Is it safe to buy a health insurance policy over the internet using a credit card?
I was thinking of buying an insurance plan online… but I wanted to use my credit card. Is it safe?
Verify that the agent you buy from is legitimate first, search for the plan they are offering on online scam boards, I would suggest buying from an agent in your state with a nearby address so you do have a person you can get to help you, there is no cost to that. Plans cost the same using an agent, the company pays the agent a commission for handling the application and taking care of you.
On the downside, most companies do not allow monthly payments using credit card. They will most always make you use bank draft for ongoing payments, and accept credit card for the first month only.
Humana allows it but will charge you 10 dollars a month in extra fees for processing, they’re the only one I can think of off hand that even allows it here. I am in Tennessee so you might have companies that do allow it where you are.
Finding a trustworthy agent that offers you reputable plans is a better first step than just trying to buy online, although sometimes that is like trying to find a dull needle in a stack of needles. Painful and time consuming.
Also, be careful where you submit online for quotes, if you go to say netquote.com, or ehealthinsurance.com and enter your phone number, prepare to be called nonstop for about 2 months by 20 or so different agents who they sold your information to. You will be MUCH better served by going to local.yahoo.com, searching for health insurance in YOUR town, and looking through people there.