A reliable insurer can be found without leaving home
But is there another way? – you will ask. How can you get insurance without coming to the office or calling an agent? You will be surprised – but that's how it's done all over the world.
The main idea of direct insurance, which, surprisingly, originated not in the USA but in Great Britain, is the removal of unnecessary links in the insurance process. These extra links only lengthen the process of obtaining an insurance policy and, what may be even more important, make it much more expensive. The most striking example is the insurance policies sold to you at a car dealership. Although you can choose from several companies there, the essence is the same – it is not an additional service at all. The car dealership, as an intermediary, receives about 40% of the insurance premium you pay. And this, in turn, forces insurance companies, in order not to lose out, to make such policies very, very expensive.
In direct insurance, the client communicates directly with the insurance company – via the Internet or a mobile phone. Absolutely all manipulations with the insurance can be done remotely – choose a suitable option, apply for a policy, even report an insured event! Insurance companies, having gotten rid of unnecessary intermediaries, are able to offer you a much lower insurance cost.
Direct insurance in the territories of the former CIS still has many problems, both legislative and psychological. But the example of Great Britain, where more than 70% of all auto insurance policies for individuals are concluded exactly through the direct insurance scheme, is inspiring. And even if the forecasts of some Russian direct insurers that in five years every fourth policy in the country will be sold 'directly' seem like fantasies for now, it is worth striving for. After all, direct insurance is beneficial for everyone – the client (convenient and cheap) and the insurance company (no expenses for maintaining numerous offices).