Insurance World

Searching for an instant car insurance quote online may seem like the perfect way to search for many of us. Let’s face it, in today’s fast-paced society, who has the time to drive to individual insurance agencies and get a personalized insurance quote? There are jobs to be done, groceries to be bought, kids to be picked up from daycare, and dinners to prepare. Finding the time to visit an insurance agency is, at times, a laughable goal.

Therefore, many of us decide to get an instant car insurance quote online, right from home; after all, we do have a few minutes to spend in front of the computer during our first morning cup of coffee, or right before bed, right? Right. But before you start your search for an instant car insurance quote online, arm yourself from unnecessarily high car insurance rates.

Many insurance companies that do business solely online charge much more for car insurance than those you do business with in person; however, at the same time, there are so many car insurance companies online that they must compete with each other in order to obtain customers, and one way they compete is by matching or offering lower prices.

During your search for an instant car insurance quote online, make sure to search a wide variety of online car insurance companies. Take note of the quotes they offer, as well as the services and coverage they provide. Compare these quotes, services, and coverage options with what your own local insurance company or agent will offer you. You should also make sure to check with your state’s insurance department to find out the going rate for insurance premiums in your area – this knowledge will help keep you from paying more than you need to, whether you decide to purchase your car insurance from an online car insurance company, or while in the office of your local insurance agent.

Prohibited Marketing Practices. It is unlawful for a company or agent to use high pressure tactics to force or frighten you into buying a Medigap policy, or to make fraudulent or misleading comparisons to get you to switch from one company or policy to another. Deceptive “cold lead” advertising also is prohibited. This lactic involves mailings to identify individuals who might be interested in buying insurance. If you fill in and return the card enclosed in the mailing, the card may be sold to an insurance agent who will try to sell you a policy.

Check Your Right to Renew. States now require that Medigap policies be guaranteed renewable. This means that the company can refuse to renew your policy only if you do not pay the premiums or you made material misrepresentations on the application. Beware of older policies that let the company refuse to renew on an individual basis. These policies provide the least permanent coverage. Even though your policy may be guaranteed renewable the company may adjust the premiums from time to time. Some policies have premiums which increase as you grow older.

Know With Whom You’re Dealing. A company must meet certain qualifications to do business in your state. You should check with your state insurance department to make sure that any company you are considering is licensed in your state. This is for your protection. Agents also must be licensed by your state and may be required by the state to carry proof of licensure showing their name and the company they represent. If the agent cannot verify that he or she is licensed, do not buy from that person. A business card is not a license.

Keep Agents’ and/or Companies’ Names, Addresses and Telephone Numbers. Write down the agents’ and/or companies’ names, addresses and telephone numbers or ask for a business card that provides all that information.

If You Decide To Buy, Complete the Application Carefully. Do not believe an insurance agent who tells you that your medical history on an application is not important. Some companies ask for detailed medical information. If you leave out any of the medical information requested, coverage could be refused for a period of time for any medical condition you neglected to mention. The company also could deny a claim for treatment of an undisclosed condition and/or cancel your policy.

Look For an Outline of Coverage. You must be given a clearly worded summary of the policy… READ IT CAREFULLY.

Do Not Pay Cash. Pay by check, money order or bank draft made payable to the insurance company, not to the agent or anyone else. Get a receipt with the insurance company’s name, address and telephone number for your records.

Policy Delivery or Refunds Should be Prompt. The insurance company should deliver a policy within 30 days. If it does not, contact the company and obtain in writing the reason for the delay. If 60 days go by without a response, contact your state insurance department.

Use the “Free-Look” Provision. Insurance companies must give you at least 30 days to review a Medigap policy. If you decide you don’t want the policy, send it back to the agent or company within 30 days of receiving it and ask for a refund of all premiums you paid. Contact your state insurance department if you have a problem getting a refund.

And again, do not rush or be pressured into deciding on a policy. Trusting salespeople will take their time with you. If you are uncertain about a particular program, have the salesperson tell it to someone else, this sometimes helps too.