You might think that term life insurance is just the kind of simple commodity, like a book or CD, that's ideally suited to online comparison shopping. But buying term on the Web isn't that easy.

Any number of sites claim to find the best deal, but not all will provide quotes from the lowest-cost insurers, whose policies generate little in commissions. When the Consumer Federation of America recently tested insurance sites, it found that only six of the 15 quotes were the lowest premium available. Other sites do little more than give your e-mail address to insurance agents. And no website can pinpoint the premium you'll pay if you're not in perfect health.

That said, you can get a useful sampling of prices and the names of low-cost providers. Here are our three favorite sites, plus two insurers worth checking out.

This site - the insurance-content provider for MSN Money and Quicken.com - is a good place to start. InsWeb has a wealth of tools to help you determine your insurance needs. Enter your age, whether or not you smoke and the coverage you want, and you'll get the lowest quotes from nearly 40 insurers, along with financial ratings from Standard & Poor's. If you're interested in a policy, an agent follows up by e-mail or phone.

Launched in 1984 as a quote provider to independent agents, Quotesmith is an online agent representing nearly 100 insurers (and receiving a commission on every sale). Not only do you see more quotes, but you also get more details about whether you qualify for the best rates. An initial screen (based on your age, tobacco use, height and weight) spits out the best prices. You can then answer more questions about your health and family medical history for the policy you're interested in. If you don't meet the underwriting criteria, your application stops there. Like InsWeb, Quotesmith has ample tools, including a section on how to prepare for your medical exam. Once you apply online, an agent follows up by e-mail or phone.

This no-frills site, run by a company that sells policy-comparison software to agents, doesn't sell insurance. What Term4sale does have is quotes from more than 150 insurers, including low-load carrier Ameritas. To buy a policy, click on the GET AGENT button for the names and numbers of independent agents in your area.

Quotes from these two low-cost insurers, which sell directly to consumers, don't show up at many insurance comparison sites. To find a quote at Ameritas, click on products and services and then the term calculator listed under low-load services. Before you can get an online quote from USAA - based on a questionnaire about your health and family history -- you must get a personal identification number from customer service (800-365-8722).