Q. I am trying to find a deal on health insurance and most of the sites I visit are run by agents that just want to call and talk me into a plan I don’t want or need. How can I find health insurance without having to go through an agent?

A. You are correct that many of the sites on the web are either company sites manned by company agents, or independent sites sponsored by as many as half a dozen agents who will “fight” for your business.

You will also find a few sites that are essentially DIY where you enter your data and pick a plan then apply. They also offer limited support through licensed agents who are usually inexperienced. There is a common misconception that these DIY sites are more objective.

That is not the case.

Most of the DIY sites only offer a few carriers and do not include all the options. In Georgia the top 8 carriers offer almost 1900 plans and variations for individual health insurance. The most recognized DIY site only includes 5 carriers and fewer than 160 plans and options.

To truly find the best “deal” you need an agent who knows the market and can direct you to the right choices based on your needs, budget and health history.

Even if you find a plan you like, the next hurdle is underwriting. About 80% of the time the final offer you receive from a carrier is not what you were expecting.

A good agent can reverse those figures and tell you with 90 - 95% accuracy what your final rates will be.