Insurance

In a review of 72 insurance websites, the Consumer Respect Group found that more than half shared personal data with third parties and affiliates without customer permission. While technically, this isn't illegal given the terms of the GLB (which only requires that you be allowed to opt out), the Customer Respect Group suggests that it doesn't suggest respect for customers.

What's more, it appears that information sharing is growing. In their Winter 2004 survey, 35% of the carriers reviewed by the Group shared information without an explicit opt-in. In Summer 2004, the number had grown to 52%. 5 of the 72 offered no online privacy policy at all.

Let's be very clear: companies aren't doing anything illegal here. But unless you ask them not to, most insurance websites will take the info you give them and pass it along to someone who is going to try to sell you something.

In case you're wondering if there were any bright spots in the survey: yes. Progressive Insurance, which is pioneering ways to track you more closely to offer your more appropriate rates (see the earlier post on this), is also paying the most attention to privacy concerns on its website.