An Empirical Study on the Trust-Building Strategy of Internet Automobile Insurance : Comparison of Male and Female Customers

Trust is emphasized as one of the most important factors in various e-commerce related studies. It is no exaggeration to say that in the area of e-commerce, trust-building with customers determines a company's success or failure. That is why most e-commerce based companies spare no time and effort in building trust with customers. Without exception, trust is one of the most critical factors influencing a customer's decision making process of whether to purchase Internet automobile insurance. This study attempts to provide useful guidelines for the sales-enhancing strategies of Internet automobile insurers, by delving into research questions concerning 1) gender differences in Internet automobile insurance customers' recognition of trust, and 2) gender differences in the effective trust factors influencing one's intention to purchase of Internet automobile insurance. The study finds that while the shape of trust-recognition toward three types of trust factors is very similar for both gender groups, the intensity of trust for each gender group in overall is pretty different. The results indicate that there exist gender differences in the trust factors influencing one’s intent to purchase Internet automobile insurance. The results of this study will provide useful guidelines for Internet automobile insurers in establishing effective and differentiated marketing strategies.