Seattle-based insurer Safeco is seriously planning to enter the direct marketing of its auto insurance business over the Internet to reach consumers it isn't reaching.

Michael LaRocco, president and chief operating officer, said the carrier has approached its independent agent partners to field suggestions and get feedback on its plan to try and capture a customer demographic it is failing to access.

“We have made no final decisions,” said Mr. LaRocco. “What we have very seriously decided to do is investigate the possibility of supplementing the independent agency channel with some direct sales, on a very limited basis, of our automobile insurance policies through the Internet.

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