Obtaining a car insurance quote that fits your budget can be quite an ordeal. At the same time, a few tips and tricks in hand can help you find the best car insurance from top-rated insurance companies in your state. Read on to learn more about how to get car insurance quotes.
How to Get Car Insurance Quotes?
Get your car insurance quotes online, or otherwise you can get it over the phone, or from an independent agent or insurance broker. You can also visit websites that provide comparison tools that show you different prices from different providers.
Are Car Insurance Quotes Accurate?
These prices aren’t accurate; they just give you an idea of a pricing range for your exact case. If you want precise information, you have to go directly to an insurer’s website and make a request. The more information you provide to the insurer, the more accurate the quotes will be. So don’t rush. Take your time, be accurate with the information you provide, and your final price will be close to the quote you got.
What Information Do I Need to Provide to Get an Insurance Quote?
If you already have a car insurance policy, set the declarations page available. The car insurance declaration page likely includes information such as :
- Make, model, and vehicle identification number.
- The names of the drivers to be covered under the policy.
- The current policy coverages and limits.
- Personal information, for example, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license numbers of family members, is to be covered under the new car insurance.
- Driving history that might include past tickets or auto accidents caused by family members whom you want to cover under the policy.
- More background. Your agent may ask a bit about your assets and income to choose your liability coverage limits.
- Whether or not you own a home
How Do Insurers Calculate Car Insurance Quotes?
Typically, insurers have their own unique formula to calculate the car insurance quote, so even if you provide the same information to different insurers, you’re not guaranteed to find the cheapest car insurance company for your needs.
The cost of an insurance policy depends on the coverage types, the limits, and the deductibles for each coverage type
What Should I Look Out for When Searching for Quotes?
- Look into car insurance companies’ complaint records. Also, customer satisfaction can be found in the reviews for the respective insurers.
- Generate at least three car insurance quotes online or from an agent. This will help you to evaluate which car insurance company provides a policy at a good price according to your coverage requirements. Every quote will require different information from you: some insurers might only ask a few main questions like age, accident history, and vehicle specifications, whereas others will be more meticulous.
- Understand coverage limits. When going through the quotes of different car insurance companies, check if each quote has comparable liability limits and deductibles.
Getting quotes online is the easiest way to get a free quote on auto insurance.
Pros of Getting Quotes on Car Insurance Online Include:
- Convenience and a relaxed, no-pressure experience.
- Easy to compare the same quotes with different competitors
- Ability to see different quotes and policy details
Cons of Getting Quotes on Car Insurance Online Include:
- The final quote might be different from the quote you’ll receive from the agent
- You won’t find the answers to all your questions, but the agent will provide you with the detailed insights
What Do I Need to Know About Insurance Agents?
In general, there are two types of insurance agents that can help you obtain car insurance quotes. They are as follows:
Captive Agents
You can get a quote from a captive agent. Captive agents usually work with a specific insurance company like Allstate, State Farm, or Farmers Insurance. The agents provide you with the best quote, and as you purchase the car insurance, they will earn a commission.
Pros:
- Best coverage aligning with your requirement
- Reasonable solution for needs like family coverage plans
Cons:
- Generally, the satisfaction level is lower, based on experience
- Options regarding insurance providers are limited
- Captive agents try to upsell to get a higher commission
Independent Agents/Brokers
Independent agents work with multiple insurers and offer a variety of options and services. Those agents also work for a commission and tend to provide excellent customer service, which may obviously lead to more expensive policies.
Pros:
- These agents explain in detail how the industry works and help to compare different companies
- You’ll receive personalized advice
Cons:
- Independent agents or brokers charge fees
- Won’t quote policies that use captive agents
Will Car Insurance Quotes Affect Your Credit Score?
A better credit score is considered a lower risk, so the quotes for car insurance will be lower. A high credit score equals lower risk, and that means lower rates. The act of car insurance companies checking your credit score to generate a quote is called a “soft inquiry.” Such an inquiry will show up on your personal credit report, but it won’t affect your credit score or show up to lenders. “Hard inquiries” are those that affect your credit score, which happen when you’re applying for a new credit card or a loan. So, no worries about getting car insurance quotes since they won’t affect your credit score in any way.
Let’s Summarize: Here Is What You Need to Do to Get Your Car Insurance Quote:
- Find out your state’s minimum insurance requirements.
- Consider your own financial situation to choose the best car insurance, and consider whether you need to adjust the limits to protect your assets accordingly.
- Review your driving record, because any outstanding tickets or points on your driver’s license will affect the car insurance quotes.
- Learn how much you’re paying right now for your coverage.
- Get several quotes from insurance websites or companies to compare which one is the best for you.
- Ask for discounts.
- Check if the car insurance company you have chosen is reliable: visit your state’s insurance department website, check the reviews about the company, and ask your friends if they could recommend you to someone.
- Review the policy before finalizing it.
- Don’t forget to cancel your old policy.
Renée Martin is a travel and car expert who focuses on road and air travel in the U.S. For the past 6 years, she’s been helping make driving and trip planning easier and budget-friendly for everyday travelers.
