March 9, 2015—Google Inc. announced last week that it has launched its price-comparison auto insurance purchasing site, Google Compare, in the U.S., starting in California.
The program allows vehicle owners to browse, compare and purchase auto insurance from national and local carriers through an “apples-to-apples” online comparison that highlights each insurers various offerings, according to the announcement.
This is yet another in a short list of price-comparison auto insurance offerings released in the last year. Walmart launched a similar site last April and many throughout the U.S. industry are concerned about the possible ramifications.
That same month, Jon Parker of the Byteback Group and BodyShop Revolution wrote a FenderBender column that warned of the effects he has witnessed these sites have on the U.K. market.
Google said in its announcement that it plans to roll out the program to more states in the near future.
