Car insurance rates change every day and you could be leaving money on the table if you’re not comparison shopping. With car prices and repair expenses shifting, so does the cost of auto insurance. Insurers use these market changes plus other factors, like your age and driving history, when underwriting policies — that’s why a different carrier may charge less for the same coverage.
There are generally two ways to shop for car insurance: the traditional way or the SmartFinancial way. For comparison’s sake, let’s start by listing out the steps for shopping for car insurance the first way.
Liability insurance is the most commonly required type of car insurance but you may need additional coverage depending on your state. For example, California requires only liability coverage but in Florida, you’ll also need to buy personal injury protection. If you’re financing or leasing your vehicle, you’ll also need to buy collision and comprehensive insurance.
In addition, you may want to buy coverage limits higher than what your state requires. This will provide added coverage if you get into a high-cost car accident.
Before you start contacting insurance companies, you’ll need to have some information handy. In general, you’ll want to have the following details to get the most accurate quote:
Next, you’ll need to contact each insurance company you’re considering for a quote. Many companies allow you to generate online quotes through their website, while others will require you to speak with a live agent. Either way, you’ll often need to supply the information listed in the last step to get your quote.
While pricing is important, it shouldn’t always be the deciding factor. You should also research each insurance company based on their customer service and financial strength.
Otherwise, you may wind up with an insurance company that charges low rates but has an awful claims process.
After deciding on a company, you just need to choose your coverage start date and pay your premium to start your policy.
1. Complete a Quick Questionnaire
We’ll ask you some questions about yourself, driving history, and the insurance coverage you want.
Review the offers and choose the policy that best fits your coverage needs and budget. The best part: It’s 100% free and only takes a few minutes.
We’ll sort through over 200 insurance companies large and small (so you don’t have to) and find the best rates available in your area.
