Buying Insurance Online

 

Top Tips for Avoiding the Pitfalls

  
Insurance is something we all need but are reluctant to get. These days you can insure your car, your house, yourself and even your pet (and I’m not talking about a thoroughbred horse). There are hundreds of companies offering various deals but it’s clear that the future of insurance, as with everything else, is on the Internet.

In the past few years a raft of companies have launched online insurance services but as a consumer, how do you know which one to go for? On the Internet there are plenty of deals on offer and finding the best one is not always obvious. There are certain areas which need to be avoided and the best way to do so is to read on…
Go with someone you can trust
Don’t take unnecessary risks by buying from a company that isn’t established and reputable. Look for someone with a good, solid history and make sure they are recognised or accredited by the industry. A number of insurance companies are cropping up online and it’s not always clear who’s behind them.
Look for someone with ‘bricks and clicks’
Make sure the company you choose has more to offer you than just a website - no matter how ‘flash’ it might be! Most insurance brokers/companies worth their salt will be backed by a network of sales staff and a call centre. Some sites may be set up without the necessary technical know-how. This will cause frustration as your policies will not be processed efficiently and sometimes not at all.
Help! Can they deliver instant assistance?
You don’t want to be left in the lurch when you’re on the website and you want to ask or question or encounter a problem. Do they have backup i.e. contact details (not just an email address)? Make sure there’s someone you can talk to straight away if you want to double check that the policy you’re buying is the right one for you.
Content is Important
Do they have a good, broad product range? Is their site fully functional (not just a dump of policy mumbo jumbo on a website for the sake of it) and easy to use? Are they constantly adding new services, new functions? Your aim is to get the cheapest quotes quickly and with the minimum of fuss - does the site you use give you this?
Paying Online & Playing it Safe
As a rule consumers are cautious about online payment, and rightly so. There have been cases of Internet fraud and the last thing you want is for millions of people to have access to your credit card details! However, the ability to pay online is important as it enables you to get instant cover 24-hours a day, unlike phoning a call centre that may only be open during working hours.

If you’re paying online, the most important thing to look for is a security encryption. The site must be fully secure for e-commerce transactions. Most sites will be clearly marked with the necessary proof of security (BT Trustwise for instance) but don’t take this for granted. It’s also important the site accepts all forms of payment (credit/switch/direct debit etc). You don’t want to go through the process of booking the insurance only to find you can’t pay for it!
Details! Details!
Filling in forms, like queuing, is the bane of our lives but unfortunately it needs to be done. Believe it or not a site that doesn’t ask the relevant questions may not give you the best deal. Broker sites ask more questions as they are required to do so by the insurers they operate for. However, a little more time spent filling in the form may ultimately save you a considerable amount off your quote.
Shop Around
There are some very competitive insurance offerings available on the internet - and surfing the web makes it easy for you to shop around for a good deal. Direct insurers are safe but don’t always offer you a good deal. Insurance brokers can often offer you excellent products at much more competitive prices as they aren’t tied to just one provider. Just because larger firms have the budget to advertise, doesn’t necessarily mean they can offer the best deals. The Internet holds a great deal of information so why not explore - shop around, you won’t regret it.
Guarantees & Refunds
Does the company offer any special incentives such as money-back guarantees? This highlights the insurer’s commitment to its customers - i.e. ‘if you find a cheaper deal elsewhere, we’ll match it or refund the difference!’ A money-back guarantee can assure you you’re not being stung.

Also keep an eye out for special promotions and deals such as ‘one month’s free insurance’ if you pay monthly. You could end up saving a great deal of money in the long run.
The future of insurance services is Internet-driven and though this future looks bright there are pitfalls to be avoided. Hopefully this handy guide will help you navigate your way to finding the right online insurance policy that meets your needs and suits your budget.