Is Buying Car Insurance Online Reliable?
Written by Sahar
The world has become one big village under the world wide web net. You can shop for items online and have them shipped across continents. It opens up the scope of your buying power. It also promotes healthy competition. Companies big and small are forced to get creative.
Online stores are also great for traditional shoppers. Before stepping out of the house, you can scout out a shop’s wares and prices online. It leads to more informed buying.
It is common to buy clothes, furniture, and even groceries online. Many enterprising individuals even buy second-hand course books to save on academic fees. These online transactions aren’t going down either. The online market is thriving. Many traditional stores have closed because the footfall fell, and online traffic increased.
However, the online market isn’t immune to scams. Many buyers had written scathing reviews when the product they ordered was nothing like what they received. From sizing differences to low-quality goods, online shopping does have its disadvantages. However, consumer courts try to keep these shady peddlers in line, and more spring up from time to time.
So this begs the question – is buying something as important as car insurance online reliable?
Right Side of the Law
The UAE has strict insurance laws. It isn’t easy to set up an online platform for insurance without the approval of the UAE Insurance Authority. As a result, it is very unlikely you will find a scam artist online. Similarly, you will find that insurance providers only align themselves with online car insurance platforms that have passed the scrutiny of the UAE Insurance Authority.
Primarily Informal Comparison Platform
Car insurance online is primarily an informal comparison platform. Websites like BuyAnyInsurance bring insurance providers and buyers together. They aren’t there to formally tender car insurance policies.
Car insurance platforms online are where you can peruse through policies and compare them at length. They also allow you to weigh the pros and cons of policy providers.
Since they are informal, it’s like taking a store tour without a salesperson hovering over your shoulder. You take your time. If your requirements change, you can always change your search features.
It is catered to your car insurance needs. So that by the end of your time on a car insurance comparison platform, you can make an informed decision.
Premium Comparison Made Easy
The second major concern when buying car insurance is the premium. A premium is a monthly installment a policyholder pays to continue their insurance. How much will you need to pay for basic coverage? Who decides the premium? How do you calculate premiums? What factors determine the premium?
Online car insurance comparison sites help you figure out exactly how much you’ll pay for the coverage you want. Premium calculators are easily available online. Furthermore, direct quotes from insurance providers give you a head start in deciding which one you want to choose.
If your requirements change, you can easily recalculate premiums at leisure. Again, these websites are there for your convenience.
Unbiased Non-Commission Sales
It is a myth that online car insurance websites work on commission. It indicates that they push certain insurance companies more than the rest. This belief propagates the public’s wary attitude towards online car insurance purchases. They believe the comparison site is biased in the insurance company’s favor.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Online car insurance comparison websites don’t charge administration fees for users. Their services are free.
Then how do these insurance providers earn money?
It’s simple. Insurance companies recognize the growing online market for car insurance. Instead of spending considerable money creating their online store, they defer the job to comparison websites. It costs them less and gets them on a platform with potential buyers.
Because of this neat arrangement, car insurance comparison websites don’t need to push a policy to make a sale. They genuinely care that you get the right insurance for your needs.
Swift Coverage
Another factor that ensures car insurance online is reliable is how swiftly the insurance is provided. Once you choose the policy you like, it takes less than 60 minutes to get your policy started. No ore waiting for papers in the mail. The coverage starts instantly.
Like most online purchases, you receive an e-copy of your insurance policy at your email address. The physical copy reaches you in 15-30 days, but your coverage starts when you receive your e-copy.
Swift coverage is great, especially in the UAE, where driving without car insurance is punishable by law. You don’t have to wait an arduous time just to drive your car.
The Human Factor
One of the advantages that traditional insurance shopping has is the human factor. You can put a face to the company. Salespeople don’t always evoke deep trust, but they are relatable. A website is not relatable to most—especially the older demographic who aren’t as proficient with technology.
However, insurance comparison websites combine technology and human factors to ease their clientele. Human team members man BuyAnyInsurance’s live chat box. The team consists of over 15 years of experience in the field. They listen to buyer grievances and queries and provide help. The chat box isn’t reduced to automated responses.
So, essentially you get the same human attention and service online as you would expect in traditional insurance companies. The only difference is that online representatives will give you an impartial view. They don’t work for one company, so their opinion is unbiased.
24/7 After Sales Customer Support
A sales rep from an insurance company will likely leave you on ‘read’ after the sale is done. No company can guarantee 24/7 customer support. Not true for online comparison platforms. BuyAnyInsurance takes after-sales customer support very seriously. Their team is available at all hours of the day.
Buyers can get in touch with them to have their concerns answered. Policyholders are also given timely reminders before policy renewals and options for switching policies if something better comes on the market. This attention to detail makes online car insurance more reliable than the traditional method.
Purchasing car insurance online is easy and swift. It is the future of car insurance, and the sooner you get ahead of the curve, the better your car insurance needs.
How does buying car insurance online work?
You can either buy car insurance online or via an agent. Online purchase of car insurance is called direct insurance because the insurance provider deals directly with the customer.
You can either directly request the insurance providers for the quotes or use the sites that collect the information from multiple locations. The quote collecting sites can collect the quotes from various insurance providers; the quotes could be actual or estimated.
You can also compare a new policy to your old policy via quote collecting sites.
Who Should Consider Shopping for Car Insurance Online?
Anyone can go for car insurance online. Buying online car insurance can save the buyer time and money.
What documents do you need to get car insurance online?
Following are the documents that you would need to buy car insurance online:
- Driver’s License
- Vehicle Identification Number
- Your Driving History Record
Benefits of buying car insurance online:
Following are the benefits that you can enjoy if you go for online car insurance:
- Compare Multiple Insurances
- Buy the best deal
- Minimum documents required
- Convenient to buy car insurance online
- Instant policies
- Reliable insurers
- No agents required
- Genuine Policies
Pros and Cons of Buying Car Insurance Online
Buying car insurance online has its own pros and cons:
Pros Cons Less Pressure Comparisons take time Convenient Experience Estimated quotes More Discounts Not suitable for all vehicles No agents required Potential Non-availability of your favourite insurer Compare Multiple Options No specific agent available
FAQ’s
How often is car insurance paid?
You have to pay car insurance every six-months or as per the policy of the company.
How to check car insurance online?
This is as simple as visiting the website of your insurance provider and you are good to go!
How can I check my car insurance valid in UAE?
You can check the validity of your car insurance by visiting the website of RTA. Log in using your car’s registration number! You can access all the details of your car after you login.
How do I check my car insurance expiry date?
You can check car insurance expiry date by visiting the company website you are availing services of, or by just calling them directly.
How often is car insurance paid?
You have to pay car insurance every six-months or as per the policy of the company.
How to check car insurance online?
This is as simple as visiting the website of your insurance provider and you are good to go!
How can I check my car insurance valid in UAE?
You can check the validity of your car insurance by visiting the website of RTA. Log in using your car’s registration number! You can access all the details of your car after you login.
How do I check my car insurance expiry date?
You can check car insurance expiry date by visiting the company website you are availing services of, or by just calling them directly.
Can you buy car insurance completely online?
Nearly every major insurer offers a way to get quotes for car insurance online, though some require you to contact an agent before you can finalize your purchase. Many companies, however, allow you to complete the entire process on the internet, from quote to purchase.
What is the cheapest car insurance in the market?
Cheapest car insurance-third-party insurance starts at AED375.
Is it good to buy insurance online?
Online insurance plans generally quote a lower premium than the offline ones. The reason behind this is very simple; the company celebrates saving the distribution channel expenses, infrastructure charges and other overheads, by lowering the premium rates.
How can I get cheaper car insurance?
Best Ways to Get the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates are as follows:
- Don’t assume any one company is the cheapest
- Don’t ignore local and regional insurers
- Ask about discounts
- Work on your credit
- Skip comprehensive and collision coverage for an older car
- Raise your deductible
- Consider usage-based or pay-per-mile insurance
Related Articles:
What Are The Essential Documents Required For Car Insurance?
Guidelines On Car Insurance Coverages Available In UAE
Insurance Facts: Funny, Weird & Unusual Edition!
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Originally published Oct 21, 2019 18:48:59 PM, updated May 07, 2024
