Many consumers today turn to third party sellers to get car insurance quotes and compare companies. A third party seller is an e-commerce platform in which third parties sell products. In the insurance case, third party sellers allow you to receive quotes from many different carriers. Thanks to the Internet, getting car insurance quotes is easier and quicker now more than ever. You’re able to get a quote in minutes online just by entering your information. However, while third party seller tools make life a lot easier, there are things to consider while you enter your information and click the magic button.

Because third party sellers have become so prevalent in the car insurance purchasing process, we conducted a shopping experience study to get feedback from consumers on how they rate car insurance third party sellers. We found that 81 percent of people reported having a positive experience with an online quote or comparison resource. Participants generally found the process to be easy and quick. But how many people actually followed through with a purchase?

Compare third party sellers

There are many third party sellers out there to choose from, and it can be tricky to find the right one for you. At Clearsurance, we have thousands of reviews on third party sellers written by consumers who’ve used them and shared their experience. You can visit the profiles of third party sellers to learn about the company and read consumer reviews. A few examples of third party sellers you can check out are CoverHound, EverQuote and Compare.com.

When comparing third party sellers, there are certain things you should look for. First, find out if they offer quotes for the type of insurance you’re looking for in your area. Read reviews to see how satisfied other users were with their experience and if their data was sold.

Understand how your data may be used

Before using a third party seller, you should understand the risks associated with entering your personal information. Marketplaces run on data. The information you enter is vital to providing you an accurate quote, but you may not be aware that, in some cases, it might be shared with other third parties.

We found that about 63 percent of people who used a third party seller reported they were clear on how their data was being used, yet many stated they were not confident they read anything regarding how their information was being used.

In some cases, your personal information may be sold to a seperate third party. In other instances, it’s passed on to insurance agents who may use your information to contact you via phone or email. Each third party seller is different, and while it may be tedious, it’s best to do your research on how they plan to use your personal information before you enter it.

Provide accurate information

Once you decide to use a third party seller, it’s important to provide accurate information in order to get an accurate quote. Insurance rates can change from the time you receive a quote and the time you purchase, and a big factor in that change is whether or not the information you entered was correct.

There are many factors that determine your car insurance rates. Some of the information you will need to provide includes your vehicle information, your personal information, the information of other drivers on your policy (if applicable) and your current insurance policy. Although more than half of people stated that the actual price ended up being the same as their quoted price, 26 percent reported it was quite higher than their quoted price and 12 percent reported it was quite lower.

The personal information you should have on hand when looking for an online quote includes your date of birth, address and license number. You will also likely need to provide your occupation and marital status. You will be asked information about your current insurance policy, if you have one, and what your rate is. Your driving history may also be required.

Be prepared to provide information of anyone else that will be on your policy. If you will be on the policy with other people, you will need their personal information. Are they new drivers or are they experienced? Additionally, include how many cars you will be insuring on your policy and whether the drivers on your policy will be listed as drivers or non-drivers on each car.

Shop around for multiple car insurance quotes

Getting quotes is important, but it’s just as important to compare the companies you get quotes from. One company may be offering you a low price, but you don’t want to find out later when it’s too late that it handles claims poorly. You shouldn’t settle with the first company you receive a quote from or the lowest quote. It’s best to get quotes from multiple companies and then compare the companies to find the one that’s best for you.

In our study, we found only 45 percent of people who used third party sellers actually purchased insurance from the quote they received. The most common reason consumers didn’t buy was because they felt their quoted price wasn’t low enough to justify switching insurance companies. In some cases, though, it may be worth the effort of switching if the other company has a stronger reputation. An important step is to compare the companies using reviews and ratings from real policyholders. Clearsurance has thousands of car insurance reviews, which allow you to easily see the top-rated car insurance companies according to other consumers.

Third party sellers can be a useful resource or e-commerce platform in the insurance buying process when you’re prepared. And when quotes are compared with Clearsurance company reviews and ratings, you can make a well-researched decision on which company to insure your vehicle(s) with.

The content on this site is offered only as a public service to the web community and does not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. This site should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an insurance company or an attorney licensed or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. You should always consult a suitably qualified attorney regarding any specific legal problem or matter. The comments and opinions expressed on this site are of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the insurance company or any individual attorney.