Brand Loyalty Doesn't Mean Much to Insurance Shoppers

LOS ANGELES – Credit unions interested in selling insurance should note that consumers care more about pricing than brand loyalty. According to a recent Answer Financial Inc. survey, 76% of respondents shop around for the best-priced insurance policy every one to three years. Some 51% price comparison shop one a year and another 25% do so every two to three years. Fifty-six percent of those surveyed had been insured a year or less by their current auto insurance carrier and 37% of homeowner respondents had changed carriers sometime in the past two years. The survey reports that the reason for shopping varied, with 41% seeking to lower costs and 25% shopping around after receiving a rate increase. Only 6% went shopping as a result of their policy being cancelled. Men were more likely to shop frequently – 36% compared with women at 19%. Men also were more likely to use the Internet to shop-67%, compared with women at 16%. Some 33% of respondents felt completely comfortable shopping for insurance and other financial services over the Internet and 49% were somewhat comfortable. However, 85% said if they shopped for insurance on the Internet, they would want to speak to a person before making a purchase. The survey also finds that the majority of Americans are underinsured.