Just Curious, Online Sales

[moonlightandmargaritas]

I find it hard to believe that with all the money insurance companies have that they haven't at least put together some websites where you can go through the whole process from fact finder to application interactively online.

Esurance Online Car Insurance — Get Your Quote & Save on Auto Insurance?

 

[emery011]

Progressive does offer cheaper rates if you purchase online without an agent. There is a slight increase to pay for agent fees if you sign up through an agent.
One other thing I would add about quoting auto insurance: It seems that most people have no idea why they have the coverage amounts to begin with. Even if you did a fact finder about their auto insurance, most wouldn't know how to answer how much they need or why they have chosen the amounts that they have.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

All I know is I have the highest deductible possible. If they allowed 10K deductibles I'd have it.

 

[Mr_Ed]

Is anyone here or is anyone you know able to make sales online without interaction? I'm just wondering if anyone has figured it out for the people who refuse to or don't want to meet with an agent.

Is it even possible for someone to fill out an application on their own?

Every kind of insurance is sold "online".

And most insurers do not object to it anymore.

When I started selling LTCi over the phone in 1999, a few LTC insurers objected to an application being taken without my having seen the applicants. Those insurers would have a nurse go and visit the applicants.

Today, none of the insurers require that.

 

[justing]

The problem with buyinf car insurance over the web is there is no one to inform you of the downsides of buying state minimums if you should get into a serious accident. 25K coverage will not cover 200K in claims. Who is on the hook for the other 175K, that would be the insured, my wife is an attorney and has seen it to many times.

Who online is going to tell the person that.

 

[bdagent]

there is a company selling seniors car insurance in TX and some other states and they pay by the mile!!! can buy 5k miles etc. so if they only drive to church and store they dont have to pay the high rates.....i thought it was awesome idea and promptly called them to try to sell it myself, they have no people to talk to and advertise that agents will never be involved to keep prices down....all purchased thru the computer and its highly based on the seniors' honesty!!!
What the hell!

 

[jiminfla]

You can buy auto insurance completely online through multiple carriers, never talk to an agent.
Progressive does charge less if you buy right on their website, but keep in mind that Progressive has over a dozen Progressive companies they write auto policies in, so when you call an agent that sells Progressive, they may quote you in a different "company" and that is why the rates are different.

 

[Alston]

My site does a lot of both pre-selling and selling for us. Some people find what they need without talking to an agent. Others will call us before they make a final decision.

Most want a little hand holding. However, we make a few sales each month without any direct client contact.

 

[Johnnyboy29073]

I fear the day when the INS company no longer needs an insurance agent to sell insurance. You will see more and more companies with tv ads and telling you that you can buy direct or making websites. I'm already seeing it with Car Ins.

A great response.

 

[somarco]

I probably average a couple of apps a week, maybe more, where the prospect runs the rates and starts the app. Probably 90% never finish and most of the ones who do make it all the way through are declined.

But I still manage to write maybe a dozen apps a year without any involvement on my part.

Almost all of the apps are either for plans with gaping holes in them (such as no Rx) plus a few with really low deductibles and copay's.

People have no idea what they need and no idea what to expect. I reviewed an app last week where a guy admitted to smoking marijuana. When I told him he would be rejected by all carriers he was incredulous. Said he bought life insurance a few months earlier and admitted to lighting up and it was not a problem.