Sometimes, it pays to be a loyal customer. Airline miles, loyalty reward points, anniversary freebies, the coveted platinum membership tier — all of these incentives are designed to keep you committed to your favorite brands. But loyalty is typically a one-way street when it comes to car insurance.
“Insurance companies are there to make money,” says Michael DeLong, a research and advocacy associate for the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America. “They’re not your friend, despite the cute mascots they have.” DeLong advises not to hesitate to shop around for better deals because, in most cases, your insurance company isn’t loyal to you.
However, only 26% of vehicle owners in the United States say they shop for car insurance at least once a year, according to a 2023 NerdWallet survey.
Here are three signs it’s time to swipe left on your current car insurance company.