How Auto Insurance Web Sites are Leveling the Playing Field by Playing It Straight with Consumers; New Research by Change Sciences Ranks Auto Insurance Web Sites Based on the Consumer Experience

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--Feb. 1, 20065, 2006--New research released today by Change Sciences Group, the leading online financial services benchmarking firm, shows that a handful of auto insurance sites are working hard to demystify rates, discounts, and claims in an effort to win consumer trust and new business. "A dramatic gap is opening up between carriers that get it and those that are still struggling to make it easy on consumers," said Steve Ellis, a Change Sciences partner.

The research, covering 24 sites, identifies a number of trends relevant to carriers and consumers alike:

-- Three sites are letting consumers compare their rates with other carriers. One makes it really easy to do so.

-- Three sites are taking steps to help the consumer understand how much coverage he might actually need.

-- Half the sites are presenting some information about the things that affect a person's rate. Of these only four are doing it well.

-- Two sites are working to clearly communicate with prospects about how they handle claims.

In spite of these trends, sites still have a long way to go when it comes to executing well on online business fundamentals like making it easy to get a quote and buy a policy online.

-- 80% of sites offer an online rate quote.

-- 90% of those sites, including those that are ranked highly in the research overall, still have significant room to improve when it comes to making it easy to get a rate quote online.

-- Only 40% of sites allow a consumer to follow through on a quote and buy the policy online.

-- 65% of the sites that do allow consumers to buy online don't make the process as easy as it could be.

The top three sites are:

1. Progressive

2. 21st Century

3. State Farm

Other sites covered in the research include: AARP The Hartford, AIG, AIG Direct, Allstate, American Family Insurance, Amica, Automobile Club of Southern California, Electric Insurance, Esurance, Farmers, Fireman's Fund, GEICO, GMAC, The Hartford, Liberty Mutual, MetLife, Nationwide, Safeco, St Paul Travelers, Unitrin Direct, and Washington Mutual.

For more information about this and other Change Sciences research visit: http://www.changesciences.com/d/research.html

About Change Sciences

Change Sciences was founded in January 2000 to help companies optimize online business by basing decisions on how people use technology while they live, work, and play.