So, are we becoming a more impersonal society or just a really efficient one? Now that we can communicate in every which way, how should we purchase personal financial instruments like insurance?
There has been much discussion in some circles about how to buy insurance, and there is no right or wrong way. The most frequently used method for purchasing insurance today is to research the topic on line, pursue quotes from several sources and then meet individually with an agent to actually buy the insurance. Few transactions take place 100% over the internet, but the numbers are growing. In 2007, 12% purchased auto insurance totally on line and in 2008 that grew to 15%. Over 50% of people buying insurance still meet with an agent for the final purchase. (from comScore Online Automobile Insurance Report 2008)
The best thing that has happened to insurance shopping with the internet is that the consumer can now get several different quotes easily, instead of meeting personally with several different insurance agents and going through the long application process with each one, not knowing which is the better offering. People now just sit down at their computer and search for auto insurance, homeowners insurance, or health insurance and voila, they can get several estimates or contacts easily. It is much easier to buy insurance when several different quotes can be compared, in the comfort and privacy of your living room. You can avoid the awkward or wasted time meeting with agents who can’t provide you with a competitive quote.
So go ahead, google the kind of insurance you need and fill out applications from home and have the quotes coming to you. It’s not impersonal, it is just efficient.
If you’re like me, you search online for anything you need. If the pipes get clogged and you need a plumber, you look for one online. If your car breaks down and you don’t know a good mechanic, ditto.
But what about insurance? When you feel like you’re paying too much to cover your car or home—or you need to see the doctor and don’t have health coverage—do you know how to find the best deals and get cheap insurance online without spending all day doing it?
Though it’s wise to learn some basic insurance terms before trying to lower your rates on the Internet (see our handy-dandy insurance glossary for quick help here), you might be surprised how fast you can apply for free insurance quotes and get competitive rates online.
But what’s the difference in shopping for insurance online and fulfilling some other need there? Searching for a plumber, mechanic or other service provider requires calling each one, relaying the problem, asking for hourly rates and waiting for someone to come fix the problem (or standing in line for hours at the local repair shop to get it taken care of).
But to shop for insurance online, you can use a web site like InsureMe, spend just a few minutes completing our easy form, get matched with local insurance agents in minutes, and get multiple quotes faster than you can say “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”—from anywhere in the world.
Seriously, as you’ve probably seen in the news lately, many insurance companies are hurting—just like the rest of us—and that leaves you in the driver’s seat when it comes to getting insured. So for the most competitive rates, hop online and find cheap insurance now. It’s much less hassle than you may think!
Car insurance–you loathe to pay more for it than necessary, and if you’re like most people, you even hate to think about it longer than necessary.
With both of those facts in mind, we’ll make this post as short and practical as possible.
SMART WAYS TO SAVE ON CAR INSURANCE Raise your deductibles (to the highest level you can afford).
The deductible is the amount you agree to pay, in the event you file a claim, before your insurer starts paying. There are usually two deductibles: one for collision coverage (for damage from accidents) and one for comprehensive coverage (for damage to your car that’s not the result of a car accident, i.e., theft, vandalism, etc.).
Put down the Yellow Pages and go online. Cheap online car insurance is just a few clicks away. Sites like InsureMe.com and Bankrate.com make it easy to compare quotes from multiple insurers.
Maintain a squeaky clean credit rating and driving record.
Did you know that your credit history is one the biggest factors in determining your auto insurance premium? Well it is! So it pays to pay your credit card and other bills. It also goes without saying that insurers will ding you not for only accidents, but also for any moving violations, including speeding tickets.
Combine policies under one insurer.
Do you have other types of insurance? Try getting a quote for all of them under one insurer. Most them offer generous multi-policy discounts.
If you are interested in reading more about auto insurance, just click over to the InsureMe Insurance Resource Center.
After 16 years of driving your teen back and forth to school, to countless soccer or football games, and to friends’ houses for sleepovers, the day finally comes when he gets that long-anticipated license. Now he’s ready to hop behind the wheel and drive himself wherever he needs to go–and mom and dad can finally relax at home, right?
Not quite. Though that adorable little child you once knew has grown up some and begun taking responsibility (though whether or not he can make his bed might still be questionable!), he still needs a lot more driving experience–and some extra maturity–to ensure wise decision making on the road.
After all, doing things like giving the other driver the benefit of the doubt and constantly checking that blind spot don’t come naturally to most inexperienced drivers.
Then there’s the matter of insurance. When you add your teenager to your car insurance policy, you naturally expect your insurance rates to rise. Why? Because just like your child, teenagers as a group tend to have more accidents than experienced drivers–about three times as many, to be precise–and it’s this increased risk of accident and insurance claims that causes higher teen car insurance quotes.
But there are ways to get around those higher insurance premiums. A student who has good grades, takes a driver’s training course or drives an older car may qualify for discounts–and that can really help out when it comes to making car insurance more affordable.
Regardless of cost, teens simply can’t drive without insurance. And because we love our kids and want the best for them, we do everything possible to protect them while they’re driving–just as we’ve done all their lives.
So when it’s time to insure your teen driver, make sure he has plenty of insurance coverage, just in case. That way, no matter who he’s with or what mistakes he makes, he stays safe while driving–and you’re prepared for most anything!
For tips on insuring teen drivers and saving money on teen car insurance, please reference these articles in our Insurance Resource Center:
Normally, we strive to keep horn-tooting to a minimum here on the InsureMe Insurance Blog. But we’re going to risk a little immodesty and share some great news with you:
Our parent company, Bankrate.com, just earned a spot (41) on Forbes’ list of the 200 Best Small Companies.
Here’s what Forbes had to say:
Turmoil in the economy is good for Bankrate (No. 41). It provides information on more than 300 financial products, such as mortgages, car loans and money market accounts to consumers. Jittery investors have become addicted to the North Palm Beach, Fla. outfit’s Web site, which features news and advice. Last year 60 million visitors generated 554 million Web page views for the company.
To clarify, Bankrate does not exactly welcome economic turmoil (it was doing quite well when the market was bullish). However, the company does indeed relish the opportunity to help people save money on all kinds of ‘bank rates,’ including rates for things like credit cards, insurance and college loans.
Both Bankrate and InsureMe know that people across the country are struggling to cut fixed costs on things like food, fuel and utilities. People are flocking to sites like InsureMe.com to get, for example, an online auto insurance quote, because insurance is one of those large fixed costs that many people would gleefully pay less for.
Good news is hard to come by these days. The silver lining is that there are services–get ready for more horn-tooting–like Bankrate and InsureMe, which allow people to save money and live a little bit more comfortably.
For introverts like me, email’s a godsend. While I don’t have an aversion to face-to-face conversation, I’m much better at formulating my thoughts “on paper” (translation: electronically) where I can mull them over, than assimilating them on-demand on the spot. (This also explains why I can’t live without email, Facebook and text messaging!)
Maybe it’s just the writer in me–or the fact that, alone with my computer, I can actually hear myself think. But I divert slightly.
We all know human beings suffer emotionally and socially without interaction. But the way we establish and maintain connections socially and in business settings is an even more interesting topic of study.
While my own preference for electronic communication sets me apart from others my age, most of whom prefer connecting in person and eye-to-eye, today’s young people prefer to forge relationships electronically (like me). Because 92 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 29 are online, they prefer to keep in touch with friends and meet new ones online. And when they need something, the internet is the first (and often only) place they go to find it.
These communication preferences also spill over into shopping habits. When teens and 20-somethings need to find insurance for their cars, they tend to ask their friends for advice or hop online to find an insurance agent and get online car insurance quotes. Why? Because it’s quick, easy, and doesn’t require a lot of time or fuss.
Older Americans, on the other hand, tend to look to their “good neighbor” insurance agent down the street–or the business pages of their phone books–to find an insurance agent who can provide what they need. Having been raised in a time when people conducted business face-to-face across the dinner table or sitting on the living room sofa sipping coffee, they prefer building relationships in person–and sealing business deals with a handshake.
How do you make connections? Do you prefer the ease and speed of electronic means or the security and tradition of human contact? Please weigh in and share your thoughts.
Truck insurance is typically–though not always–more expensive than car insurance. Why? For a couple of reasons, but it’s primarily a safety issue.
For all their utility, trucks have historically not been as safe as passenger cars. High rollover rates and poor crash test results have made insurers somewhat wary–and that wariness translates into higher premiums.
The good news is that a renewed commitment to safety among manufacturers and new technologies like ABS (anti-lock brakes) and ESC (electronic stability control) are making trucks safer than ever, and that has begun to show in cheaper premiums.
Here are some quick and easy ways to save money on your truck insurance:
Elect for a higher deductible (deductible = the amount you pay before your insurance kicks in)
If you’re buying a truck, opt for every safety feature available
Get multiple quotes before buying a policy
Before you click away, we’d like to get your opinion on one of the most hotly debated issues of our time:
And feel free to sound off in the comment section below!
Friday afternoon, and a beautiful day in Colorado. A little too cold for a tent, and a little too removed from nature for a hotel room. How about taking an RV out for a spin to enjoy the fabulous fall colors? The RV is such a perfect blend between ‘taking it easy’ and camping.
Recreational vehicles also let you enjoy the people you are traveling with. Great conversations ensue. Just compare in your mind the difference between sitting on an airplane with your buddy versus being in a comfortable lounging chair sharing fun commentary while you see the country around you.
Many people rent RVs, because they are such an expensive purchase. However, given the economy and concerns about fuel economy, and the lack of car sales in general, now might be a good time to convert some of those stocks into an RV. Not that I can give any investment advice, but I do know a good time when I see it. My cousin, Arne, travels around the country with the RV he purchased (traded in his sail boat) and has seen more of the US in the past few years than he ever did flying all over the country. Moreover, he has had more fun than ever before too. And it is stress free travel.
And, like everything else, if you think about buying an RV, you also need to check out RV insurance requirements. An RV is a significant investment, so you need to ensure you are adequately covered, and include those costs in your analysis of buy versus rent.
After 16 years of driving your teen back and forth to school, to countless soccer or football games, and to friends’ houses for sleepovers, the day finally comes when he gets that long-anticipated license. Now he’s ready to hop behind the wheel and drive himself wherever he needs to go–and mom and dad can finally relax at home, right?
Normally, we strive to keep horn-tooting to a minimum here on the InsureMe Insurance Blog. But we’re going to risk a little immodesty and share some great news with you:
