How to Spot a Fake Insurance Website or Ad

Things to Look for to Identify a Fake Insurance Website or Ad

• Look at the URL for signs of maliciousness

• Pay attention to design inconsistencies or flaws

• Be wary of urgent language or too-good-to-be-true deals

• Consider the age of a website

• Consider how you got to the website or ad

Fake URLs

Fake insurance companies could try to lure you in using a fake URL. Legitimate URLs are often verified and use secure protocols to keep their sites and their visitors secure. Look for websites that start with https instead of http. The s in the URL shows that the website uses an extra layer of security called an SSL certificate, which is an industry standard for legitimate companies.  

Fake websites will also frequently display with misspellings or have lots of odd characters in the address bar. Legitimate companies most often verify their domains which allow them to use the shortest version of their company in their web address, such as amaxinsurance.com.

Design Flaws and Inconsistencies

Legitimate insurance companies are meticulous with the use of their logos and branding materials. If the designs look fuzzy, inconsistent, blurred, skewed or even slightly off, you’re likely on a fake website or viewing a fake ad. 

Urgent Language and Exaggerated Offers

As the old saying goes, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Fake ads and websites will often use urgent language or huge deals and promotions to lure you in. If you’re promised free insurance or the ads make guarantees of huge payouts, you’ll want to stay far away. 

New ads or websites

Most legitimate insurance companies will be well established and have a solid web and physical presence. If a website is new, you can verify an insurance company’s validity with your state’s insurance department or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). However, even valid companies may fall victim to spoofing so be aware of the URL and design flaws mentioned above. 

How to Check the Validity of a Website or Ad

• Use website checkers to verify the validity

• Check out user reviews 

• Review their social media accounts

• Look at privacy policies and other terms and conditions pages

Use Website Checkers and Validation Tools

You can quickly and easily identify if an insurance website is legitimate by using online website checkers. If you suspect you’re viewing a fake website or ad, you can type in the URL in the Google Transparency Report site or use a free website checker, such as  Get Safe Online’s website checker.

Links can also be harmful. If you’re curious about links in an ad, you can verify if a link is safe by using tools such as NordVPN’s link checker. 

Look at User Reviews

If an insurance company is new on the scene, you can check out user reviews to see if others have had negative experiences. A lack of user reviews or very few could be a sign that a company isn’t legitimate or that they’re generating fake ads. 

Check Social Media Accounts

Legitimate companies will cross-promote advertisements on their social media accounts and have an active presence. If an insurance company lacks a presence on social media or has little activity, that could be a sign of an illegitimate company. 

Look at Privacy Policies and Other Terms

Privacy policies and terms and conditions demonstrate trust and adherence to compliance and regulatory standards and may be missing from illegitimate websites.