Car insurance quotes are estimates of the price a person will pay for auto insurance coverage. These quotes are calculated based on a motorist's driving history, age, gender, location, the number of miles they drive, and their vehicle. We'll cover how to get car insurance quotes online, on the phone, or in person from an insurance agent.
What are car insurance quotes?
Car insurance quotes are cost estimates from auto insurers. The estimate tells a person how much they would pay monthly for auto insurance coverage (the monthly "premium"). Get quotes from several of the best auto insurance companies to get a fair price.
Why is it important to get auto insurance quotes?
Car insurance prices vary by insurer. Some auto insurance companies are more expensive for particular motorists than others. Getting auto insurance quotes helps motorists to ensure they are paying the most affordable price for comprehensive coverage.
What to know about car insurance quotes
Different insurers have different processes for getting car insurance quotes. Some allow drivers to get quotes online and others require a phone call to an agent. Providing personal details to insurers is important to get accurate quotes because many different factors affect the cost of auto insurance. It's also a good idea to have a rough estimate of how much insurance should cost so drivers can compare quotes and see how their prices compare to the average.
How much should my car insurance be?
The national average auto insurance premium is $2,646 across the United States. But premiums can vary based on location, driving record, and many other factors.
For example, the best cheap California car insurance sees an average premium of $2,346. In Connecticut, it's $3,435. The national average premium across the U.S. for a driver with an accident on their record, on the other hand, goes up to $3,210.
What factors affect your car insurance quote?
Insurers take several key factors into account when setting your price. When getting car insurance quotes, it's important for motorists to be aware that the costs they pay are determined by some of the following criteria.
Where you live
Insurance is more expensive in some states than others. For example, North Carolina and Ohio have some of the cheapest insurance in the nation while Michigan and Louisiana have some of the country's most expensive coverage. While drivers can do little about where they live, it's important to realize that motorists in areas where the accident risk is higher will pay more.
Who you are
Insurance companies ask for age, gender, and marital status to see how likely a person is to make a claim. Insurers collect detailed data on accidents according to age and gender to understand the risk of providing coverage. Some people -- such as younger drivers and male drivers -- considered as an overall group, get into more accidents. They also tend to get higher auto insurance quotes, since companies believe they are riskier to insure.
Marital status
Married drivers are often seen as behaving more safely. Insurers also view married people as being more financially stable than singles. As a result, drivers who get married can expect to get less expensive car insurance quotes than those who are single.
Homeownership impact on car insurance costs
Homeownership can sometimes reduce car insurance costs. Insurers may see homeowners as more financially stable and more risk averse, which can result in lower premiums. Homeowners also have the opportunity to bundle coverage, buying home and car insurance together. This can result in a discount that reduces policy premiums.
Education levels
Drivers with more education are often offered lower premiums when getting car insurance quotes. Education level is also correlated with level of risk, which explains this phenomenon.
Insurance history and credit score
Drivers with good credit who have not had lapses in insurance coverage are seen as more responsible and less risky to insure. As a result, they will benefit from lower premiums when obtaining car insurance quotes.
How you drive
Insurers also consider a motorist's personal driving history. If a person has a clean driving record, they're more likely to get cheap car insurance quotes. If they have a history of at-fault accidents that led to insurance claim payouts, they'll pay more. People also get higher price quotes if they have a DUI or moving violations, or if they haven't been driving long.
Vehicle type
More expensive cars often cost more to repair, and they cost more to replace if they're damaged beyond repair. They're also more likely to get stolen. Because of all that, they're more expensive to insure. On the other hand, if a vehicle has excellent safety and anti-theft features, that reduces the risk of injury claims or theft, and makes insurance costs cheaper.
What information do you need to get a car insurance quote?
Insurers ask for a lot of information to get an accurate picture of a driver and vehicle owner. Most insurers request a person's Social Security number and their VIN (vehicle identification number) when they get auto insurance quotes. While people don't have to provide this, it can result in more accurate price estimates.
Even if you don't give an insurer your Social Security number, if you're wondering how to get car insurance quotes, be ready to provide the following details.
Your contact information and personal details
The insurer needs to know your name, address, phone number, marital status, and at what age you got your driver's license.
Your driving history
The insurer asks for details about any accidents or violations in your driving record. This includes the date of the incident and the cost of any insurance claims paid out.
Your vehicle information
Insurers need to know its make, model number, model year, safety features, and anti-theft features. They'll also want to know if it is owned, leased, or financed.
Your intended vehicle use
You need to provide information about other drivers in your household, including their ages. The insurer also asks for details about your commute and the number of miles you drive each year. You also say whether you use the vehicle for pleasure, for getting to work, or for business purposes.
How to get the cheapest car insurance quote
These tips will help you get cheap car insurance quotes.
Shop around
Shopping around is the best way to get the cheapest coverage. Use websites that let you get multiple quotes at once to make this process easier.
Speak to an agent
Insurance agents can provide quotes and help motorists to match their coverage to their needs. Some insurance agents will also shop around with different insurers for their clients so they can find the lowest car insurance quotes on their behalf.
Captive insurance agents vs. independent agents
Some insurance agents only represent particular auto insurance companies. These are called captive agents. They give you quotes just for the company they work for, such as State Farm or Nationwide.
Other insurance brokers are independent agents and can help you compare car insurance quotes from several insurers. In either case, you should never have to pay a fee for help from an agent.
Bundle coverage
If someone buys multiple policies from the same insurer, they usually get a discount. When possible, bundle different kinds of policies -- such as home and auto. It can save on premium costs.
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