How to Compare Car Insurance Quotes
Car insurance is essential for any vehicle owner. Not only is it legally required, but it also provides invaluable protection for you, your passengers, and other drivers while you’re on the road.
When shopping for car insurance, it’s important to do your due diligence to find the most affordable rates available without sacrificing coverage. By comparing car insurance quotes from multiple insurance carriers, you can fulfill your coverage requirements without paying more than you need to.
To help you find the best deal available, let’s take a closer look at how to compare car insurance quotes.
What is a Car Insurance Quote?
Car insurance rates are based primarily on your driving history, your vehicle, and other factors like your age. When shopping for car insurance, you can request a quote from insurance carriers to get an estimate for how much your auto insurance policy would cost.
Many carriers provide instant online quotes to make comparing prices as easy as possible. To get an online quote, you typically just have to fill in basic information about yourself and your car. When providing information for a quote, make sure all of your information is accurate. If you leave anything important out, the insurance provider can withdraw your quote and cancel your plan.
Once you get a quote, it is typically valid for about one month, meaning you have plenty of time to continue to shop for policies and find the best deal possible.
Quotes are often broken down to show the costs of each separate coverage, including:
- Liability insurance
- Collision insurance
- Comprehensive insurance
- Underinsured or uninsured motorist insurance
- Medical payments coverage
Each quote you get should be based on the same set of auto insurance coverages, coverage limits, and deductibles.
How to Compare Car Insurance Quotes
Getting and comparing car insurance quotes is easy. But to make sure you are able to find the best rates available, there are a few things to keep in mind while shopping for quotes.
Here’s what you need to know about comparing car insurance quotes.
Collect your personal information
When you request a quote, you’ll have to provide some personal information. In most cases, you’ll need the following:
- Driver’s license numbers for every driver in your household
- Personal information for every driver in your household (e.g. birthdays, occupations, ages, etc.)
- Driving history
- Claims history
- Current insurance information, if applicable
- The average distance you drive per year
Insurance providers use these details to provide informed estimates for your car insurance policy.
Select reasonable coverage limits
When comparing quotes side-by-side, it’s important that you’re comparing estimates for the same coverage limits, deductibles, and coverages.
Most states require a minimum amount of liability coverage, so your quote should be for at least this much coverage. You may also consider increasing your liability coverage limit if you want more protection to avoid significant out-of-pocket expenses if you are in an accident.
Choose the same deductibles
Certain auto insurance coverages, like comprehensive and collision coverage, come with deductibles — the amount you have to pay before insurance covers any damages.
Deductibles are often adjustable and impact your monthly premiums. Higher deductibles typically have lower premiums, while lower deductibles carry higher monthly premiums. Of course, a higher deductible means your out-of-pocket expenses will be higher after an accident, so keep that in mind when choosing your deductibles.
Select the same coverages
Most states require liability coverage, and some states also require uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, and personal injury protection. Make sure to familiarize yourself with your stated requirements before you shop.
In most states, the following auto insurance coverages are optional:
- Comprehensive coverage
- Collision coverage
- Rental reimbursement coverage
- Towing and labor cost coverage
- Gap insurance coverage
If you choose to add any optional coverages, include them when requesting quotes from other carriers as well.
Compare quotes
Once you have gathered your personal information and decided what coverages, limits, and deductibles you need, you can start requesting and comparing car insurance quotes.
The Insurance Information Institute (III) recommends that drivers get at least three quotes from three different insurance providers to get a good idea of what they should pay for car insurance.
Generally, there are three main ways to get a quote. You can either get an in-person quote, request a quote on the phone, or visit a carrier’s website for an online quote. Online quotes are usually the fastest, but you’re likely to get more personalized service in-person or on the phone.
Once you find a policy that meets your coverage needs and fits your budget, you can purchase it online, in-person, or on the phone and get same-day coverage. You can also schedule your policy to take effect on a future date if necessary.
Request a Quote
Comparing car insurance quotes is the best way to ensure you aren’t paying more than you should for coverage.
At KSA Insurance, we work with drivers in South Carolina and across the southeastern United States to help them find affordable car insurance policies that offer comprehensive coverage. Our insurance agents will work with you to discuss coverage options, discounts, and more to create a policy that meets your needs.
