DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The Auto Club Group (ACG) - the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest - announced today (February 9) the launch of a new online insurance quote system that allows customers to obtain a competitive, real-time insurance quote any time of the day or night.

"Consumers shop in many ways today, and we keep pace with their preferences by offering multiple channels through which they can purchase AAA- branded products and services," said Steve Monahan, president and COO of the Auto Club Insurance Association (ACIA). "These channels include our call centers, along with our branch network, sales offices and the Internet."

According to Monahan, ACG's new online consumer quote system enhanced current capabilities by allowing a consumer to request and retrieve a real- time quote 24/7. Easy to use and attractively designed, the new online quote application includes a retrieval mechanism that allows the consumer to store a quote for up to six months.

In addition to the storage function, there is a group discount page that can help consumers identify possible savings opportunities, and there is a display of four different coverage packages - minimum, low, medium and high - to present a variety of pricing and coverage options. Also, a quote can be customized to meet any consumer's specific needs.

Obtaining an insurance quote at AAA.com involves a quick and easy 5-step process. The online quote tool collects driver information, driver history, vehicle information, driver/ vehicle assignment and desired coverages.

The very first screen the consumer will see after entering his or her name and address is the group discount page, which has links to various banks, chambers of commerce, credit unions, employer groups and other group affiliations. Each of these pages has a drop-down menu that allows the consumer to easily select his or her group.

The discount applies to all vehicles insured under the policy when at least one household resident belongs to a qualifying group. The discount is automatically applied as part of the quote process.

At AAA, a wide variety of rating discounts are available to qualified policyholders. For example, with two or more vehicles insured, you may qualify for a multiple-vehicle rate. If you insure your car and your home or have life insurance through AAA, you may qualify for additional discounts. If the insured vehicle is equipped with certain anti-theft or safety devices, or if the driver pledges to wear his or her safety belt at all times, even more discounts apply.

To determine whether you qualify for these discounts, it may be necessary to talk to an agent or call 800-AAA-MICH (222-6424).

For consumers who are not familiar with insurance terms such as "Personal Protection," "Residual Liability," or "Uninsured/Under-Insured," the online quote tool offers a coverage guide that explains about No-Fault insurance and mandatory and non-mandatory coverages, enabling the consumer to determine the best coverages for his or her needs.

The AAA.com web portal also provides consumers with the means to find an agent, make online payments, make changes to a policy or even report a claim. It's quick and easy and can be done from the comfort of your own home.

"We are very excited to introduce this great new functionality for our potential customers," said Monahan. "The online quote system allows us to provide one-stop shopping for a growing number of people who use the Internet to gather information before they make their purchasing decisions. And with AAA offering new, competitive pricing, multiple discounts and award-winning claims service, we're sure that decision will be an easy one."

AAA Michigan offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to more than 1.6 million members in Michigan. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with approximately 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization with more than 49 million members in the United States and Canada.

CONTACT: Jim Rink, +1-313-336-1513, or Nancy Cain, +1-313-336-1514, both
of AAA Michigan

Web site: http://www.aaa.com/