Reader’s Question:

I need to get auto insurance immediately, but I am left hanging on whether to get it online or not. This is because when I compare auto insurance rates, I get various results. Now, I am nowhere near deciding whether to go online or not. Can anyone help me?

Jenny

Reno, NV

Jenny, what did you expect? Of course, you would get various results. When you compare auto insurance rates, you have to remember that auto insurance companies take into account a lot of different factors that may affect the price of your policy. Your auto insurance premium is affected by things such as your personal profile, your driving history, your credit record, and so on and so forth. Also, prices vary greatly from company to company. Some auto insurance companies specialize on providing service for the military, some on DUI offenders, for instance.

Now, since your main concern is whether to buy online or not, we should just focus on the advantages and the disadvantages of these two ways.

When you go online, you have to be very careful of bogus sites. Before you transact with any company, you should make sure that they are accredited by your state’s Insurance Department. This is going to make you sure that your best interest, along with your money, is in good hands. The good thing about the Internet is that it is time-saving, and it relieves you of all the hassle of getting in touch with and even personally going to different offices of auto insurance companies. You can inquire, research, get your free quotes and eventually buy an auto insurance policy within the comforts of your own home. The only problem here is that it is too impersonal. You do not feel that you are actually transacting with people because you are just in front of the computer. This personal touch is what you get when you go the traditional way.

Going the conventional way enables you to immediately have your questions answered because you are directly talking to people. Your questions shall be thoroughly explained to you by an auto insurance agent or broker, especially since people tend to have questions pop out of their mind as they go along with the whole process.

To finish, both ways are efficient. It just depends both on your own preference and your limitations.