It is astonishing to see the sheer number of online insurance agencies which are all eager to help you obtain car insurance quotes online. An internet search for insurance policies for your automobile will net you page after page of websites each of which is prepared to get you a car insurance quote online almost instantly. But is it safe to give your personal information to insurance companies online?
Usually, car insurance quotes online are very broad and basic. The website may ask you for your zip code (in order to determine in what state you live and the minimum liability coverage required there) and little else. Later, when the time comes to actually buy a policy online, there will be many more questions.
The final cost of your automobile insurance will be based on many factors not taken into account in your initial car insurance quote online. For example:
- The kind of car you drive – is it a speedy sports car or a mini-van?
- The value of your car – is it right off the lot, or is it 15 years old?
- Your driving record
- How old you are
- Your credit rating – people who pay their bills are less likely to get traffic violations
- How many miles you drive each month
- Where you live
After you've obtained your car insurance quotes online but before you actually buy the insurance policy and submit information like your driver's license and social security number, it's a good idea to check up on the agency you're dealing with. One way to know that the agency is a safe one is to look for and find the VeriSign logo which tells you that the company you're dealing with has taken steps to protect your personal information from hackers. You may also feel safer dealing with a well-known company for these reasons and, as it works out, insurance giants like Allstate, Progressive and Nationwide also offer consistently low prices. Remember, though, that with the keen competition among insurance agencies these days, new companies are willing to slash prices in order to earn your business. Insurance today is a buyer's market.
Obtaining car quotes online is a safe and simple way to shop for insurance. With a few clicks of your computer mouse, you can find and compare rates from many companies and satisfy yourself that you are getting the most bang for your insurance buck.
