Especially for those not so well versed with information technology or IT, buying car insurance online may not only be a daunting task, but with it may come the nagging thought of whether it is safe to do so. Let’s find out more.
Buying car insurance involves many aspects, and that is why we urge readers not to take the following information as advice, but rather as general information. We recommend that you should see a registered financial advisor for professional advice on any insurance product that may interest you.
INTERNET SAVES THE DAY
Before direct marketers and online insurance were available, you would have to contact an insurance agent, who would either call you, visit you or see you at your home or office. The agent would explain to you what the policy was all about. He or she might have offered you the best insurance option, based on information obtained from several insurance companies.
However, today, all required information for buying insurance is readily available online or over the phone, thus making life a lot easier.
HOW MUCH AND WHAT KIND OF COVERAGE IS BEING OFFERED?
Before going online, first research which items you would like to see included in an insurance quote. For instance, do you need to have roadside assistance and car hire? Then, go online and see if the respective online insurance companies is ticking all the stipulated boxes.
ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY INFORMATION
Before going online, make sure you have all the required information available, such as car and personal details. Insurance companies that use risk profiling to determine premiums, need to have accurate information about your driving history so that they can establish a correct risk profile. Omitting any vital information may lead to the rejection of a claim later on.
ARE YOU SAFE BUYING INSURANCE ONLINE?
According to carinsurance101, a company based in the US, the answer is a ‘resounding’ yes, and it’s as safe to shop online as it is buying insurance online. However, there are some precautionary steps you need to take, to avoid those ever-present scams. In this way, you can go online at no risk.
CHOOSE A WELL-KNOWN INSURANCE COMPANY
When obtaining online quotes, do some research on the company providing the information you need. Only deal with companies that are of good repute.
DOES THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAVE A SECURE WEBSITE?
There is always the danger that personal or credit card information can be obtained illegally by cyber criminals. Always make sure that the insurance company has a secure website by looking for that little padlock symbol at the start of the website address. Such secure websites will have all the safeguards in place.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO BEFORE CONCLUDING THE CONTRACT ONLINE?
Make sure that you are paying for the all the cover you want. You don’t want to pay, only to discover at a later stage that a particular benefit was mistakenly excluded from the contract.
Disclaimer:
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views and opinions of Prime Meridian Direct (Pty) Ltd, FSP41040 (car insurance and life cover products). The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.