Cost Is What Counts For Auto Insurance Buyers
NU Online News Service, Aug. 27, 3:47 p.m. EDT?Some drivers have no idea what auto accident coverage they have, and cost is the main consideration when car owners buy auto insurance, according to a wide-ranging online motorists poll performed for Allstate.
The information was contained in the survey, "You Are What You Drive," conducted for the Northbrook, Ill.-based insurer by Roper ASW in 2,500 online interviews with car owners between Aug. 8 and Aug. 15. Many of the questions dealt with where, when and how people drove their vehicles.
According to Allstate, the survey found 64 percent of respondents said cost is their top consideration in buying insurance, while 28 percent mentioned reputation of the company as most influential.
When purchasing a car and factoring in auto insurance cost, however, only 16 percent said cost was an important consideration, the survey found.
Seventeen percent of those surveyed said that they had "no clue" what their insurance would cover in case of an accident, according to the insurer.
The survey also revealed some contradictory attitudes. Ninety percent of those surveyed said they believed they were "safe" drivers, and 79 percent classed themselves as "cautious" drivers, but 33 percent admitted to being "fast" drivers, and many said they had "raced" with other drivers at least once.
Twenty-two percent said that, within the past five years, they had driven after consuming three or more alcoholic drinks.
Seventy-nine percent of those surveyed said they used the car for errands. Grocery shopping was mentioned by 74 percent, and 60 percent said they drove to work. Seventy-five percent said they had not taken a road trip in the past year that lasted longer than one day and 63 percent said they had never taken a driving excursion that lasted more than six hours, said Allstate.
Nine out of 10 drivers said they were annoyed by tailgating, and by drivers who threw trash or failed to use signals.
Eighty-four percent of those surveyed said they were very annoyed by motorists who drove slowly in the passing lane, and another 83 percent mentioned drivers who "weave in and out of traffic."
Other behavior that irked drivers included hogging the road, riding the brakes, and talking on a cellphone, the survey said.
Twenty-six percent of those surveyed said they love their car and nine percent said their vehicle was the "center of my life."
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