California, USA (CU)_ A user-friendly iPhone app has been added to a leading vehicle insurance comparison site to remind people to compare plans before their policy renews. CarInsurance.com has introduced a new iPhone app that notifies drivers when their policy is close to expiring, reminding them to shop around for a better scheme before their coverage renews.
To analyze the interest in the new iPhone app, CarInsurance made a survey with 500 drivers. The findings revealed the following. The survey reported that 61 percent desired a service that would notify them when their insurance coverage was about to expire; 65 percent preferred email to receive such reminders; 17 percent preferred using a phone app; 38% opted for a reminder to shop for a new policy one month ahead of their existing policy renewal date; only 25% of people looked over their insurance when it was time to renew it.
CarInsurance’s senior consumer analyst, Penny Gusner, advised the customers on how to select car insurance plans. He said, “One of the best ways to save on car insurance is by comparison shopping with a car insurance estimator. The ideal time to shop is a few weeks before a policy’s renewal date. However, most people are too busy to remember to review their existing coverage during that timeframe and may not remember their policy’s expiration date. We want to help our audience, and drivers in general, solve this problem by reaching them in a convenient way—on their mobile device—in the way they prefer, through an app and email.”
Drivers can use the CarInsurance.com app to set up a reminder for their auto insurance expiration date. The new app only takes less than 30 seconds to set a remainder. The insurer, the expiration date, and the timeframe are all entered by the customer. When the app is opened, a pop-up alert displays, and a countdown appears, displaying the time left for the renewal. An email will also be sent to the drivers. A reminder shows on the phone’s home screen about 30 days before the expiration date, alerting the user of the upcoming expiration date.
The app also notifies the user with personalized rate quotes based on the profile of the customer. Consumers must answer five to seven questions in order to shop for new vehicle insurance. Then users are provided personalized matches with insurance firms offering coverage in their location.
Experts recommend giving yourself a month’s notice to thoroughly evaluate vehicle insurance firms. Gusner said, “It’s enough time to compare at least three other companies. Consumers can vet the options to make sure it’s the one with the lowest rate, has good customer service, financial strength and a positive claims service.” When planning for a vehicle purchase, drivers should include the cost of insuring a new automobile or purchasing used car insurance. Gusner said, “Part of being able to afford the car is also affording the insurance costs”. The new app is free and does not require a subscription. Gusner said, “There are organizing and calendar apps that people use to keep track of appointments, errands and schedules. But there aren’t many apps that focus on car insurance renewal reminders or provide a convenient way to shop for coverage.”
Consumers may be eligible for a discount from their current insurer or receive a switch offer from a new carrier, both of which may go unnoticed if they were not reminded. While switching insurance carriers is possible at any time, it is always preferable to do so when a current policy is about to renew. CarInsurance intends to develop the app further by including new features and content in response to user feedback, in order to deliver a one-stop smartphone service for vehicle insurance purchases.
The iPhone app is accessible at https://apps.apple.com/us/app/carinsurance-com/id1528763700 in the Apple app store.
