Answer:  Over 1/3 of consumers say they don’t shop around for car insurance (despite the gecko imploring us to do so and car insurance companies spending billions to persuade us to switch!)

From Forbes:

A recent survey conducted for insuranceQuotes.com determined that the average U.S. driver has not changed insurance companies in 12 years, with about a quarter of them staying with the same carrier for more than 16 years. Thirty percent of drivers say they compare quotes every few years, while a stunning 36 percent never bother to look for the best rates.

As for who is least likely to switch…

The survey found that millennials and senior citizens are the least likely among all demographic groups to shop around for auto insurance. What’s more, 46 percent of motorists in the U.S. confessed to not knowing they can change their auto insurance carriers at any time. “Even if you paid for six months or a year of insurance upfront, the company will reimburse you if you choose to switch,” explains Adams.

Why do your students think people may be so hesitant to shop around?

About the Author

Tim Ranzetta

Tim's saving habits started at seven when a neighbor with a broken hip gave him a dog walking job. Her recovery, which took almost a year, resulted in Tim getting to know the bank tellers quite well (and accumulating a savings account balance of over $300!). His recent entrepreneurial adventures have included driving a shredding truck, analyzing executive compensation packages for Fortune 500 companies and helping families make better college financing decisions. After volunteering in 2010 to create and teach a personal finance program at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Tim saw firsthand the impact of an engaging and activity-based curriculum, which inspired him to start a new non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance.

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