There are tons of auto insurance companies that operate on a national scale, and even more that offer insurance to specific regions or areas. While shopping around is a crucial step to finding the best and most affordable car insurance coverage for you, it’s also important to keep your search manageable. Our Best Car Insurance and Cheapest Car Insurance rankings can help you figure out which companies are most likely to suit your needs with competitive insurance rates, so you can start there when you’re ready to look for auto insurance quotes. Every motorist looking for new insurance coverage should get some information together. For each insurer on your list, the company’s online quote tool will ask for your zip code, age, and driver’s license number for the drivers in your household; information about the vehicles your household owns or is planning to buy (such as year, make, model, and VIN); and driving record information for each member of your household. These questions give insight into the formulas insurance companies use to generate quotes and set auto insurance rates, so the process will be similar for each insurer you consider. Keep in mind, too, that most insurance companies offer various discounts, such as bundling with renters insurance, or a discount for having a new vehicle. Though you can get an idea of which discounts are available while you’re researching each site, these discounts might not factor into your initial online quote. It will also be helpful to know what kind of coverages at what levels are included in your current policy, such as liability coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, and other add-on coverages. You don’t want to be swayed by what seems like a cheap premium only to find out too late that it’s much less insurance coverage than you had before. Can I Buy Auto Insurance Through Other Sites, Too? Some auto insurance websites allow you to input your personal information and get a bunch of quotes at once. While you won’t be able to get car insurance quotes from anywhere – online, by phone, or in person – without sharing relevant information, quote comparison tools let you see quotes from multiple insurers quickly and easily by sharing your personal info. If you are interested in the quickest quote comparisons or want to ensure all your bases are covered, quote comparison sites are a great tool and can lead you right to the cheapest company for you so you can set up your new policy. Pros and Cons of Buying Car Insurance Online Pros You can get online quotes at your convenience, whenever you want. Online quotes are quick and may take just a few minutes. Online-only policies may be cheaper since there are no agent fees or commissions. Cons Online quotes may be confusing if you aren’t tech-savvy or don’t understand car insurance. Quotes are just estimates based on limited information, and your actual car insurance rates may differ.
