5 Warning Signs to Consider When Researching Insurance Quotes Online.

The Internet has a long history as a critical method for promoting, quoting, and selling insurance.

Although online insurance transactions are a normal form of doing business, it remains important to adhere to a bit of age-old advice, "Let the buyer beware."

Securing both ordinary and sensitive information over the Internet has become routine. As online sources have become more ubiquitous, so have pitfalls and dangers. It would be a mistake to assume that the commonplace use of online information and online transactions automatically translates to all online sources being accurate and reliable. The need for insurance consumers to take care when using such information remains important. One major issue is that published information is typically granted a high level of credibility (this includes the information you're currently reading). It is important to be certain of any information before acting on it. Ten different sources of information can give you ten different answers. Therefore, the safest way to use information is to seek and sort through multiple, credible sources instead of fully trusting a single source.

The Internet is an incredible tool. However, it also provides many opportunities for acquiring information that may be misleading or malicious. Questioning sources is crucial, as it is often difficult to verify who has posted the information and whether the source has any expertise in the subject matter. Information may be presented as facts, without justification. There is always the question of who has made the information available, the applicability of the content, and whether a given agenda underlies the information.

In recent years, many safe online sources for online insurance coverage have been created. However, is still important to make sure that a source is legitimate.

5 warning signs to consider when researching insurance quotes online:

1. Is the company name recognizable?

   Information on the Internet from a recognizable company or if the source is clearly identified are indicators that the website is legitimate. The site should include a variety of alternatives for contacting the company or host. It is considered a red flag if the contact information is limited to a single method, such as just an online form, email or single phone number. A narrow contact channel can be controlled by the host and can be a sign of possible malicious intent.

2. Is the content current and relevant?

   Look for dates related to the material offered on a given website. Sites without current dates or any dates at all should be a warning sign. Legitimate information providers make a strong effort to show that their information is up-to-date and relevant to their current products, prices, contacts, and services.

3. Does the site look professional?

   Another warning sign is the aesthetic appearance of a website. A legitimate site should have a solid design and appear professional. Are the images sharp, is the lettering (font) clear and readable? Are there various sections and pages? A website with poor design that looks amateurish is one to avoid.

4. Is the top-level domain legitimate?

   Pay attention to domains. Sources for insurance information are, primarily, businesses and should end with .com. However, you may also run into .edu (college or university sites), .gov, (government website), .net (for network technology providers.), and .org (non-profit websites) NOTE: Individuals can purchase .com, .net, and .org domain names, so take care in automatically accepting legitimacy.

5. Is the content well written?

   Any website that contains grammar and spelling errors is a huge red flag. Credible sites take the time, effort and expense to make sure that the content has been written, edited, and proofread to eliminate errors.

   When seeking information to meet your insurance needs, it's important to discuss your concerns with an expert. Speak with a Williams Agent today to learn more or request a free quote.