Car Insurance Quotes: What You Need to Know
How Do I Get Free Car Insurance Quotes?
Here are two ways to get car insurance quotes that are always free:
1. online. Many car insurance companies offer free online car insurance quotes. You can visit the websites of several insurance companies and compare quotes. To save time, use a website that offers quotes from multiple companies.
2. By phone or in person. Talk to or visit a local insurance agent. He or she can help you find cheap car insurance and give you a car insurance quote.
In general, there are two types of insurance agents:
1. a "captive" agent works for an insurance company and can only give you a quote from that insurer
2. an "independent" insurance agent can sell policies from multiple insurance companies and give you quotes from different insurers.
Both approaches have their advantages, and there's no law against going to multiple insurance agents. It doesn't hurt to get quotes online and talk to an agent who can help you determine your insurance needs and put together a policy that's best for you.
- What information do I need to obtain car insurance quotes?
- To make the process as smooth as possible, it's helpful to have the following information on hand:
- Driver's License. If there are other drivers in your household, you'll also need their driver's license information.
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). You can usually find your VIN on the dashboard on the driver's side of the vehicle or on a sticker inside the driver's door or door jamb. If you haven't purchased the vehicle yet but already know what you want to buy, ask the salesperson for the VIN. If you've not yet selected your vehicle, you can usually get an estimate with the vehicle make and model.
- Mileage. If you own the car, have the mileage ready.
- How much insurance coverage you want. Know what type of coverage you want and how much coverage you need. If you aren't sure, you should talk to an insurance agent who can answer your questions.
The auto insurance company will ask for more information about you, such as your driving history, previous car insurance claims, and (in most states) your credit score.
What Is the Cheapest Car Insurance?
Our analysis of the best cheap auto insurance across the country found that USAA has the cheapest auto insurance quotes on average. But USAA auto insurance is only available to active members of the military, veterans and their families.
If you don't qualify for a USAA policy, Erie, Geico and State Farm offer competitive rates based on nationwide averages, according to our analysis. It's still a good idea to get quotes from multiple companies, because the cheapest car insurance rates can vary by state, driving history and other factors.
