Car Insurance Quotes

How to get car insurance quotes

There are several ways you can get free auto insurance quotes:

• Online or over the phone.

• Captive insurance agents.

• Independent insurance agents and brokers.

• Comparison websites.

• Specialty agencies

Before you start making phone calls, though, remember these pro tips:

1. Look into car insurance companies’ complaint records and customer satisfaction. Auto insurance reviews are a good place to start.

2. Get at least three car insurance quotes online or from an agent so you can evaluate whether you’re getting a good price for the coverage you want.

3. Understand coverage limits. When comparing quotes, check that each policy has comparable liability limits and deductibles.

   Direct quotes online or over the phone

   Getting free auto insurance quotes online is one of the easiest ways to shop for car insurance. Most companies, such as State Farm and Allstate, offer free quotes, letting you start online but then assigning you a captive agent to finalize your quote over the phone.

   Purchasing a policy online (or over the phone) is referred to as buying car insurance “direct” from the insurer.

   Buying insurance directly without the help of an agent gives you more freedom to adjust coverages and see auto insurance quotes for yourself. However, there may be drawbacks such as follow-up calls and emails. In addition, websites often provide less information than an agent, who can answer questions face to face.

   Captive insurance agents

   You could also get a free car insurance quote through a captive agent. These folks work for one specific insurance company, such as Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm.

   Any agent’s job is to help figure out what policy is best for you and provide a car insurance quote. In return, he or she earns a commission — or percentage of your premium — when you buy a policy. Unlike other agents, however, a captive agent may also receive a salary from the company they work for.

   If your insurance needs are relatively complex, such as if you have multiple cars or need several types of policies, you may want to work with a captive agent since they can help navigate your unique situation. But keep in mind that because captive agents are limited to selling from one company, they may be motivated to upsell to receive a larger commission.

   Independent insurance agents and brokers

   If you want to talk through your car insurance options, but don’t want to limit yourself to one company, getting an auto insurance quote from an independent broker or agent might be a good choice.

   Independent agents and brokers work with multiple insurers and can offer a wide range of options and policies. Big-name insurance companies such as Travelers and Progressive, as well as smaller companies, sell policies through independent agents. Because independent agents work on commission, they may strive to provide you the best customer service possible or, alternatively, steer you toward more expensive policies.

   Independent brokers differ from independent agents in that they charge a broker’s fee and must disclose commission rates to customers. This transparency allows you to know exactly how much the broker is making from your business.

   Comparison websites

   If you want to get quotes from multiple companies online for free, consider using a comparison website. For instance, NerdWallet has an auto insurance comparison tool that matches you with several insurers so you can easily compare prices and find the cheapest quote. If you know the kind of coverage you want and are looking for a quick way to shop around, this method could work for you.

   Specialty agencies

   Drivers who have had DUIs, speeding tickets or multiple accidents may need to find a nonstandard insurance company that specializes in policies for high-risk drivers. Many local and national agencies exist just to serve this customer base. They find car insurance quotes specifically from companies willing to cover individuals with poor driving histories.

   What information do you need to get a free car insurance quote?

   When you shop around for auto insurance quotes, make sure you have all the relevant information on hand and understand what goes into determining your final premium. That includes:

   • Basic information such as your name, address, occupation and birthdate.

   • Your current auto insurance company, if you have one.

   • Driver’s license information for you and anyone else on the policy.

   • Annual and current mileage on your car, as well as how often you drive and why (such as for pleasure or commuting to work).

   • Vehicle information, including whether you own or lease your car, vehicle identification number and any safety features.

   • Driving history for the past five years for all drivers on the policy, including tickets, accidents and other violations. Bear in mind — any company you choose will find your driving history before issuing a policy, so it’s best to be upfront to get an accurate car insurance quote.

   • How much coverage you need. If you already have a policy, the declarations page lists the coverage you currently have. You can use this for reference.

     How much should my car insurance be?

     Because car insurance quotes can vary widely from person to person depending on your car, location and driving record, among other factors, we can’t predict the exact auto insurance quote you’ll receive, but our analyses determined these averages.

     How to get the cheapest car insurance quote possible

     Regularly shopping around is the only way to find the best policy for you. Even if you have a clean record and are happy with your insurance company, you might find a cheaper price elsewhere. The only way to know is to compare car insurance rates.

     Besides shopping around (at least once a year), there are other strategies you can try to keep your premium down:

     • Work on your credit. Our car insurance rates analysis found that drivers with poor credit and a good driving record pay almost as much for car insurance as drivers with good credit and a DUI.

     • Shop for insurance before buying a car. Insurers will charge you more (or less) depending on the type of car you drive. A recent NerdWallet study found that the cheapest cars to insure include the Subaru Outback and Forester and the Honda CR-V.

     • Drive cautiously. Car insurance is almost always expensive for drivers with a history of car accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs or other violations in the past three to five years.

     • Look for discounts. You can save on your car insurance if you own a home, take a driver’s safety course or belong to certain organizations.

     • Raise your deductibles. Opting to pay more out of pocket if you file a collision or comprehensive claim will help reduce your monthly premium.