How to Buy and Shop for Auto Insurance Online

Purchasing automobile insurance has traditionally been a painful experience.  You generally had to search through the yellow pages or you drive out to the store front of insurance agents and deal with their aggressive sales pressure in person.   Either way you end up wasting a lot of your time trying to find the right company and policy, and often still wonder if you got the best deal after all your efforts.

As the internet became as common and indispensable as the cars themselves, the situation has gotten somewhat better.  Automobile insurance companies realize consumers prefer to do their research and get quotes online, so they’ve adapted and made the process much simpler.  Most of these companies offer secure, easy-to-fill forms.  With this data, the company will either directly send you an instant quote or an insurance agent will call you with a better understanding of your situation and needs, which will help speed the process.  There are generally two types of automobile insurance companies: Direct companies such as Geico, 21st Century, and Esurance, and  Comparison companies such as NetQuote, Hometown Quotes and Insurance.com.  Below are the Pros and Cons of each.

Direct

+ Will better understand the policies their company provides.
+ Will better understand the discounts and promotions that are applicable to you, helping you save more.
- Often provides no or limited comparison to other companies.
- Will be bias towards their own company.

Comparison

+ Provides a comprehensive comparison between multiple insurance companies.
+ Will help you find companies that offer the best ‘by-the-numbers’ rates for your particular situation and policies.
- May not understand all the discounts and promotions of a particular company.  Especially harmful if a better company is unfairly priced out of your range.
- Will not help you compare the rates relative the companies quality of service. 

You’ve probably realized that by working with both types of companies, you can get the best of both worlds and make sure you are getting rates possible.  Combine this with actual customer reviews of automobile insurance companies from AutomobileInsuranceReview.com and you now have all the information you need to get the best possible rates from the company that will provide you with the service you expect.  Follow the steps below:

1. This step is not necessary if you already know the company or companies that you wish to insure with.  Read customer reviews to find the best insurance companies in your area at AutomobileInsuranceReview.com.  From there, find a few companies that will best fit your needs.  You can also share your own experiences with other users by writing a review of your own, whether good or bad. 

Tip # 1

1. An insurance company’s level of service may vary from State to State, and even from City to City.  Press the ‘Reviews by State’ link on the m
2. Ratings for insurance companies may appear low, but keep in mind the score is relative.  Customers are more inclined to report bad experiences that good experiences.
3. After you have shorted the companies that you are willing to insure with, start requesting quotes by filling out the online forms.  Start with Comparison companies an get quotes from each:
   1. Hometown Quotes
   2. Insurance.com
   3. NetQuote

Tip # 2

1. When talking to an agent, have your notes ready from step 1 to keep your call focused and quick.  These agents compare rates from a very comprehensive list of companies.
2. Log the name of the agent you worked with and the rates offered for reference.
   1. Next fill out the forms from Direct companies.  Below are a few of the larger and more reliable companies that we recommend:
      1. Esurance
      2. Geico
      3. AIG
      4. Unitrin Direct
      5. 21st Century

Tip # 3

1. A secret that is often overlooked is to ask about promotions and discounts that may be applicable to you.  Some common discounts and promotions that are applicable to most people are:
1. Good Student discounts
2. Training course discounts
3. Good Driver discounts
4. Multiple cars and drivers under one policy
5. Special programs that will give you a discount such as the “record while you drive” program.
2. Log the name of the agent you worked with and the rates offered for reference.
3. After you have found THE company that you want to insure your cars with, sign up directly at their web site or call one of the agents that you work with previously.  You have now signed up with an automobile insurance company that best fits your needs at the lowest rates possible!

SUMMARY

1. Read customer reviews of automobile insurance companies that you wish to insure with in your area at AutomobileInsuranceReview.com
2. Get quotes from Comparison companies by filling out their online forms:


1. Hometown Quotes
2. Insurance.com
3. NetQuote


3. Get quotes from Direct companies by filling out their online forms:


1. Esurance
2. Geico
3. AIG
4. Unitrin Direct
5. 21st Century

4.  Choose an Automobile Insurance Company!