Best Automobile Insurance Phone Apps

These days, it seems there's an app for everything, from finding restaurants to launching goats. Many automobile insurance companies are jumping on the technology bandwagon and offering their customers a way to access their policies online. Here we review a few of these applications.

InsPost
While InsPost isn't affiliated with a specific car insurance company, it may be used by many. Often when you're involved in a car accident, you're flustered, and finding a pen and paper is often next to impossible. This BlackBerry application allows you to download a Accident Claims Reporting App, take photos of car damage when in a collision, and record the other party's insurance information in five steps.

State Farm's Pocket Agent
State Farm wants to make managing a policy easier for its automobile insurance policyholders. The company's iPhone app makes it simple for customers to access account information, contact an agent, file a claim and record details of an accident. The service has an added bonus: the ability to search for hotels, gas stations, tow trucks and locksmiths, as well as a State Farm agent finder.

GEICO Glove Box
GEICO offers a similar iPhone application to its customers. In addition to providing account access and claims assistance, GEICO's Glove Box offers:
• Videos
• How-tos
• Roadside assistance at the touch of a finger
GEICO's Glove Box is just one of many insurance apps available.

Nationwide Mobile
Nationwide offers an car accident toolkit to help automobile insurance customers understand what they need to do after being involved in a collision. You can also easily contact emergency services or get a tow truck. The iPhone and iPod Touch app even lets you locate a Nationwide Blue RibbonSM Repair Facility, which can save you time from searching a phone book or looking online.

USAA Mobile
If you're a USAA customer, you will also have access to an accident checklist on your iPhone app, as well as access to your car insurance policy. This application can also help you find a car rental facility in the event you are stranded and in need of transportation.

Help I Crashed My Car
This BlackBerry application allows you to instantly contact up to 3 family members, your insurance company and a body shop with one click. If you're injured, this feature will come in handy. The app works with your phone's GPS system to help you find police, hospitals and rental facilities in the area where you have your accident.

MINI Road Assist
This application, designed by Allstate Roadside Services, is available for MINI owners with either iPhones or BlackBerries. It allows the user to perform a variety of tasks surrounding problems that occur when driving, such as:

• Reporting an accident
• Reaching roadside assistance for a dead battery or flat tire
• Contacting a locksmith if locked out of the vehicle

Rather than searching for a provider of roadside assistance or waiting on hold with the automobile insurance company, Road Assist gets what the driver needs with just a click of a button or tap of the finger.

TrackIT
While this is more of an overall vehicle maintenance record application for the BlackBerry, it also stores automobile insurance information. TrackIT serves as a one stop storage for your vehicle maintenance schedule, mileage, fuel expenses and car insurance. If you drive more than one vehicle, you can manage each vehicle under its own profile. This comes in handy if you are required to report business use of a vehicle for reimbursement.

More to Come
As automobile insurance companies see the value in providing their customers with cell phone applications, we will see more and more appear. That's good news for you: each application strives to provide value to keep you as a policyholder. Look for increased functionality and benefits to those who download and use these phone apps.
Not sure if your car insurance company offers an app? Check its website or call your insurance agent to find out if there is an app available for your type of phone.