Most people now use internet research before buying car and home insurance in the UK, the AA has found
UK using internet for top insurance deals
Friday, 11 Mar 2005 08:41
Three out of every four people now use the internet to research home and car insurance, the AA has found.
Insurers, including the AA, are catering for these technologically minded consumers by offering discounts for online customers.
"Even those who do not have access to a computer often ask computer-literate friends or family to do the searching for them, but complete the deal offline," explained David Tyers, AA Insurance's head of marketing.
He added: "But the number of customers buying online is growing fast.
"About 40 per cent of all new car insurance and about a fifth of home cover is now arranged online."
AA customers can get a 15 per cent discount on their home insurance if they buy online and an average of 12.5 per cent discount for car insurance.
Last year, online sales of car insurance leapt by nearly two-thirds, while internet home insurance sales doubled.
The ability to buy online was also seen as creating greater competition in the marketplace, the AA added.
"The growth of online cover is certainly contributing towards keeping premiums in check," Mr Tyler noted.