How to use the internet to find the best insurance rates
The internet is the greatest invention of the 21st century. Not only does it give us the ability to communicate with people throughout the world but it lets us pick their brains and take their knowledge. By learning the intricacies of insurance, it’s possible to use the internet to find the best insurance rates.
Research discounts
One of the best ways to save money on any product is to look into the discounts offered. For insurance, customers can benefit from a variety of discounts including:
- Insuring multiple vehicles under the same policy
- Bundling home and auto insurance policies
- Being accident- or claims-free
- Taking driver’s education classes
- Installing a home security system
The hardest part about these discounts isn’t implementing them; it’s learning they exist. Thanks to the internet, you can comb through application forms, blogs, Facebook groups, and other resources to find all sorts of discounts you never knew existed, as well as learn the factors that go into a premium.
Compare insurance quotes
Buying insurance has changed dramatically this past decade. Before the rose of the internet, you were forced to meet an insurance agent at an office, watch him or her fill out an application form, and then go home to wait a few days for a quote. Today you can shop for insurance quotes from your own living room in your pyjamas at 3 a.m.
Because it’s so easy to get insurance quotes quickly and from anywhere, you have no excuse not to compare insurance quotes. Don’t settle for the first company whose name pops into your head. Visit multiple sites (and maybe even get quotes offline!) to find the best coverage at the best price.
Review your insurance policy yearly
Insurance isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it thing. You need to get quotes and comparison shop every single year to make sure you’re still getting the best price. Think about it like this: when you buy groceries each week, do you always buy red apples? What if green apples are cheaper? Yes, red apples and green apples taste slightly different but if the price was significant, I’m sure you’d think twice about buying the red ones.
Research the company and the policy
This advice isn’t so much a tip to get a lower insurance rate but rather one to help you not end up in a bad situation. Not all insurance companies are created equal. If you automatically sign up with the company that offers the lowest rates, you could inadvertently be signing up with the company that has the lowest pay-outs. Watch out for scams and make sure your company is reputable.
The same goes for your insurance policy. Cheaper policies aren’t always better. Before you sign the paperwork, take steps to ensure you understand the coverage. No one wants to find out they don’t understand their policy when it comes time to file a claim.
Insurance shopping is tedious and often dull. Fortunately, the magic of the internet can make insurance shopping much more interesting. With the internet you can research discounts, find the best rates and make sure your insurance company and policy align with your needs.