If the title sounds presumptive, it is. Every day, countless people take to the Internet to request an online car insurance quote in hopes of finding better coverage or a better rate. While anyone can find prices for generalized coverage, it is rare that drivers know how to navigate online quote engines to get coverage that actually meets their needs.
When the assistance of a personal agent is removed, many risks that otherwise would have been considered may go unnoticed. Continue reading to learn about three important things drivers often fail to think of when getting an online car insurance quote.
1. You Might Not be Covered for an Accident that Happens on the Job
This one is tricky because every insurance company is different in how it extends coverage to people who use their vehicles for work. When you sign up for coverage, your insurer will probably ask about your annual mileage and whether you use your car to commute to work each day. If you use your vehicle at work, however, the coverage may enter a gray area. When you work with an agent, it’s easy to explain the ways you use your vehicle and ensure you find a way to get adequate coverage – even if that means purchasing a separate commercial policy. When you get your coverage online, however, you might find out too late that your personal car insurance won’t cover the accident you had if that accident occurred, for example, while working for a ride-sharing service.
2. Your Custom Parts Aren’t Covered
When you purchase collision and comprehensive coverage for your car insurance, you assume any damages to your vehicle will be repaired or replaced in good-as-new condition. There is some truth to that. Technically, your car will be put back into factory condition; only you may be disappointed to find the repairs have been completed with aftermarket parts instead of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. Worse, you may find that any custom changes you made to your vehicle, such as expensive sound systems or cosmetic upgrades, are not covered at all. Your policy would generally need an OEM parts endorsement and special equipment coverage to ensure your vehicle is fully covered, bumper to bumper.
3. Online Comparison Sites May Be Selling Your Information
Many online car insurance websites tout ‘comparison’ shopping with quotes in just minutes. Though these third-party sites are not representative of any one particular company, the fine print at the end of the quote request form often says your information will be sold to multiple insurance companies and agents in your area. Before you know it, your phone, email, and mailbox are filled with solicitations for your business.
Online Car Insurance Quotes from an Independent Agent
While the above three examples are common scenarios experienced by drivers who request quotes online, there are many more special circumstances people face as a result of using a computerized program rather than a real life person to shop for insurance. Instead of shopping with carrier or comparison websites, try requesting an online car insurance quote from a local, independent agent who will do the comparison shopping on your behalf and work to ensure your risks are covered – even the ones you may not have thought of.
For more information or to request your free car insurance quote, visit Reis Insurance today.