The accessibility and ease of the Internet has revolutionized the shopping world. Everything from pet food to furniture is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from the comfort of your home. This includes insurance.

Here are some tips to help you protect yourself when buying insurance on the Internet.

Research Thoroughly

Research is by far your best protection. Fortunately, the Internet is also a great research agent. Determine which insurance coverage best fits your needs, then shop around for companies, agents, cost and coverage.

In order to sell insurance in our state, the company and the agent must be licensed. To confirm the credibility of a company or agent, check with our agency for the following facts:

• Is the company licensed in the state you live in?

• Is the company licensed to sell the line of insurance you are interested in purchasing?

• Is the agent licensed in Washington and a legitimate representative of the company?

• Does the company have a good record of handling policy complaints?

Purchasing on the internet

Once you’ve checked your facts and found the company, agent and policy that suit your needs, you’re ready to purchase. At this point, security is the name of the game. Take some extra precautions to protect your personal information:

• Update your browser. The newer browsers are equipped with more current security measures. (One way to check if you are on a secure site is by checking the address. A secure site address may begin with https:// instead of the usual http://. Or, the site may have a small key or closed lock icon located somewhere in the bottom left or right corner of the screen.)

• If you cannot confirm the security of the browser, contact the company or agent and submit your paperwork via fax or mail.

• Take extra precautions when paying with a credit card. Some credit cards may be equipped with antitheft protections. Review your credit card agreement for antitheft provisions.

The proof is in the paperwork

Insurance "Red Flags"