What You Need For A Car Insurance Quote

Shopping for an auto insurance company requires obtaining quotes for your car or cars. This allows you to compare rates and reach a decision on which car insurance company best meets your coverage needs at the best price.

But to obtain a quote, you'll need to provide more information than just your name and car make.

 

Information Needed for Obtaining a Car Insurance Quote

You can either obtain a quote online or by phone. Whichever method you choose, be prepared to provide the following:

• Your zip code. This may seem irrelevant, but this is very important to the provider. Part of the car insurance rate equation is based upon your place of residence. City zip codes require higher rates than rural zip codes.

• E-mail address.

• Date of birth.

• Type of residence (home, apartment, condominium).

• Whether you own or rent.

• Your current car insurance situation. This will generally include the name of your current provider, how long you've maintained a policy with this company, and the bodily injury limits you carried. Be honest if you've allowed your auto insurance to lapse. This information will show up on you're records, making it easy to prove.

• Your Social Security number.

• Your marital status.

• Your job occupation.

• Your driving history. If you've had a recent accident or a recent traffic violation, be honest. Don't lie. This information can easily be checked. The provider may decline your business If you're caught fabricating information.

• The make, model, and year of your car.

• The car's current mileage reading.

• The car's vehicle identification number (VIN).

• The type of coverage you want. Nearly every state has liability insurance requirements you must meet, but depending on your situation you might look at additional coverage options like collision, comprehensive, or uninsured.

• Coverage deduction amounts. The higher the deduction, the lower the premiums.

All of this information, regardless of how insignificant it may seem to you, factors prominently into the quote equation. For instance, based on insurance statistics, renters are considered riskier drivers than homeowners. And married drivers are deemed safer than single drivers.

 

How Many Quotes Should You Obtain?

The more quotes you acquire, the better your odds of finding an affordable rate that meets your satisfaction. In California, for example, there are close to 200 auto insurance companies. The difference between looking at 10 quotes compared to 70 quotes could be several hundred dollars in insurance premium savings.

Thanks to the Internet, it's much easier to shop for insurance than it used to be. You can easily compare insurance rates online from multiple providers, all from the comfort of your own home.