Having your car insured is one of the best things you can do as a responsible car owner. It provides coverage not only for damage and loss on your part but also to affected persons as well, such as in the case of road mishaps. More importantly, it gives you peace of mind and an assurance that, should there be an incident on the road, you and other people affected will be insured.
How does online car insurance work?
Online car insurance is an insurance policy captured online which handles expenses as a result of an accident, theft or third party liability. It is mandatory and it protects you from financial emergencies and legal liability resulting from collision, bodily injury and damage to you, your vehicle and other persons. There are now various companies which offer car insurance online with low premiums to choose from.
Benefits of online car insurance
There are many advantages if you purchase your car insurance policy online:
It requires no agents at all.
There is no need for a middleman such as an insurance agent or broker if you purchase car insurance online. You can easily search for car insurance companies and get quotes directly from them without having to go through the trouble of dealing with various agents.
It is budget-friendly.
Securing your car insurance online saves you time and money. With just a few clicks you can easily contact car insurance companies to get an informed decision. Also, since you’re dealing with car insurance companies directly you’ll save money since you don’t have to pay an agent or broker.
There are online reviews to help you decide.
Confused with what car insurance company to choose? You need not worry as the internet has a rich resource of online reviews to help you decide. Check out a company’s customer ratings and what past clients are saying about their customer service and support. Opt for a reputable car insurance company backed with years of experience in the industry.
You can purchase anytime you want.
Buying car insurance online is convenient as you don’t have to adhere to office hours. You can access a car insurance company’s website anytime and you can buy car insurance regardless of the time of day.
It has a fuss-free and user-friendly process.
Since you’re mostly doing the work yourself, purchasing car insurance online provides easy access and convenience. There is no waiting time required in processing insurance documents and as a result, you’ll also be able to save more time and effort. Also, your online financial transactions are secure.
Disadvantages of online car insurance
While there are benefits if you buy car insurance online it also has its disadvantages. These are:
You have to rely on your own expertise.
Since you’re buying your car insurance online it also means you’re a one-man army who has to rely on your own expertise. This can be a real struggle especially if it’s not really your cup of tea. You have to double your efforts in researching answers to your insurance-related inquiries since there is no agent to assist you.
You have to file a claim on your own.
As mentioned earlier, you’re doing everything alone and this also means filing claims on your own at a time of loss or accident. This can be hard as you tend to be in a lot of pressure and stress during such an unfortunate time.
You have to be computer-savvy.
Purchasing car insurance online can be stressful if you don’t have ample computer skills as you have to fill in all the needed information for your car insurance quote.
You have to call an 800 number and an automated system.
While there is ample information available online, still there will be times when you have to speak to a person through an 800 number to clarify insurance-related concerns. However, this can be frustrating as you have to go through an automated system which can put you on hold at long intervals.
Essential tips when buying online car insurance
These are just some of the tips that will guide you in purchasing car insurance online:
- Be sure to compare car insurance policies from at least a few companies.
- Make sure that you know your requirements and the coverage you wish to buy.
- Always use a car insurance calculator, an online tool that gives a rough estimate of your car insurance policy cost.
- Be sure to declare the accurate insured declared value of your car.
- Price should not be your only basis when choosing your car insurance company.
- Choose only relevant add-ons for your car insurance policy.
- Take things slowly and don’t rush with your decisions.
- Be sure to determine the cost of the policy for 12 months (they often have 6 month premiums)
With online car insurance, you are assured that expenses will be covered promptly. It also ensures that you, your loved ones and other people affected are covered in case of accident or theft.