Online quote-comparison tools can help you find cheap auto insurance rates based on your situation. But LendingTree’s auto insurance quote-comparison platform, QuoteWizard, is a marketing lead generator that matches users with partner insurance companies and other comparison websites. It makes money by sharing consumer information with other insurance companies and marketing partners.
LendingTree and its QuoteWizard product don’t offer real-time quotes to users at the end of its form, so if you want real-time quotes, you need to look elsewhere.
LendingTree at a glance
Founded in 1996 and based in Charlotte, North Carolina, LendingTree has an expansive network of lenders to help you find the best deal on various financial products.1 It focuses on helping borrowers find the lowest rates for auto loans, personal loans, home equity loans, student loans, mortgage loans, and more.
In addition to loan options, LendingTree also helps users compare auto insurance products. However, it doesn’t produce real-time auto insurance quotes. After you submit your information, LendingTree will direct you to partnering insurance companies.
While LendingTree’s QuoteWizard shopping tool may be underwhelming according to some users, the company also offers resources to help you improve your financial life. For example, users can tap into services like credit report monitoring and credit card comparisons.
How does LendingTree work?
QuoteWizard, LendingTree’s proprietary insurance comparison tool, claims to help users find the best auto insurance policy. It requires you to complete a questionnaire that asks for your personal information, vehicle information, driving history, and more.
On LendingTree’s homepage, you’ll see a menu of options for financial comparison tools. Navigate to the “Insurance” icon and click “Learn More” to land on its insurance page.
Then, select “Auto Insurance” to begin the survey. QuoteWizard will first ask for your vehicle’s year, make, model, and trim. It’ll also ask if you want to include a second vehicle for a 20% multi-car discount.
You’ll answer questions about your coverage history, marital status, and homeowner status, which triggers the option to bundle your renters insurance or home insurance quote for more savings. You’ll also include information about your driving history, such as if you’ve had any at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, or driving under the influence (DUI) convictions. These are factors that may increase your car insurance premiums.
LendingTree requires you to provide your first and last name, email address, phone number, and mailing address to access your results.
Upon completing the survey, QuoteWizard displays insurer recommendations but no prices. It’s worth noting that the results may also include other quote-comparison websites. Once you select “View My Rates,” QuoteWizard directs you to its partner insurance company’s or comparison website to fill out another quote form.
LendingTree reviews: What real customers are saying
LendingTree’s customer reviews are mixed. It holds a 4.4 out of 5 rating from 13,407 reviews on Trustpilot and a 1.4 out of 5 score from 128 reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website. Customers on Trustpilot noted satisfactory customer service from LendingTree insurance agents and representatives.
However, QuoteWizard received a volume of complaints. It has a rating of 1 out of 5 stars from 59 reviews on BBB and 1.8 out of 5 stars from 24 reviews on Trustpilot. Many customers mentioned receiving repeated unwanted calls from other lenders. Several also expressed disappointment about the site requiring them to share their information without showing real-time quotes.
LendingTree vs. Insurify
The main difference between LendingTree and Insurify is their focus. Insurify offers only insurance quotes, while LendingTree offers lending and insurance products. In addition, LendingTree’s QuoteWizard tool doesn’t show real-time quotes, while Insurify’s does. After providing your information to LendingTree, you’ll get advertisements from partnered insurance companies instead of live prices. As a result, you may not be getting the best deal on your insurance policy.
Insurify helps you find the cheapest car insurance rates by generating real-time quotes. Insurify’s car insurance quotes let you edit your information at any point of the application, adjusting your rates in real time. Insurify is a good option to save time and energy by comparing multiple rates at the same time.
Additionally, LendingTree receives compensation from other financial institutions by sharing your information. Insurify doesn’t sell your information. Instead, it earns a commission if you purchase a policy from one of its partner insurance companies.
Is LendingTree a spammy site?
LendingTree provides your phone number, email address, and mailing address to companies in its network. As a result, you may receive phone calls and text messages for additional information from those companies.
You can opt out of receiving marketing or promotional messaging through your LendingTree account or by using its opt-out form. If you want to cease communication with its partner companies, you must contact those companies directly.
LendingTree FAQs
Check out Insurify’s guide on finding cheap car insurance, and below are the answers to common questions about LendingTree and QuoteWizard.
Is LendingTree easy to use?
LendingTree is relatively easy to use. However, LendingTree doesn’t generate real-time quotes. You’ll have to re-enter information on its recommended car insurance companies’ websites to get a final quote.
Is LendingTree free?
Yes. LendingTree’s insurance comparison tool is completely free to use. Its revenue comes from generating leads for partnering companies.
Is LendingTree a scam?
No. LendingTree and its comparison calculator, QuoteWizard, are safe to use. However, it doesn’t generate actual insurance quotes.