About
Penny Gusner is a senior insurance writer and analyst at Forbes Advisor. For more than 20 years, she has been helping consumers learn how insurance laws, data, trends, and coverages affect them. Penny enjoys translating the complexities of insurance into easy-to-understand advice and tips to help consumers make the best choices for their needs. Her work has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including The Washington Post and Kiplingerโs.
Penny Gusner is a senior insurance writer and analyst at Forbes Advisor. For more than 20 years, she has been helping consumers learn how insurance laws, data, trends, and coverages affect them. Penny helped launch CarInsurance.com, one of the first online insurance marketplaces. She went on to be a senior writer, consumer analyst and spokesperson for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com.
Penny is an expert on insurance procedures, rates, policies and claims. She has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including The Washington Post and Kiplingerโs. Penny is a self-proclaimed data and research nerd. She likes sharing her knowledge and translating the complexities of insurance into easy-to-understand advice and tips to help consumers make smart choices.
Expertise
- Buying the right insurance for your needs
- Saving money on insurance
- Car insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
Achievements
- Over two decades of experience in writing about insurance topics to help consumers.
- Has extensive knowledge about auto, health, homeowners, renters insurance and more.
- An expert in explaining how insurance laws, data, trends and coverages affect consumers.
- Has been featured in major media outlets, such as The Washington Post and Kiplingerโs.
Education
Ambassador University, B.A.
-
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: Whatโs The Difference?
Medicare beneficiaries choose between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Which is the better option? The answer depends on multiple factors, including cost, provider network, potential additional benefits and what you want out of your health insurance coverage. Medicare Advantage is... -
How Much Does Medicare Advantage (Part C) Cost in 2025?
Medicare Advantage, also called Medicare Part C, has become a popular choice for seniors looking to buy coverage. About 32.8 million people (54% of Medicare beneficiaries) have a Medicare Advantage plan, according to 2025 data from KFF. Medicare Advantage costs... -
Best Military Car Insurance for Veterans and Families 2025
Erie, USAA and Nationwide stand out as the best car insurance for veterans and military families, based on an analysis of 14 major auto insurers. Erie and USAA both earned five out of five stars, while Nationwide followed closely with... -
Best Car Insurance For Teens And Young Drivers Of 2025
The cost of car insurance for a teen or young driver can be shocking. Auto insurance rates for these new drivers are notoriously high due to the sizable risk they pose to insurance companies. Are reasonable rates and coverage even... -
Best Motorcycle Insurance Companies Of 2025
Most states require insurance on motorcycles so you can pay for damages and injuries you accidentally cause to others. By adding extra coverage you can also get insurance to repair or replace your bike, gear and more after an accident.... -
Best Medicare Advantage Dental Plans Of 2025
Medicare Advantage plans may cover dental procedures, such as dental exams, but there can be huge differences when it comes to what else plans cover, how much theyโll cover and whether you can get out-of-network dental care. The best Medicare... -
Best Car Insurance For Seniors Of 2025
Senior citizens often face higher car insurance rates due to increased accident risks associated with aging. Which companies offer the most affordable car insurance for seniors? We carried out a detailed assessment of 14 auto insurance companies to help you... -
The Cheapest Car Insurance Of 2025
With prices continuing to climb, finding low-cost auto insurance can be challengingโbut it's not impossible. We evaluated 14 leading insurers to pinpoint which companies offer the best car insurance rates, along with reliable service. We analyzed over 310,000 car insurance... -
Best Car Insurance For College Students Of 2025
Our analysis shows the average car insurance cost for a college student on their own policy is $4,694 a year, based on the 14 auto insurers we evaluated. College students can look for student discounts to reduce rates, but the... -
7 Best Car Insurance Companies Of August 2025
Car insurance can be your lifeline after an accidentโor your biggest regret if itโs not the best policy for your needs. Which companies offer not only affordable rates but great coverage options and reliable service?We assessed 14 major car insurance... -
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Review
UnitedHealthcare offers a huge provider network of 1.7 million healthcare professionals across the U.S. and is the largest Medicare Advantage company, with almost 10 million enrollees. Nearly 30% of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have a UnitedHealthcare plan, according to KFF, a... -
IRMAA 2025 For Medicare: What You Need To Know
You may need to pay more for your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums if you're considered high income. Why are you penalized? Social Security charges income-related monthly adjustment amounts (IRMAAs), which can add hundreds of dollars to your... -
Humana Medicare Advantage Review
Humana Medicare Advantage plans offer benefits that go beyond a standard plan, including offering vision and dental coverage. The company also has excellent prescription coverage and high member satisfaction. -
Best Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Companies in 2025
Original Medicare doesnโt pick up all costs for care, but Medicare supplemental plans can help bridge that gap. There are 10 different Medigap policies, but whatโs the best Medigap company offering coverage? We analyzed Medigap companies, including data on where... -
Home Insurance Calculator: Estimate Your Costs (2025 Rates)
Forbes Advisorโs home insurance calculator is a fast and simple way to get an estimate of home insurance costs. Get started by answering a few quick questions to find the cheapest homeowners insurance that matches your needs. How much... -
Average Cost Of Car Insurance 2025
How Much Is Car Insurance? The national average cost for car insurance is $2,149 per year, according to our analysis. This rate is for full coverage car insurance, which includes optional coverage for theft and damage to your... -
What Happens If A Friend Or Someone Else Crashes Your Car?
When you loan your car to a friend, family member or someone else, youโre trusting them to bring the car back in the same condition it was in when they took it. But what happens if they get into an... -
What Does Medicare Cover?
Medicare covers inpatient and outpatient care and may offer additional coverage depending on the plan. But how do you navigate the assorted letters associated with Medicare and know what type of Medicare covers which services? Original Medicare (Parts A and... -
How Much Does Your Car Insurance Rate Go Up After A Speeding Ticket?
The average car insurance rate increase for drivers who get a speeding ticket is 26%, or nearly $507 more a year, according to our analysis. And a rate increase due to a speeding ticket can follow you around for a... -
Compare Car Insurance Quotes (2025 Rates)
Car insurance costs are risingโbut that doesnโt mean you have to overpay. Comparing car insurance quotes with multiple insurers is the best way to find affordable pricing. Itโs quick, easy and could save you hundreds of dollars a year, or... -
Best Cheap Low-Mileage Car Insurance Of 2025
It's worth taking a few minutes to shop around for a low-mileage policyโyou could end up saving a good chunk of change. We evaluated costs, collision claim processes, complaints and coverage choices of insurers nationwide to determine the best car... -
Best High-Risk Car Insurance Companies Of 2025
Drivers with accidents, traffic violations and multiple claims generally pay much more for car insurance than good drivers. Thatโs why our research can help you find a car insurance company that offers coverage at a decent cost for your driver... -
Best Car Insurance For Drivers With Bad Credit Of 2025
Auto insurance costs can be incredibly expensive for drivers with low credit scores. Thatโs why our research is critical to helping you find a company that offers decent rates and coverage for your driver profile. To identify which car insurance... -
Best Cruise Insurance Plans Of 2025
Emergencies that can arise before or during your cruise, such as canceling a trip or getting ill or injured, can mean losing money youโve invested in your trip or getting stuck paying extra costs. Travel insurance can be a smart... -
What Is Health Insurance? And How Does It Work?
Health insurance plays a vital role in keeping you healthy by covering preventive services and picking up part of the costs for other types of healthcare. Everyone can benefit from health insurance that helps offset medical costs, which can add... -
Best RV Insurance Companies Of 2025
Progressive is the best RV insurance company, followed by American Family and Foremost, based on our analysis. We evaluated RV insurers nationwide and scored them on complaints, coverage options, claims processes and discounts.An RV allows you to enjoy the open... -
Best Home And Auto Insurance Bundles Of 2025
State Farm is the best company for home and auto insurance bundles, receiving five out of five stars in our analysis. Erie and Nationwide are also top picks, each receiving 4.7 stars.To determine who offers the best home and auto... -
Cheapest Full Coverage Auto Insurance Of 2025
USAA and Nationwide offer the cheapest full coverage car insurance, based on our analysis. USAA costs an average of $1,475 per yearโbut USAA policies are only for those with a military connection. Nationwide is the cheapest for all other drivers,... -
Best Car Insurance For Pickup Trucks Of 2025
Our top picks for best pickup truck insurance 2025 are Erie, Nationwide and Travelers, all of which earned five stars in our assessment.Trucks may be big and somewhat intimidating vehicles on the roadways, but it doesnโt mean their insurance or...
About
Penny Gusner is a senior insurance writer and analyst at Forbes Advisor. For more than 20 years, she has been helping consumers learn how insurance laws, data, trends, and coverages affect them. Penny enjoys translating the complexities of insurance into easy-to-understand advice and tips to help consumers make the best choices for their needs. Her work has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including The Washington Post and Kiplingerโs.