It is now there for all to see: taking out insurance can have very different costs depending on how you choose the insurance company. The first assessment that comes naturally is that online insurance is much cheaper than that of traditional insurance companies.
But does this economic saving always correspond to the same qualitative level? How can we learn to trust a policy underwritten online if we have no direct experience of any kind? How do you understand if the coverage is the same on two different contracts? And then, the most insidious and recurring doubt: how can we know if the insurance company with which we want to ensure our vehicle has the possibility and the financial capacity to compensate the damages of an accident if it happened? In short: can I be sure that the compensation will arrive without problems, delays or delays?
In short, it is a question of deciding on the reliability and safety of an insurance company and making a decision about it is complex, whether the insurance company is traditional or online. Many of these doubts are inevitable, and, indeed, it is right to have a suspicious and prudent attitude towards such a delicate issue. Raising questions is the first step to avoid being in a nightmare situation, in which we suddenly find ourselves without assistance.
There are some cases in which consumers, while regularly paying the premium for their insurance, have found themselves completely discovered (and abandoned) by the insurance company in the moment of need or the event of a claim. This happens because the signed contract is not read carefully, with the relative conditions and the dreaded – sometimes not completely transparent – clauses. But we will see that it is possible to minimize the risk of misunderstandings through a phase of selection and choice of the company, which can meet the motorist’s needs without forcing him to pay an excessively expensive premium.
With online insurance, you save: this is a fact. The difference between the rates offered by the online agency compared to the traditional one has easily explained: more digital services mean less infrastructure and personnel, less infrastructure and personnel equals fewer service costs, and lower service costs affect consumer tariffs. Cheaper. All this is possible, in short, thanks to the savings of the companies on management costs, on the rent of the spaces used for shops, and on the related staff.
But the question we must ask ourselves is, first of all: do equal services correspond to such economic savings? Will I get the same coverage if I pay a lower premium? Many online insurance companies offer excellent coverage, despite the low cost of the annual premium. However, it is necessary to understand the real services offered to be sure not to pay less for coverage that does not live up to our expectations. Travelling with the certainty of being insured against the greatest risks allows us to travel our daily business trip or the long pleasure trip with a different spirit, more serene, more relaxed and focused on the commitments of the day.
So let’s see what the key points that we need to check when reading the contract and the necessary checks to be sure we are dealing with a serious, credible and reliable agency are. The time we invest in these checks will pay off in the long term when we are sure we have the right guarantees in the event of an accident.
Reading the contract
First, you need to get a copy of the contract (some agencies make it available online on their website, or you can request it via email from customer service) and carefully read the key points. It is necessary to understand if you have all the insurance guarantees normally provided by a policy underwritten through a traditional agency at the same price- or a better price. Among the various services, check the conditions for risk coverage and the difference between basic coverage and driver insurance, find out if roadside assistance is included (wrecker or replacement car) and, last but not least, also look for information on legal protection.
Check ceilings and clauses.
The ceilings and clauses are the second key point of the contract: we are talking about the conditions under which the insurance company is required to intervene (and to what extent) in the event of an accident. If you don’t read carefully, you will only find out too late that the company is under no obligation to pay compensation or damages in many situations.
Spying
Said this way, it will seem a bit extreme, but in reality, we recommend that you inquire carefully with friends and acquaintances who have already signed up for an online policy. Their stories, reports, the degree of satisfaction will give you direct and sincere feedback, not filtered by advertisements and gains, on the reliability of one company over another. If you can, ask to analyze the contract they have signed, but keep in mind that contracts are often “customized” according to the customer’s needs and driving experience. If you don’t know anyone who can help you, turn to the infinite world of the web: many blogs and websites comment on the rates and services of insurance companies.
Verification of registration in the registers
The last but essential step is verifying the registration of the insurance company with ANIA (National Association for Insurance Companies). Every insurance company that offers car insurance and other financial products must be registered. Furthermore, check on the IVASS website (Institute for Insurance Supervision) that the amounts of the ceilings and indemnity correspond to those established by IVASS: otherwise, the insurance company is not in order, and you must be careful not to subscribe to a contract on its terms.
