Auto Insurance Quote

Many people do careful comparison-shopping for their auto insurance policy when they purchase their first car, then continue to use the same insurance agent without giving their coverage a second thought.
However, if your situation has changed since you first earned your license, it's a good idea to obtain car insurance quotes from several different companies to make sure you're getting the best possible rates.

 

Why Should I Get an Auto Insurance Quote?

Because each organization uses its own formula to calculate a driver's risk of being involved in an auto accident, insurance premium amounts for the same coverage can be significantly different from company to company. It is a good idea to obtain auto insurance quotes when:

• You've purchased a new vehicle.

• You've recently moved to a different area, such as moving from a rural community to a larger city.

• You're adding a teen driver to your policy.

• You've received a traffic ticket or been involved in an auto accident in the last six months.

If you find a better rate elsewhere, you'll be pleased to hear that changing auto insurance providers is not difficult. Most car insurance agents will guide you through the process and assist with paperwork, even if your current policy has yet to expire.

 

How to Compare Car Insurance Quotes

Traditionally, you needed to call each insurance agent individually in order to get an auto insurance quote. Today, however, you can simply fill out one form online and then be contacted by the various companies who are interested in providing your policy. This can be a great way to save time when searching for lower insurance rates.

When obtaining a car insurance quote, you may be asked several different questions. Each company uses a slightly different method to figure auto insurance rates, but you will often be asked:

• Your age.

• Your gender.

• Your address.

• The type of vehicle you drive.

• How many miles you drive per day.

• Other drivers who live with you.

• Whether you've gotten any tickets recently.

• Whether you've recently made a claim on your current auto policy.

• If you're willing to switch your homeowner’s or renter's insurance to the company.

To get an accurate auto insurance quote, it's important to make sure you're comparing similar types of policies.

Look over your current auto insurance documents to verify the type of coverage you are looking for. Before you request a car insurance quote, you will need to know if your liability insurance is the minimum coverage for your state or if you have opted for additional protection. If you have comprehensive and collision coverage, it's a good idea to check what your deductible is for your policy.

In most cases, spending a few hours comparing auto insurance quotes is enough to help you find affordable coverage for your vehicle. If you can't find a policy that fits your budget, however, you may need to think about making some changes in your driving habits.

For example, a sports car will always cost more to insure than a family sedan. And, if you have a tendency to speed to your destination, remember that excess tickets will increase your insurance rates even if you never cause an auto accident.