Nov. 02--Illinois' newest car insurance agent: Google.
Earlier this year the search giant introduced an online comparison tool -- Google Compare -- in its home state of California. It has since rolled out to more states, including Illinois.
Google.com/compare provides quotes from insurers including Liberty Mutual, First Chicago Insurance Services, MetLife, Elephant Auto Insurance, General Insurance, Freedom National, Titan Insurance and Safe Auto.
Some of the biggest carriers, including State Farm, Geico, Allstate and Progressive, aren't participating.
Google and Apple are already considered potential threats to the car insurance industry on other fronts. Google has a driverless car program, an advancement that could help reduce the number and severity of accidents. And smartphones are increasingly being used in car insurers' existing driver-monitoring programs, a development that raises questions about who controls the data that the devices gather.
Google Compare, which is free to use, receives commissions and fees from participating carriers. It works not as an insurer but as an agent of the insurer.
Google Compare is quick with quotes after users answer a series of questions. Quotes are given almost immediately. Geico claims 15 minutes with its site could save shoppers 15 percent, while Esurance, a unit of Northbrook-based Allstate, says it provides quotes in 7.5 minutes.
Phone numbers and "buy online" links are included via Google Compare.
What does Google Compare not provide? It does not say using its website guarantees that insurance offered by participating carriers has the best terms or lowest rates.
Allstate's car insurance aggregation website, Answer Financial, provides quotes from about 30 companies, including Esurance, Progressive, Hartford and MetLife.
byerak@tribpub.com
