Woman with Glasses

Buying Dental Insurance Online? Follow These Dos and Don'ts


If you're one of the millions of people who are buying dental insurance online, you need a plan of attack. The offers, deals, and sales pitches you'll find online can be totally overwhelming. By sticking to these dos and don'ts, you'll wind up making the process a whole lot easier on yourself!

- Do make sure you know what you're looking for

Before you start looking for dental insurance online, you need to have an idea of what services are an absolute must-have and what coverage you can do without. That way, you won't wind up paying for things you don't need or short-changing yourself on coverage that you really need.

- Don't sign anything before you read the fine print

What's that saying your mom always had? If it looks too good to be true, it probably is? The same applies to buying dental insurance online. Some personal dental insurance policies come with affordable rates and truly affordable coverage. However, some policies look great at first glance - then come with a ton of exclusions that make it not worth your time. Before you enter into any kind of binding agreement, you have to read everything - even the teeny tiny font. The last thing you want is a surprise later!

- Do some comparison shopping

There is such a demand for personal dental insurance that companies all over the country are offering great deals. Even after you think you've found the perfect policy, look a little more. You may find something totally unexpected! Even if nothing better comes along, the extra research is well worth your time.

- Don't forget about eye insurance

Have you taken a look at your health insurance plan lately? Chances are it doesn't include vision insurance! If you need both dental and eye insurance, you're in luck - because lots of companies offer discounts if you buy the two together. That way, you can get the coverage you need and save some money all at the same time. Does it get any better than that?

- Don't be afraid to think outside the box

Personal dental insurance doesn't always have to come in the traditional form, where you pay monthly premiums. Insurance companies have come up with new options - most notably, a discount dental plan. Unlike traditional insurance, you get a discount card for all of your dental services, then pay the remaining balance out of your own pocket. The upside? Discount plans only charge an annual fee, and it's much cheaper than traditional insurance.