There are several web sites that allow you to begin the term insurance purchase process on line. The great thing about it is that you have the world at your finger tips (mouse) and you are in control. You get to pick and choose which insurance companies and/or agents that you want to do business with.

Armed with you basic underwriting information, such as age, gender, limit and term you can do a Google search for on-line insurance companies and find a host of them. Submit your basic information and you have begun the process. The insurance companies might give you a preliminary quote immediately, but expect to hear from the agent with the fully underwritten quote.

One of the benefits of buying term insurance online is that many of the sites have tutorials on life insurance and glossaries of terms. You get a chance to do some homework before the agent contacts you. You can be informed and make educated decisions.

You can also check up on the insurance company to see if it's financially sound. AM Best is an agency that tracks the financial solvency of insurance companies. A few clicks on their site will provide ample information to allow you to bypass insurance companies that are not financially sound.

You might also want to check with the insurance department of your state. Check to see if there are any complaints against the insurance companies you are considering. Lets face it, you want to work with a financially sound and reputable company.

One word of advice, do not lie on your on-line application in an attempt to get a lower rate. Your application is used to come up with a premium and any insurance company worth its weight will confirm your online application with you (in the event you inadvertently clicked non smoker when you really meant to click smoker).

Be an informed online term insurance purchaser.