When it comes to shopping for auto insurance more and more customers are turning to the internet for help. According to a J.D. Power and Associate’s study upwards of 65% of auto insurance shoppers, visited the website of at least one insurer or quote aggregate. The numbers also rose for shoppers who relied solely on the internet for purchasing their auto insurance. That’s clearly a large audience that likes to shop for auto insurance online.
In 2009 to 2012 the percentage rose from 15% to 23%. There are a number of benefits to shopping online for auto insurance, such as saving time, money, and effort. Researching and even purchasing insurance online has become much easier, since many auto insurance companies and independent insurance agents work with auto insurance websites and independently to allow customers to shop for the best rates and purchase insurance with the click of a few buttons.
What You Will Need – How to Shop for Auto Insurance Online
When it comes to shopping for auto insurance online, it can be done in a relatively short period of time. However, in order for your research to go smoothly there are some items and information you will need to have on hand. When conducting online research for auto insurance be sure to have your car’s make, model, vehicle identification number or VIN, along with the zip code of where the car is parked most nights.
In addition to this basic vehicle information you will also want to have your license number and the license information of anyone else who is authorized to drive the vehicle, any safety or anti-theft features that may be installed on the vehicle, your driving record, and a copy of your latest credit score. All of this information is relevant because it gives insurance companies and agents the information they will need in order to calculate the best rate for you.
In addition to the above information there are also things you may want to consider that can help lower your insurance rates. If you drove a significant fewer number of miles this year than in the previous year you may be eligible for a lower rate. Also, taking a defensive driver course or online, insuring more than one vehicle under the same policy can also help to reduce your rates. It is also good to note that insurance companies tend to charge higher rates for customers with lower credit scores, since statistics show that these customers end up making more claims. These are just some ideas and methods to help you get organized and possibly reduce the amount you will be paying for auto insurance.
Where to Look
There are a number of ways in which you can look for insurance online. Most auto insurance companies allow prospective customers to view their rates online, and even purchase the insurance through the website. These insurance include Progressive, State Farm, Geico, Liberty Mutual and more. If you would rather comparison shop instead of going directly to a specific insurer’s website, you can check out sites such as InsuranceQuotes.com or CarInsurance.com.
When using InsuranceQuotes you put in your information and will be contacted a maximum of three insurance agents. These agents will either be independent agents who work with a number of different insurance companies, or they will be an agent from a specific company looking to sign you up for their coverage. No matter whether you speak with an independent insurance agent or with an agent who works for a specific insurance company, all will need your driving record, credit score, and other information mentioned above.
When it comes to shopping for auto insurance online, the process has become much more common among consumers. As more customers turn to the internet for information and service, more companies are responding in kind. The process is relatively straightforward and simple if you have all the necessary information.
TIFFANY PATTERSON
Tiffany Patterson has a BA in Political Science from Temple University and an MBA from La Salle University Business School with a concentration in Finance. She is an expert on topics including home buying, life insurance and credit cards. She believes how we treat our finances can have a lasting impact on our lives for years to come. Tiffany loves researching and writing on topics that will help readers lead better lives.
