Studies show that over 40% of drivers think they’re paying too much for their car insurance. Statistically speaking, of course, we’re taught from a very young age to keep looking for the best deals we can find on our products and services. We learn at our parents’ knee to haggle for a great deal and to never be satisfied with what we’re paying-we can always shave off another 10%! It’s easy to look at these facts and dismiss the idea that today’s insurance companies might actually be taking advantage of us by charging us higher rates (just because they can).

Guess what? 50% of those 40% of drivers are right. Their car insurance rates really are too high. They really are paying much more than they ought to be paying. In fact, they could easily be saving 10-20% on their insurance coverage, but they’re not. Want to know why? Because their car insurance companies are taking advantage of them.

Years and years ago, before the Internet ushered in the age of technology and the need for all of our data sources to be faster, easier, smarter and more convenient, people had to spend weeks searching for car insurance quotes. It usually involved days spent sitting around with agents who would show them what they had to offer, then spend the next hour on and off the phone with their manager while they tried to figure out how low they could go. Exasperation and a need to actually go to work rather than spend their days trying to save a buck drove most shoppers to speak to five to ten agents, then pick the best out of the bunch and call it a day.

What’s more, in a dire effort to not have to repeat their tedious and unsatisfying quotes shopping experience most drivers would find a company they were happy with and offered them car insurance rates that wouldn’t leave moths flying out of their wallet, then stick with them. As long as nothing happened to rock the boat many drivers would stay with the same insurance providers for decades, a move most of these companies would like to attribute to brand loyalty but which many drivers will testify was simple self preservation.

Insurance companies have been taking advantage of that loyalty. A recent study showed that car insurance rates have been falling recently, and that insurance providers are issuing new policies at the lowest rates drivers have seen all year. At the same time, those same insurers are forcing their loyal drivers to pay more to renew their policies in the belief that they won’t bother shopping around for another company and therefore are never going to find out about it.

Oh, how wrong they really are.

The Internet has changed the way people do just about everything, and that includes shopping for car insurance quotes. Thanks to online quote finders and the convenient instant quote features on most company websites drivers can do in minutes what would have taken them weeks or even months not too long ago-compare quotes from insurance providers from all over the country. The ease and convenience of shopping for insurance on the web has not only helped drivers get a better deal on their car insurance, it’s also showing them that it pays to shop around before signing their renewal papers. Chances are, they’re going to get a better deal coming in as a new customer somewhere else!

Has your car insurance company been taking advantage of you? There’s no way for us to know for certain, but isn’t it time you found out?