The internet gives us a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips. Because of it, we can research anything within seconds and connect with people we might have had trouble doing 20 or 30 years ago.

Unfortunately, some people use their online capabilities to exploit and scam innocent people.

Over the years, scammers have become extremely skilled at what they do. It can be difficult to recognize what’s real and what’s not, especially when it comes to the insurance industry. Finding the right policy for you can be difficult regardless, but making sure the policy is legitimate can be a challenge of its own.

So, how can you recognize an online insurance scam?

There are several ways you might be able to spot an insurance scam, but here are some of the most common red flags.

It’s Too Good to Be True

If it seems too good to be true, it usually is. If you receive a particularly low price or good deal, continue researching to see what other carriers are quoting for the same coverage. If the quote you received is nowhere near the industry standard or average, it’s probably worth investigating its legitimacy.

There’s a Sense of Urgency

Does it seem like you’re being pressured to decide immediately or you might lose out on an amazing offer? It should raise suspicions if you feel like you’re being rushed to finalize payment or paperwork. Scammers use this tactic in the hopes that pressured consumers will overlook suspicious elements and not take the time to investigate the offer further.

It’s important to note that cash-only transactions or asking for a specific form of payment is also a cause for concern. Legitimate agents and companies take multiple forms of payment and will never urge you to use one over the other.

There Are Inconsistencies in Documents

If documents are sent throughout your online conversation, check for mistakes, inconsistencies, or inaccuracies. This can range from spelling and grammatical errors to incorrect word choices or date inconsistencies (i.e., 4/1/2023 on one page vs. 01/04/2023 on another). Individuals often overlook these mistakes when they feel pressured by a sense of urgency is created.

Use of Strange Email Addresses

Free services, such as Gmail or AOL, are accessible to everyone and easy for online scammers to sign up for and use. When you’re talking to a reputable insurance agent or company, they will use their business account rather than a personal email. If an insurance agent is contacting you, it should be from an organization email, such as patrickgambale@nullallstate.com.

Lack of Physical Presence or Offices

While many businesses choose to operate solely online these days, most insurance agencies still have a physical office for consumers to visit for meetings, inquiries, issues, and so on. If you cannot find any information regarding a physical address, it should raise a red flag about the legitimacy of the agency or agent you’re speaking with.

While you should look out for agencies with an online presence but no physical presence, you should also look out for those that lack a digital presence. With how the internet has grown over the past few decades, it’s almost impossible to not find information about a company online.

When it comes to the insurance industry especially, online reviews from customers are crucial when attracting new clientele. If you’re unable to find any kind of digital footprint, it’s a likely scam.

Wrong Service Area

Many insurance agents and companies cover specific areas and refrain from selling policies outside of those areas. If someone claims to be from a specific agency, research and verify that they’re even able to sell a policy to you or others in your area.

Missing or Inconsistent Phone Numbers

When selling insurance, it’s a lot easier to have an initial phone call with consumers to find out what they’re looking for as well as what might be the best fit for them.

Legitimate agents and agencies will have their phone number listed everywhere they can, i.e., in their email signature, website, social media pages, and so on. If someone is trying to sell you insurance, but doesn’t have their phone number listed anywhere or is impossible to reach on the phone, it should raise concern.

If a phone number is listed, check the area code. Personal cell phones might be out of state, which can be understandable, but business numbers should always be in-state. If an agent gives you their number, cross-reference with their website, social media pages, or business listing. If the numbers don’t match, it could be a scam.

If you’re located in Stuart, FL, don’t research “independent insurance agency near me” and risk getting scammed. Contact the Gambale Insurance Group directly and work with our experienced team.

We are the fastest-growing independent insurance agency on the Treasure Coast, so come see why so many residents call us their insurance agent!