Insure.com

QuinStreet Inc. owns the website. According to 2009 sources, the corporation paid $16 million for Insure.com. Following the devastating first year of the Great Recession, the sale increased future domain values.

QuinStreet Inc. appears to work in a variety of industries, but the company describes itself as a pioneer in powering decentralized internet markets that allow customers to compare companies.

This $16 million deal was worth 10 times more than the prior purchase of Insure.com in 2001. Insure.com differentiated itself from other large domains such as insurance.com by providing more than just a platform for following new insurance deals. It also supplied articles, quotes, and news about this industry sector. Such valuable information contributed to its status as one of the most expensive domain names.

People acquainted with domain transactions mentioned additional pricey names in the same publications addressing the sale of Insure.com. Toys.com, which ToysRUs purchased for more than $5 million, is one of these costly websites. Meanwhile, Ad.com was sold for over a million dollars.

Price: $16 million