When you’re shopping around for car insurance quotes, you may get lots of opinions on what company to use and what coverage to get. Comparing quotes from several different insurers is one of the best ways to save money. And it’s not a process that takes hours. With a minimal time investment, you can find the best car insurance rates and a policy that’s right for you.
How Do I Get Free Car Insurance Quotes?
Here are two ways to get car insurance quotes, which are always free:
1. Online: Many auto insurance companies offer free car insurance quotes online. You can visit several insurance company websites and compare quotes. To save time, use a website that provides quotes from multiple companies.
2. By phone or in person: Speak with or visit a local insurance agent who can help you find affordable car insurance options and get you a car insurance quote.
There are generally two types of insurance agents:
1: A “Captive Agent” works for one insurance company and can give you a quote only from that insurer.
2: An “Independent Insurance Agent” can sell policies from multiple insurance companies and can get you quotes from different insurers. There are benefits to both approaches, and there’s no law against contacting multiple insurance agents. It doesn’t hurt to get online quotes and also speak with an agent who can help you identify your coverage needs and tailor a policy that’s the best fit for you.
What Information Do I Need to Get Auto Insurance Quotes?
To make the process go as smoothly as possible, it helps to have the following information on hand:
Driver’s License: If there are any other drivers in your household, you’ll need their driver’s license information as well.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): You can typically find your VIN on the vehicle’s driver’s side dashboard or printed on a sticker in the driver’s side door or door jamb. If you haven’t purchased the vehicle yet but know what you’re going to buy, ask the seller for the VIN. If you haven’t picked out your car yet, you can usually get a quote with a vehicle make and model.
Mileage: If you own the car, have the odometer reading handy.
How much coverage you want: You’ll want to know what coverage types you want to buy and how much coverage you need. If you’re not sure, it’s a good idea to speak with an insurance agent who can help answer your questions. The auto insurance company will gather additional information about you, such as your driving history, past auto insurance claims and (in most states) your credit.
How are Car Insurance Quotes Calculated?
There’s a lot that goes into how much you pay for your car insurance. Insurance companies use various factors to decide how likely you are to make a claim, which is reflected in your price.
Some of the bigger factors are:
- Where you live
- Your age
- The car you own
- What you do for a living
- Your driving history
- Your annual mileage
- How secure your car is
- Your voluntary excess
- Who else drives your car
Where You Live:
will affect your car insurance price. If you live in a built-up area with more vehicle crime you’ll likely be paying more than someone living in a rural area where the risks are lower.
Your Age:
and driving experience are significant to insurers. Generally, the younger you are, the less driving experience you have. In insurers’ eyes this means you’re more likely to have an accident and make a claim.
The Car You Drive:
has one of the largest effects on your insurance costs. Bigger, high-performance and expensive models, as well as cars with modifications, usually cost insurers more to repair after an accident. Desirable and valuable cars are also more often a target for opportunistic thieves.
What You Do for a Living :
is important as it gives an indication to insurers of how much time you spend on the road. Long days behind the wheel or travelling to multiple sites a day might increase your risk of making a claim.
Your Driving History:
including previous claims or accidents help give insurance companies an idea of how you drive. If you’ve made a claim in the past 5 years, this will affect the cost of your insurance. Driving convictions also contribute to the amount you pay.
Your Annual Mileage:
Tells insurers how much you’re on the road. The more miles you rack up, the greater the risk of an accident.
How Secure Your Car is:
can have a sizable impact on your policy. Cars fitted with an alarm, immobiliser and tracker are harder to steal and easier to recover. Good security measures could help keep your costs down. Cars are pretty unique in that they are high-value possessions that are left outside the home, on streets and in plain view. You wouldn’t put your watch on your driveway or a curb and expect it to be there in the morning, but cars? What choice do you have? Of course, there’s no alternative, and frankly, if someone wants to snaffle a car they can do so very quickly. That’s not to say there is nothing you can do. All a driver needs to accomplish is make it harder for a crook to steal their car than it is to nick the next car down the line. It’s not good news for your neighbour, but that’s life. Here, we take a peek at some of the best ways to prevent your car from being stolen.
Who Else Drives Your Car:
is important as it’s an additional risk. Depending on the named drivers’ age, experience and claims history, your costs can go up or down. Unless you tell them otherwise, most insurers automatically renew your policy each year. The cost of car insurance goes up and down, so don’t just accept the renewal price you’re offered. Shop around for cheaper car insurance and compare quotes to make sure you’re getting the best policy for the price.
Add Comment