The insurance industry is extremely competitive, with millions of businesses vying for the same customers. Offering premium products and services is simply not enough to stand out and grow your reach. You also need a strong online presence that instills trust while providing a smooth user experience across all channels.
The insurance industry is extremely competitive, with millions of businesses vying for the same customers. Offering premium products and services is simply not enough to stand out and grow your reach. You also need a strong online presence that instills trust while providing a smooth user experience across all channels.
For starters, build a website or optimize the one you already have. This is the public “face” of your business, so you’ll want to ensure it communicates who you are, what you offer, and why someone should choose you over other insurance agencies.
Most importantly, focus on the customer experience. Consider implementing features like quote comparison tools, online calculators, live chat support, and interactive forms to assist buyers in their decision-making process. Also, make sure your site is fast, responsive, and accessible to everyone, including consumers with disabilities.
Feeling overwhelmed? To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of must-have features that could take your insurance website to the next level. Let’s dive in.
Add These Features to Your Website to Increase Insurance Sales
In a 2024 YouGov survey, 51% of global consumers—including 48% of those in the U.S.—reported buying insurance products online. This percentage was even higher in the U.K. (76%), Sweden (67%), Denmark (62%), and Australia (64%).
Some consumers purchase insurance from physical retailers, but they still go online to compare quotes. For example, they may request auto insurance quotes from three or more companies and then pick up the phone to speak with an agent.
The shift toward digital channels has changed how insurance businesses operate, increasing the need for a strong online presence. It all starts with your website, which is often the first point of contact between your brand and potential clients.
Like with most things, it’s the small details that make the difference. Clean navigation, readable fonts, simplified forms, and other minor elements can enhance usability, ensuring a smooth, intuitive experience that drives conversions.
That said, let’s break down the most important features to consider when building an insurance website
1. Instant Quote Calculator
Consumers expect convenience and speed when researching insurance products. With that in mind, add an instant quote calculator on your homepage or landing pages. Users will enter basic information, such as their location, car model, and manufacturing date, to get estimates from multiple insurance carriers.
Keep the form short and simple by asking only for essential details. The goal is to help people get an estimate as quickly as possible, especially since they may access your site from mobile devices.
It’s also a good idea to incorporate progress bars showing users how far along they are in the process. Once the quote is generated, provide clear instructions on what they should do next, such as booking a call with an agent or purchasing the policy.
2. Clean Navigation
In a survey of 6,000 consumers, 37% cited poor navigation as their main reason for leaving an ecommerce website. Even if you don’t sell insurance products online, customers may still leave your site due to bad navigation. The result? A poor user experience, high bounce rates, and missed opportunities.
To prevent these issues, opt for a simple, hierarchical menu with clearly labeled categories like “Insurance Products,” “Claims,” and “Resources.” Consider adding a sticky navigation bar and make sure no page is more than three clicks away from the homepage. Also, use breadcrumbs to help visitors see where they are on your website.
Remember to optimize your navigation for all screen sizes. One solution is adding a horizontal navigation bar or dropdown menus for desktop users and a hamburger menu for mobile users. Include search functionality and intuitive filters so customers can easily find the information they need.
3. Live Chat Support
Potential customers may not be able to call or email you right after getting an estimate. However, they might have questions they want answered on the spot.
For instance, they may want to know whether a specific policy covers rental cars or what discounts you offer for bundled policies. A quick, clear response via live chat could help you move them further down the sales funnel.
Ideally, place your chat widget in the bottom-right corner, making sure it appears on all key pages. Go one step further and implement a chatbot or AI agent to automate common inquiries. Some examples are Salesforce’s Agentforce, Zoho’s Zobot, and Zendesk.
Configure the chatbot to handle basic queries and route complex questions to human agents. You could also set it up to capture leads via live chat so you can contact potential clients later on.
4. Policy Management
Create an online portal where existing customers can manage their policies, update their data, and make payments with just a few clicks. Once logged in, they should be able to:
- View active policies
- Change their billing preferences
- Add or remove beneficiaries
- Fill out and sign documents electronically
- Submit support tickets
- Access their payment history
- Initiate and manage claims
These features can improve their experience and reduce agent workload. Plus, they ensure transparency, allowing customers to view their policies, monthly or annual premiums, and upcoming renewals in real time.
If, say, a client wants to know how much they’re paying for roadside assistance, they can find the answer instantly without having to call your support team. It’s a win-win for everyone.
5. Personalized Content
More than 70% of consumers expect personalized interactions, such as custom offers and website content tailored to their needs. Think of Amazon, Netflix, or other successful brands that personalize their recommendations based on the user’s location, browsing history, and preferences.
Insurance agencies can capitalize on this trend, too. For example, you could serve dynamic content on your website and in email messages. Dynamic content changes based on where customers are located, their online behavior, and the products they’re interested in.
Let’s say you sell auto insurance across multiple states. A consumer who visits your website from Texas will see different blog posts, offers, and legal resources than someone accessing your site from California.
This level of personalization can enhance the user experience and drive engagement. Not only does it ensure your content is relevant to potential clients, but it also helps you attract qualified traffic and increase sales.
6. Social Proof
Insurance is a major purchase, and most consumers won’t purchase a policy from a company they don’t fully trust. That’s why having a professional-looking site isn’t enough to drive sales.
Your website should also instill trust through social proof like customer reviews and testimonials, success stories, case studies, certifications, awards, and similar resources. Display these elements on your homepage and product pages so potential clients can see the value of your offerings.
If your insurance business is new, share your credentials, partnerships, and industry affiliations. For instance, you could mention you’re registered with your state’s insurance department and have several years of experience in the insurance or financial services industry.
Another idea is to connect with journalists via websites like Qwoted, SourceBottle, or Help a Reporter Out (HARO) and share expert insights to get backlinks and media mentions. As your business grows, compile case studies and ask customers for reviews.
As a final word, devise a well-rounded digital marketing strategy to promote your services. Stay active on social media, optimize your website for search engines, and build strategic partnerships with non-competing businesses. You can also host educational webinars, live Q&As, or other virtual events to establish your expertise and credibility.
