Walmart in deal with online car insurance site

Bentonville, Ark. – Walmart is adding car insurance to its lineup of consumer services. The retailer said it is partnering with AutoInsurance.com, which helps customers comparison shop for auto insurance, to provide customers with "a one stop shop" for their auto insurance needs.



The site allows consumers to look at prices at several insurance companies, including Progressive and Esurance (owned by Allstate), and contrast them with their current insurance.



The service is already available in eight states — Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas — and Walmart plans a nationwide rollout in the coming months.



Walmart will promote the AutoInsurance.com website in its stores, and receive a monthly fee in return, while AutoInsurance.com will collect commissions when insurance is sold on its site. Customers will also be able to access the site from Walmart’s own web site.



“Our business is driven by a commitment to taking products and services that are complex and pricey – and making them easy and affordable,” said Daniel Eckert, senior VP of services for Wal-Mart U.S. “Our customers too often have to settle for auto insurance policies that aren’t the best fit and cost more than they want to spend. With AutoInsurance.com, we’re helping our customers in Tennessee save money on one of their largest household expenses in a new, quick and easy way.”