Dare to Compare: Advice on Shopping for Auto Insurance

Posted on January 21st, 2012 | by admin in Auto Reviews

It’s a no-brainer that with any car, new or used, you want the cheapest auto insurance possible, or at least the cheapest auto insurance that is also from a reliable company that will still be there when you actually need to make a claim. If you already have an insurance company that you like, insuring a new car with them is probably fine, but if you don’t like your current insurer, or don’t have an insurance company, it’s important to know what to look for. We recommend the following four points of comparison: cost, customer service, connectivity, and consumer opinion.

Cost:
Obviously, the cost of auto insurance is a major factor in choosing a car insurance company, but not everyone qualifies for every advertised deal. When shopping for insurance, get quotes from three or four different insurers, and compare them line-by-line. Be aware that every company offers different discount packages, so you should always ask questions before committing to a quoted premium.

Customer Service:
We no longer live in an eight-to-five world, but many businesses still keep hours as if we did. Check out the customer service options of any auto insurer before you buy a policy. Do they have 24/7 claims handling? How about billing and general customer support? Do they provide a list of phone numbers, or expect you to handle everything through email, or worse, an automated ticketing system? How difficult is it to get to a live person?

Connectivity:
Almost every major auto insurance company has some kind of a web presence, but some are more internet-savvy than others. Ideally, you should be able to manage your payments and claims via an online interface, with customer support for backup if you have a question. Does your company offer a smartphone app for easier claim filing in the moment of an accident, or do you have to wait til you’re home and at a computer? Does their website provide intuitive access to phone numbers and email addresses that you might need?

Consumer Opinion:
While it’s true that the only opinion that really counts is your own, when it comes to selecting a new car insurance provider, it’s never a bad idea to get an idea of what other customers think. Websites like Yelp.com and Viewpoints.com allow user-generated reviews and comments, but you might want to check out the Better Business Bureau, as well, since they often have valuable information about whether or not complaints are handled well, or if there’s a bad track record with claims filing.

Shopping for car insurance can be confusing and overwhelming, but if you know how to compare companies, finding inexpensive, reliable coverage doesn’t have to be a stressful experience at all.