Smart Auto Insurance Blog

According to the press release “The Hartford Tops Ranking of Auto Insurance Web Sites” found on Business Wire, Hartford Auto Insurance has one of the most user-friendly websites.

The Hartford Financial Services Group, INC, announced recent research put forth by Change Sciences Group, which gives their website top marks for consumer use.  The study looked at ease-of-use, content quality, the use of social media, and persuasiveness compared with the top 17 auto insurance companies.  Based on this information, this would be an easy site to use to get quotes on auto insurance as well as purchase a policy. 

Pam Pavliscak, a partner at Change Sciences Group says The Hartford scored the best in the research because the site requires lower user effort and simultaneously providing valuable information.  They practice hyper usability, which is working to ease the burden of entering data and navigating the site.  They provide the appropriate information at the right time, making it easier for consumers to get through the site with ease.  Hartford Auto Insurance prioritizes the improvement of their online presence because they realize how important it is to an overall successful insurer.

JD Power’s 2009 National Auto Insurance Study offers auto insurance provider ratings for a wide variety of insurers such as Encompass Car Insurance.  Encompass rated average which is good considering it’s a smaller company.

In the category of overall satisfaction, Encompass ranked average.  The category of contacting the insurer also ranked average.  Policy offerings received two stars which is the second to worst rating to receive.  Billing payment was considered average and pricing received two stars.  Overall the company achieved an average ranking.

It’s convenient that JD Power is ranking smaller companies, but other smaller insurers such as Dairyland Insurance are not included in the ranking report.  You can still receive reviews on these smaller companies through review websites or the Better Business Bureau.  As you shop around for car insurance you want to consider how other people view their experience with the company.  Price is obviously very important but you need to understand what you are getting for the price quoted.

Nationwide Auto Insurance ranked well in JD Power’s recent report ranking various auto insurance companies across the nation.  The 2009 National Auto Insurance Study awarded Amica Mutual as the highest ranked, but it’s important to know how well your specific carrier ranked.

Nationwide received an average ranking in all categories except pricing where it ranked slightly below average.  Pricing is very customer specific though so getting a quote is still very much worth your time.  In the other categories of overall satisfaction, contacting the insurer, policy offerings, and billing & payment they are considered average.

View more detailed reporting on JD Power’s website, but note that JD Power Consumer Center Ratings may not include all of the information used to figure JD Power and Associates Awards. Using this type of report can be extremely helpful as you get various quotes from auto insurance companies.