The Pros and Cons of Shopping For Car Insurance Online

The Internet has simplified life by creating an avenue for daily activities to be online, from buying groceries to renting dvds. This goes the same for shopping for car insurance, but just because it’s simpler doesn’t mean that it’s better. If you’ve recently purchased a new car, one of the first things you need to take care of is the purchase of car insurance. There are pros and cons to buying insurance online that each potential buyer should consider.

PROS:
Ease of Comparison Shopping for Rates and Cost:
Customers used to have to call up an insurance company and spend time on the phone with a representatives discussing each type of insurance plan and its benefits. However, as representatives work on commission it could be difficult to tell whether you were hearing about the best deals or being sold the best plan for them. That is, at times, still a part of the process, but much of this has been bypassed by the freedom of online comparisons where it’s very clear what plan you’re choosing and how much it’s going to cost. The Internet has effectively made insurance more competitive with an increased cost transparency.
Easy Searches For Specialty Needs:
Search engines have made it easier to find any products or service you may need by using keywords. Car insurance has specialty or niche services, and you can use the Internet to find where they’re available, from boats to handicapped van insurance. Every service seems to be right at your fingertips.
Informed Consumer Reviews and Feedback:
The Internet is nothing if not one of the greatest sources of knowledge on products, services and customer satisfaction. This is a valuable resource for researching different insurance companies. By using the Internet as a tool, you can search through company products and policies, and read reviews from people on the quality of the services rendered. You no longer have to take a representative’s word for it. You have to be leery of competitors offering false comparisons and smearing the competition with inaccurate information.

CONS:
If You’re Wanting That Human Touch:
Some people find it confusing to use the Internet when they have questions or concerns and the website may not offer some explanations you need to make a final decision. While some companies offer an online chatting system 24/7 with a representative, this is still a relatively new tool. You don’t have the access as you would when speaking to a professional during this negotiation process who would attend to your personal needs.
Unrepresentative Quotes:
Many times, in order to seem more competitive, a company will provide information or quotes that live somewhere in the grey area. They’re completely accurate they are just representative of a wide group. You would have to know how your unique situation would change the quotes. A representative could take your information and give you a more accurate estimate.
Security Issues:
There’s always the worry that, when paying for your policy, that your information might get hacked. Identity theft is a prevalent issue and is becoming an increasing concern as more purchases are made through the Internet every year. It’s just the nature of the beast, and if your company’s files get hacked you could find yourself the victim of identity fraud. It’s important to point out that this isn’t just a risk with insurance companies but with any online purchase.
The Internet is a tool, and one must use caution when using it for shopping. There are just as many dishonest people on the internet as there are in the real world, so make sure you’re doing the leg work on both fronts to avoid being stuck with a policy that leaves you vulnerable and costing you way too much. There are limitations to the application and usage of the Internet, but that does not mean it can be a convenient resource for every consumer.