Getting online life insurance vs. using life insurance agents

The Internet has given rise to a new breed of online buyers who are not only tech-savvy but are also "smart" shoppers, giving way to new trends in consumer purchasing. This holds true for the insurance industry as well. Seeking the ease and convenience of online purchasing, consumers are showing a greater interest in using insurance aggregator websites and social media networks to meet their purchase objectives. Because more consumers are performing their own online research, comparing options and quotes, and seeking recommendations and referrals through online social media sites, marketing strategies today are putting a great emphasis on the "empowered buyer".

According to a leading survey, the top concerns of consumers when purchasing life insurance is:

• Choosing an insurance provider that is able to resolve problem speedily
• The ability of a life insurance provider to offer insurance products and services that specifically meets their needs.
• Competitive pricing and price transparency

About 55 percent of those who responded to the survey said they are interested in using aggregator insurance websites that gave them quote comparison charts so that they could evaluate products from different life insurance companies. According to a separate survey, the majority said they purchased life insurance to cover funeral costs, living expenses and their children’s future education costs. Younger Americans, who are seen to be more interested in purchasing insurance online, look at life insurance to cover a wide range of needs.

However despite the rise in Internet usage, many still prefer to use life insurance agents to process their life insurance policies. There are pros and cons to each side that must be considered.

The Advantages of a Life Insurance Agent

• Many people find life insurance very complex and prefer face-to-face help when purchasing life insurance. This gives them opportunity to ask relevant questions and find out which policy would best suit their interests.
• Many people find a sense of security knowing that if and when they need to make modifications to their policy, or file a claim they would prefer to see the friendly face of their life insurance agent who is familiar to them.

The Disadvantages of a Life Insurance Agent

• A life insurance agent has a smaller portfolio of insurance companies than a life insurance aggregator website.
• Since life insurance agents are commission-based, an agent tends to be biased to products that offer him/her a higher commission. Agents are known for tough selling whole life insurance policies because that’s where they get the greater commission.
• Some life insurance agents can be aggressive in their sales tactics, putting buyers "off".

The Advantages of Online Life Insurance

• Aggregator life insurance websites offer a wealth of helpful information about life insurance that empowers buyers to make a wise decision. Consumers are able to help themselves to the information they require and make independent decisions without being influenced by an agent.
• An online life insurance purchase is quick, convenient and private.
• Because there are less administrative costs and commissions, buying life insurance online can save you up to 70 percent on certain policies.
• There is no obligation to purchase and no pestering salesman!
• Many websites offer a "personal" touch through their customer service consisting of licensed life insurance professionals who are ready to answer any of your queries on life insurance.

The Disadvantages of Online Life Insurance

• There are several scam websites that can lead you astray. They attract buyers by offering the cheapest term life insurance quotes and then, once the underwriting process is over, raise the premiums exorbitantly. Either you accept the higher premium rating or return the policy for a refund and cancellation of the policy. You can avoid being scammed by using only aggregator websites that are accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• There is no face-to-face interaction between the life insurance company and the consumer.

Whether you choose to buy from an agent or buy life insurance online it is important to have a policy in place.

Most Americans believe that having a life insurance policy is very important and critical for the family’s financial health and financial future. If you don’t have a life insurance policy in place already, now is the time to consider buying cheap term life insurance that would protect your family against the uncertainties of life. It’s a good idea to compare life insurance rates you get from your agent as against the rates you find through reliable online aggregator websites.

Conclusion

Life insurance is not "sold" but bought. This means the decision of which policy to choose, how much coverage to buy is made by the consumer. The purchase experience is all about educating the consumer and allowing him/her to make an informed decision regarding the kind of product that best suits his purpose.

About AccuQuote:
AccuQuote is a leader in providing term life quotes to people across the United States. In 1986 it began operating with a single goal: to make the process of buying term life insurance as easy as possible for its customers. Their experienced professionals consistently deliver the most affordable term life insurance rates by comparing thousands of life insurance policies from dozens of top-rated carriers.