The new Google Compare Auto Insurance website recently opened up to drivers in California and is slated to sell in 26 additional states in the near future. The service is free for users, though Google has said that to run the site they require compensation from participating insurance providers.
The tool offers car insurance shoppers the chance to get quotes from up to 14 companies at once, but currently the Google Compare Auto Insurance site only lists insurers like MetLife, Mercury, 21st Century, Stillwater, Dairyland Auto and a few others. Some big players are noticeably missing from the list (i.e., State Farm, Progressive, Geico, etc.) and sources say they declined to work with Google. Still, if you can get the same coverage for less through a different insurer, it could be worth putting your information out there, which brings us to the next point.
In an age where digital privacy and protecting personal data have become big issues, many consumers fear that the new car insurance comparison site is just a way for Google to collect consumer data and that the information could potentially be misused. In addition, some who tried out the tool in California said the quotes they received did not beat their current rates and that they only got back quotes from about half of the companies - it’s only “up to” 14 as stated above.
Techcrunch.com writer Sarah Perez also speculates, “The comparison site … could be about collecting more information on how the different insurance companies price the same risk. Google can use that information if it wants to underwrite auto insurance itself in the future.”
Google has been using a similar version of its new U.S. site in the United Kingdom since 2012, which includes travel insurance and mortgage quotes in addition to auto coverage. Sources say the U.S. could also get a Google mortgage comparison service just like the U.K.’s, along with the auto insurance tool.
There are a lot of questions here and more to come as the site becomes available in additional states. Stay tuned to find out if it comes to Arizona.
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