Consumers 'happy to buy insurance online'
Published On 6 August 2007
Customers are becoming more used to utilising the internet when shopping for financial services and are now happy to buy car, pet and even life insurance online, an industry expert has said.Natasha Virtue, communications manager for Sainsbury's Bank, explained that the insurance market was highly competitive and consumers were now waking up to the fact that they could easily search and compare premiums online.
Ms Virtue explained that it was advisable for anyone looking for any new insurance product to obtain four quotes before making any decision and that the internet made this much easier.
She added: "In terms of online purchasing, it is a growing trend. We're seeing a steady increase.
"But we have found that people still like the phone. So you do get people who really just want to speak to somebody and get through all the details on the phone."
Despite this reservation, Ms Virtue said that many people who still wanted to apply for insurance over the phone were happy to research policies online beforehand.
A recent report from the AA showed that the typical fully comprehensive annual car insurance premium was over £822 in the second quarter of 2007.
