That doesn't fit the Allstate customer model. They want customers who value service and will pay for it. But Schroeder of PaineWebber believes Allstate and other personal lines insurers will have to jump on the Internet bandwagon eventually. My bet is they'll be selling directly over a toll-free number in two years, and shortly after that, on the Net. Allstate Chairman and CEO Edward Liddy is not persuaded.
Insurance is a different kind of product than, say, blue jeans, or even stock.
You buy a pair of jeans that doesn't fit, you just send it back. If you buy stock over the Net and it performs poorly, you lose the value of your investment. But with insurance, if you don't pick the right coverage, you risk your entire net worth. It makes you question their logic. Maybe they figure, if the ventures don't pan out, at least their stellar brand name won't be tarnished.