Dental Insurance Articles
When To Request Lower Dental Insurance Premium Rates
2010-08-13
Dental insurance is far from the most expensive form of insurance out there, but even so, there's no sense in overpaying. Many dental insurance policy holders don't actively look for lower rates, even though in many cases, all they'd need to do is ask their insurance providers to cut their premiums. Of course, it helps to know how dental insurance companies think and when they're most likely to say yes to a request for lower premiums. Before you call your insurance agent to try to get a better deal, you'll need to find some of their competitors' quotes and do what you can to lower your own risks (from the dental insurance company's point of view).
Finding alternative quotes for your dental insurance coverage is easy, thanks to a number of websites that allow dental insurance buyers to review quotes from several insurance companies simultaneously. You'll want to look for a few of the lowest quotes that you can find, and you may have to fill out a few forms to get "official" quotes from the insurance companies. If you see drastically lower dental insurance quotes than what you've been paying for, it's time to ask your insurance provider for a lower quote. By collecting and printing off as many low quotes as possible, you'll improve your negotiating power with your insurance agent.
You may also ask for a discounted rate if you've taken any steps to improve your dental health. If you've stopped smoking for more than six months, for instance, you should expect lower dental insurance rates, but your insurance provider isn't going to simply throw money away--you'll have to call them and ask for your discount. The same is true for policy holders who have a good history of dental hygiene and care; you'll need to actually bring up your good teeth to your insurance agent in order to get a lower rate. Remember, your dental insurance company usually won't offer you a discount for no reason, but if you're taking care of your teeth, you deserve a lower rate.
When you talk to your insurance agent to ask for lower rates, be polite and respectful. Don't approach the conversation as a confrontation. Explain why you deserve a lower rate, and be ready to fax or email competitor price quotes to your current dental insurance provider. If you present yourself well, you'll often get a better rate, but if your insurance provider declines your request, be ready to move on. Switching insurance companies can be a pain, but when it's easy to find dental insurance quotes online, there's no reason to overpay for dental insurance.