If you are in need of car insurance, you have three main options: shop online, visit a local insurance dealer, or use a broker. Here are some of the main pros and cons of choosing to shop online for your car insurance policy.

Pro: Access to Online Support

A great benefit to shopping around online for car insurance instead of going to a local insurance office is that you can often get immediate support without having to wait until the office opens. You might have a question about SR-22 insurance if you have gotten a DUI, or you are confused about what is covered under a certain policy. You might also need suggestions when you are really struggling between comprehensive or full coverage insurance. These and many other questions can be answered by an online support representative through online chat.

Con: You Might Need to Call In

While many questions can be answered online and you can often find the information you need without assistance, there are some issues that need to be answered on the phone. If you're lucky, you won't be sitting on the phone for too long. While this can be a disadvantage, as you want instant access to your questions, it might still be more convenient than visiting a local insurance dealer. Since online insurance carriers must cater to people in different time zones, their phone numbers are sometimes open at all hours.

Pro: You Get Insured Right Away

Another benefit to shopping online has to do with the convenience of doing everything from home. You can choose the day and time when you want to purchase your policy, as opposed to having to leave work or spend your Saturday in an insurance office. There are no wait times and no lines, so you can take your time and purchase the policy once you are sure you have chosen the right one. If the only time you can shop for car insurance is in the evening after work or on a Sunday, you don't need to worry about whether or not the insurance office is open or the insurance broker is available. You can also print your insurance cards right there and be covered instantly.

Con: You Have to do the Research

When you get your car insurance policy online, you are doing most of the work and the comparisons yourself. An insurance broker would help you decide on the best policy and help you weigh the pros and cons, but buying insurance online leaves the majority of the work up to you. If you have a complicated insurance situation, you might not want to buy it online without additional help.

For more information, hop online and start doing research, or talk with an auto insurance representative, like those at Kirby Soar Insurance.