Google is trying to shake up the auto industry with more than self-driving cars , as a new service launched in California will help drivers shop for car insurance . It is thought that this could foreshadow the company 's latest attempt to shake up a long-established industry and has raised questions as to whether Google may one day start selling policies . Called Google Compare for car insurance , the tool allows people to compare offerings from different insurance providers . The new service , unveiled on Thursday , compares auto insurance quotes from up to 14 carriers that are participating in the comparisons . Google has unveiled a new service to help California drivers shop for car insurance , which could be the company 's first step towards really shaking up the market . To date 14 insurers are participating in the comparison site which sees Google take a cut from each sale which can be bought online or through an agent - the service is also mobile friendly . Google gets a cut from each sale , but the company said that the size of the commissions will not influence how it ranks the price quotes . The policies can then be bought online or through an agent and Google will receive a cut from each insurance sale . The Mountain View , California , company has said that the size of the commissions will not influence how it ranks the price quotes . Ellen Carney , an analyst for Forrester Research , wrote in January that Google may be making moves to ramp up its insurance knowledge base through an acquisition of San Francisco-based Coverhound . Coverhound has developed its own platform for consumers to shop for car insurance and an acquisition would also bring a lot of insurance market experience to Google . Some of the largest auto insurance providers , including State Farm , Allstate , Progressive and Geico , have n't joined Google 's service . Progressive and Allstate 's esurance.com also provide auto insurance price comparisons . It is thought that they fear that one day Google might compete with them , and no longer act as a middle-man . Google has a uniquely dominant position as a search provider through which it can potentially challenge the status quo in an industry . Carney pointed out that Google is learning about the industry as a step towards one day selling and underwriting its own policies . 'They are getting all the data that they need to do it , ' Carney said . ' I think there is definitely more to come here . ' However , a Google spokesperson said the company has no plans to sell or underwrite insurance . To date in the U.S. only drivers in California can use the service , but it is expected to be rolled out in Illinois , Pennsylvania , and Texas among other states in the near future . The service follows the successful launch of a car insurance comparison tool in the U.K. in 2012 . Analysts speculate that this is the first move by the company towards actually selling insurance . Google announced the service through its AdWords blog and highlighted some of the features that should make it attractive for both insurance providers and customers . 'Whether you 're a national insurance provider or one local to California , people searching for car insurance on their phone or computer can find you along with an apples-to-apples comparison of other providers -- all in as little as 5 minutes , ' said Google . 'You can highlight what makes your business unique , whether that 's an `` A '' rating in customer service or better discounts for safe drivers . And when users adjust their deductible or add additional cars to their quote , you can show updated pricing that matches their needs . ' Google plans to provide car insurance quotes in other states , too - Illinois , Pennsylvania , and Texas are suspected to be among the next states . The service follows the lead of the Google compare service in the UK , which launched in 2012 and allows users to get quotes from 126 providers . Google also has similar services in the UK for travel insurance , mortgage quotes and credit cards .
Google has launched a price comparison site for drivers in California to compare auto insurance quotes . The service is likely to roll out in Texas , Illinois and Pennsylvania in the near future . Industry insiders speculate that this may be the first step towards disrupting the car insurance market . Google denies that it has plans to sell and underwrite insurance itself . Comment: