Guides
The world of insurance and personal finance can often be difficult to get a handle on. With our diverse set of guides, you can get in-depth information on a range of topics to help you put your money to its best use.
We offer insight about sports cars, cheap tires, condo coverage and more. We can help you make an informed decision about your home, health, car, and money.
More Guides
HMO Plan Basics: About Health Maintenance Organizations
HMOs (health maintenance organizations) are cheap health insurance plans with more restrictions. HMO means the plan usually only works with... Read More
CPI Insurance: How Does It Work? What Does It Cover?
Collateral protection insurance is bought by your lender to pay for damage to your car. You can avoid these expensive policies by buying... Read More
How to Get a Good Driver Discount on Car Insurance
Most major insurance companies offer a discount for driving safely. If you've avoided at-fault accidents and moving violations, you may be... Read More
How to Get Home Insurance for First-Time Buyers
If you're buying your first home, you might not know what kind of home insurance coverage you need. ValuePenguin's experts can help you get... Read More
What is Major Medical Insurance?
Major medical insurance offers coverage for serious illnesses, injuries and preventive care. By law, all major medical plans must cover 10... Read More
How Does a Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction Work?
Health insurance premiums are deductible for the self-employed. Certain factors dictate whether you qualify, how premium costs are treated... Read More
Which Gender Pays More for Car Insurance?
In most states, your gender will impact your car insurance rates — though only slightly. Men pay about 1% more than women for car... Read More
Can I Use a Home Equity Loan to Buy Another House?
If you already own your primary residence and are seeking to buy an investment property, unlocking the home equity in your current house... Read More
What To Know About Low Income Health Insurance
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can help those with low incomes get health insurance. You might also get... Read More
Obamacare / ACA Subsidy Calculator
ValuePenguin's ACA subsidy calculator estimates your health insurance cost. The average cost of a plan with subsidies is $74 per... Read More
How Do You Get a Land Loan? Rates and Procedure, Explained
Getting a land loan requires meeting several lender requirements you wouldn't need for a regular mortgage. Read about the credit... Read More
Deductible vs. Out-of-Pocket Max: Health Insurance Basics
The deductible is the amount you pay for medical care before your plan's full benefits begin. You won't pay any medical costs after... Read More
Managing Editor
Ben Breiner is the Managing Editor of ValuePenguin/LendingTree's insurance vertical. He oversees a team of writers who focus on guiding readers through the rigors of home and auto coverage. He still loves that moment when the words fall together and he can translate an intimidating topic so a reader can make the best choice.
Ben got involved in insurance in 2021 when he joined ValuePenguin. He moved up from writer to editor and watched the team grow to expand the ways it helps consumers. Before that, he spent a decade as a sportswriter for newspapers in the Southeast and Midwest.
Ben had to put off buying his first car because of high insurance rates, so he's keenly aware how the wrong policy can get in the way of your goals. He should've shopped around and looked to the experts.
Insurance tip
Always keep an eye out for insurance you can load up on at a low price. A lot more liability coverage won't break the bank and protects your hard-earned assets.
Expertise
- Car insurance
- Home insurance
- Renters insurance
Education
- BA, Economics and Journalism, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
