The for-profit www.insure.com, an online quote and shopping service, offers consumer tips on many types of insurance, including health care for pets. For "human" health insurance information, particularly if you don't have employer coverage, check www.healthinsurance.com, www.ehealthinsurance.com and www.healthinsurane.com. Among sites devoted to life insurance, I like www.accuquote.com.
"Why wait to save until you are against the wall?" asks Byron Udell, AccuQuote.com's founder and CEO. He estimates 80 percent of people between the ages of 40 and 50 with term life insurance could save money by switching to a newer policy reflecting lower current rates (before canceling an existing policy, always make sure you qualify for a new one).
What if you have a good policy you feel you can no longer afford? Udell suggests switching from annual to quarterly or monthly premiums (even if doing so costs a bit more in the end), shortening the term of the policy (say, from 30 to 20 years) or as a last resort, reducing the death benefit, which is better than canceling coverage completely. If you choose this latter option, reapply for additional coverage immediately once your financial situation improves, Udell recommends.