With the convenience of the Internet, finding Florida car insurance online is a simple process. Since Florida is second only to California in relocations, insurance needs vary as many drivers have come from other states. This makes shopping for car insurance online even more important for those transferring their coverage. Here are some tips that can help you use the internet to find the car insurance that you need whether you are relocating, or have always lived in Florida.

Florida Car Insurance Online: Check Each Company’s Website

Florida requires that all drivers carry FL car insurance. Florida is a no fault state which means that it does not matter who is at fault in an accident when it comes to insurance. Each party involved in the accident will use their own insurance company to pay for the damages. Because of this, you want to find a car insurance company that has an easy to access website with quick features.

When shopping online for Florida car insurance, it is important to check out the website features of the prospective companies you are considering. Websites can tell you a lot about how a company operates and what is important to them. The homepage of a website should have the most important information easily visible and accessible.

For example, when you go to a company’s website, you should be able to see the name of the company, address, and phone number in a prominent place. If you have to go to additional pages or search for this information, this may be a company that doesn’t want to be contacted easily. A company that welcomes questions and communication will make this information readily accessible.

Another item that should be easily visible is the company’s online quote system. This system will allow you to type in basic information about yourself, your vehicle, your driving history, and the coverage you are seeking. Once the information is collected the company will give you a response. Some companies provide an instant response while others e-mail their response within 24-48 hours.

You should also check out the website’s claim system. Though you are not a customer yet and will not be able to go all the way through the process, the access should be easy to find. A company’s home page should have an easy to find link to their claim processing center. Having access to this online will allow you, as a customer, to file a claim 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Another important feature you should check for is the product section. A good company will have a list of products on the homepage or an easy to find link to a page that lists its product. Many companies offer more than just individual car insurance policies. Some companies offer additional types of insurance so seeing all products together will give you a better idea of what to expect.

Online Florida Car Insurance: Check Each Company’s Credibility

Just because a company has an appealing website with important information does not mean that it is a strong company. You will need to do additional research to make sure a company is trustworthy and has a strong reputation. It is important to know that an auto insurance company will be able to help you with a claim and fulfill their financial obligations when necessary.

One way to do this is to check a company’s financial stability rating through an independent rating company. Two prominent companies are Standard and Poor’s and A.M. Best. Through these company’s websites, you can check a Florida car insurance company’s financial stability rating. Ratings range from AAA to fail. The higher a company’s rating the more stable it is. Ratings are broken into categories to give you the best information.

You can also go to the Florida Department of Insurance and check if a company is licensed with the state. Florida will only license companies that have met specific regulations. Florida’s Chief Financial Officer passed a law that allows consumers to file legal action against a fraudulent company should you find yourself working with a company that does not meet its obligations.

Another way to check if a company is reputable is to ask friends and family. If you are looking for a car insurance company, ask people you trust who they use and what their experience has been. If someone has filed a claim with a company and the claim has come through, you can trust the company to do the same for you. Word of mouth is still one of the main ways companies receive more business.

A third way to check a company’s status is through your local Better Business Bureau. This can be done online or by calling your local bureau. The BBB collects complaints about companies and list those complaints publically. It also lists what was done by the company, if anything, to resolve those complaints. It is important to remember that some complaints are from angry customers so take the overall idea of the complaints into consideration.

Florida Car Insurance Online: Check Around

Florida car insurance rates fluctuate greatly. After a steady increase over the last year, rates are now down 13% in the state putting Florida car insurance rates below the national average for the first time in several years. Because of this, it is a great time to shop around for insurance even if you have been with the same company for a while.

Some people stay with their FL car insurance company just because it is already set up and convenient. However, shopping around is one of the best ways to save money on insurance and to find the best deal out there. Shopping around is convenient online. You can go to several websites, collect information and compare.

To save even more time, you can an unaffiliated comparison rate device like ours to compare rates and quotes from top companies. Shopping for Florida car insurance online can lead you to the company that works best with your insurance needs. Get started finding the best Florida car insurance today!