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CAN SOMEONE REALLY Save With Online Auto Insurance Quotes?
The promise is simple-a few minutes could save you a bundle on insurance, but is there any truth to the promise? Can obtaining a quote online really save you money, can it decrease the hassle of shopping for insurance, and if so, what's the catch? I decided it was time to learn.

Among the first companies to market insurance online was Esurance. Launched in 1999, they offered automobile insurance to a somewhat timid Internet audience. Back then people had plenty of concerns about purchase transactions and the risk of credit theft online. Surprisingly, Esurance became popular. They were acquired just a year later, and based on the website Metrics, reached Internet sales of more than $350 million by 2005.

What helped them overcome the buyer concerns was they helped customers get past the pain of calling or going to see insurance agents, something some people would put on par with going to see a dentist. Soon traditional insurance companies jumped in the fray, and the insurance business hasn't been exactly the same since. Today the amount of online quotes generated numbers in the tens of millions annually.

THE BENEFITS

What advantage does online quoting give you? I've identified three key advantages to online quoting. The foremost is convenience. Rather than calling an insurance company or visiting an agent's office, you may get a quote from the convenience of your own home... or office... or with a smartphone, the convenience of being just about anyplace. You can get a quote anytime of day or night. For most, this is truly a great benefit.

The second benefit may be the ability of receiving quotes from multiple companies. When you call traditional insurance companies like Allstate and Nationwide, you will discover out what your insurance cost will be from them only. When you call a multiple quote service, such as Progressive, QuoteHero, or THE OVERALL, they actually quote multiple companies. Progressive quotes "a handful of companies", whereas companies like QuoteHero access more than 25 insurance carriers.

The 3rd benefit is that it is fast. Geico says, "Fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent." My experience is that quarter-hour is a long time. I tested several companies, and found I received quotes as fast as just a couple of minutes.

THE DRAWBACKS

There are some downsides to online quoting. One that I find little discussion of is the quality of the quote you obtain. Why is that certain thing you give up is having an insurance agent working with you.

This can lead to errors, mostly by you. In the event that you ask for the wrong coverage, you will get a quote for the incorrect coverage. Also, you should be sure the quotes you obtain are "apples to apples" and quoting identical coverage. Changes or additions can impact pricing.

This drawback isn't as bad as you might think, as most of the online services now offer toll free assistance. For those who have questions about coverage, state minimums, or things that can affect your rates, you can reach a live person in the event that you desire by making a phone call.

The next drawback, and huge one for me, is that some online services will in actuality sell your name and contact information to local insurance agents. This results in a bombardment of phones calls hoping to make you "sign the dotted line" with them right away.

In doing research because of this article, I had the experience that I begun to receive phone calls just minutes when i received my quotes. Five different agent and companies contacted me during the next couple of days. One local agent still calls me and emails me months later!

Upon close inspection, research showed that certain site I found had the next in small print: "By clicking "Get Quotes!" I provide my signature, expressly authorizing telemarketing calls from around eight insurance firms or their agents or partner companies".

The website Consumerist.com features an article supposedly compiled by a former insurance telemarketer. She tells the website they paid $8 per hot lead. Additional info volunteered that their phone efforts were a lot more effective than email or mail, that is a big reason you obtain bombarded with calls immediately, while the lead is hot. While I cannot vouch for the web site or the author's authenticity, it sounds in-line with what I experienced.

TIPS FOR SAVING

First off, not absolutely all companies sell you name. One I came across, QuoteHero.com, expressly states they don't sell your name. In fact, for some policies you don't even have to supply any personal information! That is clearly a big deal for me personally, drastically reducing the harassment factor.

Next, in case you have it, get a copy of your existing policy, and make sure you know want sort of coverage you need. For anyone who is driving an older car, you could be looking for the very minimum coverage a state requires. However, if you are older, have plenty of assets or a pricey car, be sure you are covered appropriately.

And finally, ensure that you get numerous quotes. In a recent article, U.S. News & World Report recommended to readers to shop their auto insurance annually, and that online was a sensible way to do that "in minutes". Edmunds.com concurs, stating, "by doing some comparison shopping, you can save hundreds of dollars a year." In research done recently, tests round the country indicated the common person's savings to be just over 30% when factoring the difference between your high and low quotes!

Can you save with online quotes? Yes, I did so. But compare check here , and become careful to learn the fine print to be sure the insurance company isn't only going to sell your name to the best bidder!
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