Online insurer swiftcover.com has become the first car insurer to allow customers to receive quotes through their mobile phones.

Consumers will be able to access the service through both text message and using the WAP capabilities of their phone.  They will be asked to provide their name, postcode, car registration, date of birth, occupation and years of no claims. A quote will then be sent to them within 60 seconds.

Tina Shortle, marketing director, swiftcover.com, says:

"Our aim is to make car insurance as easy, simple and convenient as possible. By harnessing the next generation of mobile Internet technology, we're enabling people to get the facts at their finger-tips and shortening the time and hassle of car insurance quotations."

Hayley Parsons from Gocompare.com made clear though that it would not be wise for consumers to rely merely on these “quick-quotes” because they neglect areas of potential cost.