3 Reasons an Online Auto Insurance Purchase Is a Good Decision

There are many options for buying car insurance, and an online option is a good way to go. Using technology is quickly becoming one of the most favored ways to buy car insurance, so there are more and more ways to find and buy coverage online every day.

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Many people—especially those from older generations—may not want to use online methods to find and buy insurance. They may not be comfortable with the technology or they may be concerned about completing online transactions.

While there are some points of concern, most online transactions are as safe as using your credit card anywhere else. However, there are still the traditional methods for finding and purchasing car insurance, such as agents in an insurance office and over the phone with a representative.
Buying car insurance online is just one more way to perform a necessary task if you own a vehicle that needs coverage. Since online options have so many positives, it is a good option if you choose it.

Online Options

There are many different ways to buy car insurance online, and there are more options available all of the time.

For one option, all major car insurance companies have a website that will allow you to get a quote for coverage and pay online.

Even smaller, regional car insurance companies often have such websites.

These websites are packed with information and tools to aid you in your search for coverage. Generally, you can find explanations of all of the car insurance products offered, an overview of the requirements of your state, and information about saving money, such as discounts.

In order to buy auto insurance online, you will need an electronic payment method. You can use a credit card or debit card if you want, and most insurers offer other payment methods such as electronic checks or electronic bank transfers.

Insurance websites are created to be very user-friendly as well. You can also usually make adjustments to your coverage online, file a claim, and even chat live with a representative. Really, all that is needed is a computer and an Internet connection.

You can use online company websites in addition to speaking with a live representative or agent, either in person or over the phone. Car insurance providers have made great strides to ensure that your buying process will go as smoothly as possible.

Then there are insurance companies that are 100% online. You can get a quote and pay for your coverage online, but the company does not usually have a local office filled with agents that you can visit.

Another online option is quote comparison websites such as this one. You fill out one application for coverage, and the website sends it to various providers. Those insurance providers then send you back quotes for coverage with that company. In order to buy, you simply need to click a link that will take you to the company’s website to complete the process.

#1: Online Purchases Are Easy to Make

Firstly, buying car insurance online is so easy to do. You can complete an application form for a quote and buy your coverage in mere minutes; if you know exactly what coverage you want, the process can be completed in under an hour.

You can find coverage and pay for it anywhere you have online access to a computer. You can do this any time of day or night, so it is convenient to your schedule. You don’t have to be confined to the hours of operation of an office or a call center.

Buying online also allows you to avoid the burden of the intensive sales pitch that can sometimes accompany speaking with an agent online or over the phone.

While you always have the ability to say “no, thank you” in such situations, many people are uncomfortable with the pressure. Those who want to skip the uncomfortable sales pitch can buy coverage online in peace. Some people truly prefer electronic methods of conducting business for such reasons.

The online buying process allows you the opportunity to peruse your choices at your leisure. In this way, you can make a decision and a purchase that is right for you.

#2: It Allows You to Have Instant Coverage

Another perk that accompanies the buying process online is that you have instant coverage. While searching for car insurance should be a systematic process that includes research and comparison, too many people look to buy coverage within a few days of needing it.

Obviously, there are some instances where you need instant coverage through urgent situations, but online coverage is immediate whether you need it through an emergency or procrastination. If you have just bought a car, either from a dealer or an individual, online coverage will allow you to have coverage immediately.

Once you have paid your premium or down payment and received a message that your transaction is complete, your vehicle is covered. Many states require that you carry proof of auto insurance in your vehicle at all times by law; you can be fined if you are pulled over and don’t have your insurance ID card on you.

While your insurer will mail you a coverage packet that outlines your policy, the declarations page and your proof of coverage, you can also usually print out your insurance cards so that you can have proof of coverage in your vehicle without delay.

#3: It’s Part of the Comparison Process

One other bonus of buying coverage online is that it is a natural part of the comparison process. Finding car insurance coverage should include comparing companies and doing research, and buying coverage is the last step.

Thankfully, the Internet has made comparison shopping and researching companies an easy process, as everything is right at your fingertips. More people will be convinced to put a little bit of time and effort into finding an insurer; too few drivers put in the required effort.

There are a lot of advantages to researching rates and providers. The biggest plus is that shopping around and comparing quotes allows you to save a lot of money on your coverage. All car insurance experts recommend that you compare rate quotes, as it is the most effective method for saving money. In fact, it is the Number One way recommended by the Insurance Information Institute for saving money.

Also, doing a bit of research on the car insurance providers that you are considering will also help you to find an insurance company that is reliable and stable, and will be there for you if you have to file a claim. Unfortunately, there are insurers out there that really drop the ball during the claims process. It is much better to discover a provider’s bad reputation before you buy a policy than during the claims process.

Some Precautions

There are a few items to look out for when you are buying your car insurance online. First, you should be wary of any company or supposed agent who contacts you with a quote for which you did not apply. The same is true for car insurance companies that boast really ridiculously low rates, such as $29- or $19-a-month coverage.

Car insurance fraud can be committed by scam artists posing as real insurance companies or agents, when in fact they are only interested in taking your money, according to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud.

The Internet, sadly, gives many more opportunities for this type of fraud. Check out any provider or agent that raises a red flag with your state’s department of insurance. Another option is to search the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Information Source.

Red flags include email addresses that do not match that of the purported insurance company, the use of incorrect grammar and spelling, and your inability to verify the legitimacy of the company or agent. If you have any misgivings, then either go with a different provider or contact the company yourself directly.

Scam artists will promise rates that are just too good to be true, and they will also have a sales pitch that is full of pressure to buy right now. Report any suspected fraud to your state’s bureau of insurance.

In this regard, major providers do have the upper hand, as you can visit their site directly or call their 800 numbers yourself. Also, the payment process online is as secure as handing your credit card to a waiter or making some other purchase online or over the phone.

Generally, the most important thing you need to be concerned with is that your computer’s network is secure. The Federal Trade Commission offers OnGuardOnline, which offers tips for staying safe and secure online.

Smart Online Buying Tips

Finding and buying coverage online is a simple process. Follow these tips to make it as smooth as can be. First, know how much coverage you want beforehand. Then, get multiple quotes for coverage from different car insurance providers. This allows you to get all of your quotes for the same amount of coverage so you can compare them side-by-side.

Get quotes from comparison websites as well as from individual provider’s websites in which you are interested. If you want to use other search methods, such as through an agent, then feel free to do so.

Then, research the companies that you are interested in to ensure that they are stand-up companies. Look at financial ratings with organizations such as Standard and Poor’s and A.M. Best. Research an insurer’s reputation with ratings providers such as J.D. Power and Associates and Consumer Reports.

Once you have a provider that has high ratings and an affordable premium for you, it is time to buy. You can be confident that your online payment will be going to a reliable and upstanding insurance provider.

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