Things to Consider When Buying Auto Insurance Online

I’m just going to come out and say it, I think buying auto insurance online is a totally acceptable way to purchase your car insurance. I’ve said as much in previous posts.

I guess I’d look foolish to disagree since we are the creators of ComparisonQuote.com and offer the ability to quote home and auto insurance online. Of course, I like the option to buy auto insurance online.

The internet has made shopping for auto insurance … heck, the internet has made any shopping more convenient. So, if you’re a real do-it-yourself type, then why not at least give online auto insurance a try?

As with anything you buy online, however, you need to avoid the temptation to click the buy button too soon. Buying insurance shouldn’t be a race to get done. It’s important to think through what you’re going to purchase before clicking the buy button.

Auto insurance, or any financial service really, is not like buying other consumer goods online. Financial services, especially insurance, require that you understand the contract and what is covered before you agree to buy. Purchasing the wrong insurance can have severe consequences.

Heck, many of you won’t buy a pair of jeans online for fear they won’t fit right, so why would you purchase something as important as your insurance coverage without all the information first?

Mama always told me to look before I leap

So, we’re agreed, we won’t get click-happy when we’re considering buying auto insurance online. But there are other things we need to consider, too. First, it’s a good idea to do some research on the coverage that makes the most sense for you and your situation.

A good place to start is with your current auto insurance declarations page, which will tell you the current limits of liability, the coverages you presently purchase, and the deductibles, as well as the premium. This should provide you with a baseline for comparison, which will help you keep the quotes accurate as you compare auto insurance rates.

Don’t break up with your old company too soon

This may seem obvious, but don’t let your coverage lapse before you’ve purchased new auto insurance. I’ll give you that piece of advice for free. 🙂

Too frequently, consumers allow their present auto insurance to lapse while they are shopping for a replacement policy. This can create a gap in insurance protection, which can prove costly if you have an accident.

Outside of California, a lapse in coverage can also cause your next policy to increase your premiums, too.

So just don’t allow there to be any lapses in coverage, it’s just good policy.

Another good piece of advice: don’t cancel your current auto insurance policy until you have confirmation that the new policy has been issued. It’s pretty easy to cancel a policy, so don’t be too hasty; make sure the new coverage is in place before you cancel.

Don’t be bashful, push all the buttons, try all the options

Shop ahead of your current policy expiration. This will give you some time to experiment with coverage combinations and see if optional coverages are right for you. Shopping online is nice because you can set your own pace, and you don’t have to feel pressure to buy … but you can still try all the options.

So take full advantage of the quote tools and explore all the different coverage options, limits, and combinations, and note how they change the premiums. You may be surprised how much you can really get if you just “tinker” a little bit.

Here is another free tip: investigate all the questions, and complete all that are relevant to you; many may lead to discounts. For instance, when quoting with ComparisonQuote.com you’ll be asked about group memberships. This is because being a member of certain groups may qualify for an Affinity Group Discount … and those can be pretty significant savings.

Make sure to compare apples to apples

When you’re shopping online, you are likely going to see many different premiums, but don’t be fooled into thinking you’re saving money just because the premiums are lower. Make sure you are inputting the same coverages you currently have, or that you selected from another insurance company’s online quote tool.

Pick up the phone and call if you have a question

When you’re selecting a new auto insurance provider, there is actually a lot to consider. Many times, the most important things are not the premium you pay, but the coverage that’s being offered.

Purchasing insurance is actually an important decision. If you’re confused are uncertain, just pick up the phone and call the insurance company or an insurance agent. You can get most questions answered by a licensed professional who has spent the time to read and understand the policy language.

Conclusion

Shopping online continues to rise in popularity, and that’s true for auto insurance, too. However, as surprising as it may seem coming from an insurance agency blog, it’s still easier to get a quote from an independent insurance agent.

Independent insurance agents can get you several quotes with a single input, making the shopping extremely easy. An insurance agent can answer your questions and provide you with the understanding you need to make the right decision.

If you like to do-it-yourself, by all means, get an online auto insurance quote, but if you want to save time, outsource the busy work of quotes to an insurance agent … you’ll get so much more out of the experience.

Image Source: William Iven