Countrywide Survey Discovers How Americans Shop for Auto
Insurance
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio, Feb. 26 Results of an extensive
countrywide survey by Progressive Insurance show that while people
ages 18 to 34 were more likely to use the Internet to purchase auto insurance
than people ages 35 to 64, an overwhelming majority of consumers
(67.6 percent) bought their current auto insurance policy with a local
insurance agent with an office in their area.
Progressive, the fourth largest auto insurance company in the country,
surveyed more than 31,500 consumers over the phone in 156 markets countrywide
from November to December 2000. Among the findings:
* When asked how they purchased their current auto insurance policy,
67.6 percent of respondents said with a local insurance agent with an
office in the area, 21 percent said directly with an insurance company
over the telephone and just under one percent said directly with a
company over the Internet.
* Respondents ages 18 to 34, however, were significantly more likely to
have purchased auto insurance using the Internet than respondents ages
35 to 64. And, 68.2 percent of respondents ages 35 to 64 said they
purchase their insurance with a local insurance agent -- compared to
66.2 percent of respondents ages 18 to 34.
* Both male and female respondents were more than three times as likely to
purchase their auto insurance from a local insurance agent than purchase
directly from a company over the phone.
How do you currently purchase your auto insurance policy?
Percent
Through a local agent 67.6%
Direct over the phone 21%
Direct online .9%
Other/Don't know 10.5%
18 to 34 35 to 64
Through a local agent 66.2% 68.2%
Direct over the phone 21.7% 20.6%
Direct online 1.4% .7%
Other/Don't know 10.7% 10.5%
Male Female
Through a local agent 67.9% 67.4%
Direct over the phone 21.1% 20.9%
Direct online 1.1% .8%
Other/Don't know 9.9% 10.9%