a Health Plan During Open Enrollment: A Practical Walkthrough

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Oct 11, 2024 · 7 min read
Costly Assumptions People Make When Using Their Health Insurance
Health Insurance

Costly Assumptions People Make When Using Their Health Insurance

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Feb 28, 2024 · 5 min read
Deductible vs. Out-of-Pocket Maximum: Two Numbers That Shape Your Health Costs
Health Insurance

Deductible vs. Out-of-Pocket Maximum: Two Numbers That Shape Your Health Costs

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Aug 11, 2024 · 6 min read
Everything Covered Under the Affordable Care Act's Essential Health Benefits
Health Insurance

Everything Covered Under the Affordable Care Act's Essential Health Benefits

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Oct 12, 2024 · 5 min read
HMO, PPO, EPO, and HDHP: What Sets Each Plan Type Apart
Health Insurance

HMO, PPO, EPO, and HDHP: What Sets Each Plan Type Apart

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Sep 20, 2024 · 7 min read
Health Insurance Decoded: What Every Term on Your Plan Actually Means
Health Insurance

Health Insurance Decoded: What Every Term on Your Plan Actually Means

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Jul 21, 2024 · 6 min read
How the American Health Insurance System Is Structured
Health Insurance

How the American Health Insurance System Is Structured

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Aug 24, 2025 · 8 min read
In-Network vs. Out-of-Network: Why the Distinction Costs People Money
Health Insurance

In-Network vs. Out-of-Network: Why the Distinction Costs People Money

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Sep 2, 2025 · 6 min read
Open Enrollment Is Not Your Only Chance to Get Covered
Health Insurance

Open Enrollment Is Not Your Only Chance to Get Covered

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Aug 20, 2023 · 8 min read
Reading an Explanation of Benefits Without Getting Lost
Health Insurance

Reading an Explanation of Benefits Without Getting Lost

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Apr 18, 2024 · 7 min read
Starting Your First Health Insurance Plan Without the Confusion
Health Insurance

Starting Your First Health Insurance Plan Without the Confusion

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Mar 17, 2023 · 9 min read
The Tradeoffs of High-Deductible Health Plans
Health Insurance

The Tradeoffs of High-Deductible Health Plans

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Apr 8, 2026 · 6 min read
Things People Get Wrong About Health Insurance — And What's Actually True
Health Insurance

Things People Get Wrong About Health Insurance — And What's Actually True

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Dec 7, 2024 · 6 min read
What a Health Savings Account Actually Does — and Who It's Designed For
Health Insurance

What a Health Savings Account Actually Does — and Who It's Designed For

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Dec 9, 2024 · 7 min read
Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost in Home and Auto Claims
Auto & Home Insurance

Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost in Home and Auto Claims

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Jun 19, 2026 · 6 min read
Auto Insurance Myths That Cost Drivers Real Money
Auto & Home Insurance

Auto Insurance Myths That Cost Drivers Real Money

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Jan 27, 2023 · 6 min read
Bundling Auto and Home Insurance: What It Changes and What It Doesn't
Auto & Home Insurance

Bundling Auto and Home Insurance: What It Changes and What It Doesn't

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Feb 9, 2024 · 6 min read
Coverage Gaps Homeowners Routinely Discover Too Late
Auto & Home Insurance

Coverage Gaps Homeowners Routinely Discover Too Late

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Aug 20, 2024 · 6 min read
Filing a Home Insurance Claim Without Undermining It
Auto & Home Insurance

Filing a Home Insurance Claim Without Undermining It

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Aug 21, 2023 · 6 min read
Home Insurance Declarations Page: A Field-by-Field Breakdown
Auto & Home Insurance

Home Insurance Declarations Page: A Field-by-Field Breakdown

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Feb 9, 2024 · 6 min read
How Deductibles Work Across Auto and Home Policies
Auto & Home Insurance

How Deductibles Work Across Auto and Home Policies

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Dec 26, 2025 · 8 min read
How Insurers Determine Your Auto and Home Premiums
Auto & Home Insurance

How Insurers Determine Your Auto and Home Premiums

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Aug 17, 2023 · 8 min read
Key Insurance Terms Every Policyholder Should Recognize
Auto & Home Insurance

Key Insurance Terms Every Policyholder Should Recognize

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Jan 7, 2024 · 6 min read
Liability vs. Full Coverage Auto Insurance
Auto & Home Insurance

Liability vs. Full Coverage Auto Insurance

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Feb 13, 2026 · 6 min read
Named Perils vs. Open Perils Home Insurance Coverage
Auto & Home Insurance

Named Perils vs. Open Perils Home Insurance Coverage

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Sep 16, 2023 · 6 min read
Reviewing Your Insurance Coverage After a Major Life Change
Auto & Home Insurance

Reviewing Your Insurance Coverage After a Major Life Change

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Apr 20, 2024 · 6 min read
The Parts of a Homeowners Policy Most People Never Read
Auto & Home Insurance

The Parts of a Homeowners Policy Most People Never Read

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Sep 16, 2024 · 8 min read
What Your Auto Insurance Policy Actually Covers (And What It Doesn't)
Auto & Home Insurance

What Your Auto Insurance Policy Actually Covers (And What It Doesn't)

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Apr 17, 2023 · 9 min read
When an Umbrella Policy Extends Your Auto and Home Coverage
Auto & Home Insurance

When an Umbrella Policy Extends Your Auto and Home Coverage

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Mar 18, 2025 · 7 min read
Assessing Your Life Insurance Needs: A Practical Framework
Life & Other Insurance

Assessing Your Life Insurance Needs: A Practical Framework

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Jan 28, 2024 · 7 min read
Disability Insurance: The Coverage Most Workers Don't Know They're Missing
Life & Other Insurance

Disability Insurance: The Coverage Most Workers Don't Know They're Missing

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Mar 1, 2025 · 7 min read
Group Life Insurance Through an Employer: What It Covers and What It Doesn't
Life & Other Insurance

Group Life Insurance Through an Employer: What It Covers and What It Doesn't

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Mar 7, 2025 · 6 min read
How Life Insurance Premiums Are Calculated
Life & Other Insurance

How Life Insurance Premiums Are Calculated

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Jun 19, 2024 · 7 min read
How to Read a Life Insurance Policy Without Getting Lost
Life & Other Insurance

How to Read a Life Insurance Policy Without Getting Lost

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · May 30, 2026 · 7 min read
Life Insurance 101: What It Actually Covers and Why It Exists
Life & Other Insurance

Life Insurance 101: What It Actually Covers and Why It Exists

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Nov 22, 2024 · 7 min read
Life Insurance Riders: Optional Add-Ons and What They Actually Do
Life & Other Insurance

Life Insurance Riders: Optional Add-Ons and What They Actually Do

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Mar 31, 2024 · 6 min read
Long-Term Care Insurance: What It Covers, Who It's For, and What to Weigh
Life & Other Insurance

Long-Term Care Insurance: What It Covers, Who It's For, and What to Weigh

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Mar 19, 2026 · 8 min read
Naming a Life Insurance Beneficiary: What Gets Complicated
Life & Other Insurance

Naming a Life Insurance Beneficiary: What Gets Complicated

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Sep 8, 2025 · 5 min read
Permanent Life Insurance: Universal, Variable, and Whole Policies Explained
Life & Other Insurance

Permanent Life Insurance: Universal, Variable, and Whole Policies Explained

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Jun 3, 2024 · 6 min read
Pet Insurance vs. a Dedicated Savings Fund: Weighing the Trade-offs
Life & Other Insurance

Pet Insurance vs. a Dedicated Savings Fund: Weighing the Trade-offs

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Oct 23, 2024 · 7 min read
Specialty Insurance Types Every American Consumer Should Know About
Life & Other Insurance

Specialty Insurance Types Every American Consumer Should Know About

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Mar 16, 2024 · 7 min read
Term vs. Whole Life Insurance: Breaking Down the Core Differences
Life & Other Insurance

Term vs. Whole Life Insurance: Breaking Down the Core Differences

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Apr 18, 2025 · 6 min read
The Real Reason People Skip Life Insurance — and What They're Missing
Life & Other Insurance

The Real Reason People Skip Life Insurance — and What They're Missing

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · Apr 18, 2023 · 6 min read
What Is Pet Insurance and When Does It Make Financial Sense?
Life & Other Insurance

What Is Pet Insurance and When Does It Make Financial Sense?

Insurance Basics Editorial Team · May 5, 2024 · 8 min read

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