How to buy a new or used car, and how to do an Auto Insurance Quotes Online without being cheated. Unfortunately, there are many internet companies that manage to fool customers, but also some websites that are false sales. This will guide you what to check before you buy a car, and how to make an auto insurance quotes online.
Get No-Hassle Auto Insurance Quotes Online
If you want to get the best coverage for the lowest rates, it pays to shop around and get auto insurance quotes!
The quickest and easiest way to browse for the best priced policy is to go online for quotes. Many websites offer you the capability of comparing prices and features from multiple top companies in order to find the cheapest rates.
In fact, many government websites suggest that you compare quotes to find cheaper rates, because each insurer offers unique rates and different benefits. By comparing companies, you can choose the policy best suited to your needs at the lowest price.
When you comparison shop online for auto insurance, you are able to instantly see the prices and benefits of various companies side-by-side.
- Before beginning your comparison shopping for online auto insurance quotes, here are some things to have handy:
Driver’s name
Driver’s age and birth date
Vehicle’s VIN
Current mileage and estimated annual mileage of vehicle
Vehicle’s year, make, and model
Location where vehicle is stored at night/address of owner
Some auto insurance companies ask for your Social Security number and/or Drivers License number. However, many reputable companies do not require this information for a quote, believing that if you provide truthful information for the information noted above, you will receive an accurate quote.
Not being asked to provide sensitive, personal data helps to lessen the risk of identity theft. So, whenever possible, obtain your online car insurance quotes from a company who doesn’t ask you for that information.
There are 5 things to look for when shopping online for auto insurance and comparing quotes:
- One of the most important factors for most people is price. Side-by-side comparison shopping is a good way to see at a glance which companies are affordable, thus narrowing your choices.
- Check out the financial stability and A. M. Best rating of an insurer. Ratings range from A+ or A++ all the way down to C. Obviously, the higher the rating, the better and more stable the company.
- To find out the quality of an insurer’s customer service, pick up the phone and call the customer service number. This will give you an idea of what kind of customer service to expect as a policyholder.
- Check with the BBB Online or similar service to see if the insurer has had excessive complaints filed by consumers.
- Licensing is important. Carriers admitted in the state in which they’re soliciting insurance offer a much higher degree of protection to policyholders. In the event that an insurer becomes unable to pay out claims, a fund kicks in as a back up source.
Shopping online for auto insurance is the fastest, most timesaving and economical method of getting the coverage you need. You can also get a lot of valuable information about auto insurance online. If there are things you want to know about various aspects of car insurance, many online carriers have comprehensive details that will answer almost any question you might have.
Once you have compared auto insurance quotes and selected a company, you simply purchase your auto insurance on the spot… print your receipt… and you’re covered! It’s that easy!
Scams To Check For When Purchasing Car on Craigslist
If you’re looking to purchase your next vehicle online, watch out for scammers. Craigslist.org is an extremely useful site, but the platform sometimes sees the seedy underbelly of the Internet rear its ugly head. And you could be out some serious money. Many people have been taken advantage of due to e-commerce, and we want you to buy a car online safely. Trust your intuition, do your homework, and watch out for these seven common scams.
The eBay Transaction Services Scam
EBay Transaction Services does not exist. The ads on Craigslist look legitimate, and are usually fairly priced older vehicles. The “seller” often tells the person they’re about to scam that they’d like to insure the car’s purchase through this fictional service. Word to the wise? Don’t wire anyone money if you haven’t seen the product.
The Classic Car Scam
One of the most common ways to scam people is through the promise of a “classic” car. If you respond to an ad for one of these beauties, watch out for an email from the seller explaining an overseas move. The “seller” (read: scammer) will insist on an escrow service, and you’ll be out the purchase money with no car to show for it. Refuse to close any transactions before putting your eye on the vehicle.
The $3,600 Honda Scam
This scam was busted wide open, and is similar to the eBay Transaction Services Scam. The “seller” wanted the buyer to purchase a car off of Craigslist through the eBay Vehicle Purchase Program. Although the name sounds legitimate, the “seller” attempted to pressure the “buyer” (a known scam-buster) into a quick purchase. If someone is inciting you to immediate action and continually asks for your payment details and personal information, there’s probably something amiss.
The Non-Existent Car Scam
One scam-buster found an advertisement with vague pictures of a non-existent Honda Accord. The list price was fair, but there were some suspicious looking elements to the ad. Don’t get scammed because you don’t do your research; if an ad looks sketchy, it probably is.
The Lemon Scam
Even if you buy a car from a legitimate seller, make sure that you run a vehicle history report. One man bought a Ford Ranger for $4,500, and thought he had received a great deal. On the drive home from the purchase, a service light came on. Just miles later, the buyer’s new car completely broke down. He received no help from the seller (“All sales are final”), and had to spend thousands on repairs.
The Fake Check Scam
Sometimes the buyers bite back, and come up with scams of their own. In a common Craiglist scam, buyers will send a legitimate-looking check or money order for an amount higher than the selling price. Once they “realize” their mistake, they’ll ask to be sent or wired the extra money. During this time, they will also arrange to have the car picked up, but they’ll never do it in person. Your car and your money can be gone in a flash. Sellers! Watch out for these bogus buyers.
The No-Test-Drive Scam
If you’re buying a car on Craigslist, make sure that you can put your eyes on it before you hand over your dough. And better than that, make sure to take your future car for a test drive. Many people have been scammed by buying bogus cars with faulty titles and vehicle histories, and you don’t want to be among the bunch. Better safe than sorry, as you don’t want to end up a cautionary tale.
