You must provide certain personal information to get an accurate auto insurance quote. This includes your driver’s license number, vehicle information, and details about past accidents or tickets.
However, getting an accurate car insurance quote doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these tips to make the process as simple as possible:
Vehicle Information
The type of vehicle you drive has a significant impact on your rate. If you have a newer, safer car that costs less to repair or replace in the event of an accident, your rates will be lower than someone with a beat-up old truck.
Other factors will also affect your rates. For example, some insurers may consider your area a high-crime area and raise your rates accordingly, while others may see the opposite.
To receive accurate quotes, you must provide basic information about your vehicle, such as the year, make, and model. You must also share the vehicle identification number (VIN) and current odometer reading. You should also specify if your vehicle has any safety or anti-theft features. Finally, you’ll need to indicate the coverage you want. Often, state law or your mortgage lender will require minimum levels of coverage. Providing this information accurately will help you compare apples to apples.
Driver’s Record
If you’re shopping for car insurance through a traditional agent or insurer-owned website, your driving record is one of the main factors determining your rate. In most states, drivers can obtain a copy of their driving records for a small fee.
When obtaining an auto insurance quote, provide your driving history, including tickets and accidents. This helps insurers better evaluate your risk and allows you to take advantage of driver discounts.
Personal information, like age, gender, and marital status, can also significantly impact your quotes. For example, men tend to have higher accident rates than women, and married couples typically get lower quotes than single individuals. The same is valid for education level — drivers with advanced degrees generally get better rates than those with less-than-stellar academic credentials. The type of coverage you need is also essential to consider when getting a quote.
Coverage Needs
When you request a quote from an agent or online, provide accurate information about your coverage needs. Ask specific questions about the types of coverage you need, what limits are appropriate, and your deductible preferences. Compare quotes using the same information to see accurately how rates and coverages differ between insurers.
While meeting state and lender requirements is essential, it is also a good idea to bolster your policy with additional coverages to protect you from financial distress if an accident occurs. Additionally, looking for a carrier that provides competitively priced premiums while offering excellent customer service outside the claims process and thorough reviews of your policy is wise. Be sure to check the ratings of the insurance company.
Personal Information
Most people would agree that it’s essential to comparison shop for auto insurance. However, providing accurate information when requesting a quote is necessary, especially if you want an apples-to-apples cost comparison. In most states, insurers use personal information like age, gender, and claims history to calculate an underwriting rating specific to the driver and car being insured.
This information can also affect a policy’s deductible and coverage limits. For example, a luxury vehicle is more expensive to repair and may have higher coverage limits than an economy car. Accurate information during the quoting process will help you obtain an affordable and comprehensive auto insurance policy.
Some drivers may be uncomfortable sharing personal information online or over the phone to obtain a quote. You can stay relatively anonymous during the quoting process. One option is to work with a comparison website that uses an alias and only asks for identifying information when it’s time to purchase.