We can find almost anything we need online these days, can’t we? From the ability to receiving pet food and treats through a monthly subscription to researching, applying for, and getting a car loan, we can do it with an internet connection and a keyboard. But some things really do require a personal touch and individual contact.
Just ask Google who announced on February 22 that they will end their experiment known as Google Compare, less than a year before they’d begun. It was supposed to be a place for people to find auto insurance rates, credit cards, and mortgages. As of March 23, both the U.S. and UK Google Compare sites will no longer exist.
When Google Compare first came on the market, the insurance world cringed. Some people thought this was the end of the insurance as we know it. A few experts even claimed that 10,000 agents would be out of a job. With Google getting out of the insurance market, citing their lack of success, it proves yet again that independent agents offer something that an automated quote engine just can’t – the knowledge and relationship of a trusted advisor.
Although some insiders say the timing of the announcement isn’t unusual as Google will often go through a “spring cleaning” of products that don’t perform to expectations, it should also be noted that several things went wrong for Google Compare. The site failed to attract large insurance companies like Allstate and Progressive. They also only launched in four states when they’d predicted they’d be in more than 20 by this point.
What Google failed to understand, and what a recent report by the Deloitte Center for Financial Services shows is that 83 percent of small businesses are satisfied with their insurance agent. Even more telling is that the vast majority of auto insurance policies are completed with the help of an agent – even with all of the online options available. Getting the right auto policy is too important to leave to an internet automation system.
When you’re ready to update or change your auto insurance policy or if you’re purchasing a new policy for your business or yourself, you need to work with someone who understands your options and can help you find the best coverage for your needs. Here at Charlotte Insurance, we have the knowledge, skill, and dedication to help you do just that. We can answer all of your questions and help you find the right coverages for you.