Compare Car Insurance Quotes for Free
Compare Car Insurance Quotes for Free
How To Get Car Insurance Quotes
1. Decide on the coverage you need
Most states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage, and a minimum-coverage policy is, on average, the cheapest type of plan you can purchase. But there are other things to keep in mind as you’re shopping for car insurance.
For instance, if your vehicle is newer or leased, you may be required by a lender or lessor to carry additional coverages, such as comprehensive and collision coverage. And as your vehicle ages, you may determine that different coverages and coverage amounts are a better fit than those you carried when it was newer.
Most states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage, and a minimum-coverage policy is, on average, the cheapest type of plan you can purchase. But there are other things to keep in mind as you’re shopping for car insurance.
For instance, if your vehicle is newer or leased, you may be required by a lender or lessor to carry additional coverages, such as comprehensive and collision coverage. And as your vehicle ages, you may determine that different coverages and coverage amounts are a better fit than those you carried when it was newer.
2. View rate comparisons
Our rating of the Cheapest Car Insurance Companies can give you an idea of which insurers offer the lowest rates overall and for specific driver groups, such as teen drivers and senior drivers.
Different insurers may also offer different rates according to your driving record, the number of miles you drive in a year, or the level of coverage you’re seeking, among other considerations.
USAA has the cheapest rates in most categories we analyzed, but its policies are only available to current and former members of the military and their families. Erie, Auto-Owners, and Nationwide also offer rates well below the national average in many driver categories. But the best insurance provider for you might be another company in our rating, or one that’s not in our rating.
Our rating of the Cheapest Car Insurance Companies can give you an idea of which insurers offer the lowest rates overall and for specific driver groups, such as teen drivers and senior drivers.
Different insurers may also offer different rates according to your driving record, the number of miles you drive in a year, or the level of coverage you’re seeking, among other considerations.
USAA has the cheapest rates in most categories we analyzed, but its policies are only available to current and former members of the military and their families. Erie, Auto-Owners, and Nationwide also offer rates well below the national average in many driver categories. But the best insurance provider for you might be another company in our rating, or one that’s not in our rating.
3. Learn more about individual insurers
Our reviews of individual car insurance companies include analysis of rates to give you a general feel for pricing. They also use results from our survey of consumers to help gauge the companies’ reputations for customer service, claims handling, customer loyalty, and other key considerations.
Our rating of the Best Car Insurance Companies is a good starting point for learning more about some of the nation’s top auto insurers.
Our reviews of individual car insurance companies include analysis of rates to give you a general feel for pricing. They also use results from our survey of consumers to help gauge the companies’ reputations for customer service, claims handling, customer loyalty, and other key considerations.
Our rating of the Best Car Insurance Companies is a good starting point for learning more about some of the nation’s top auto insurers.
Whether shopping for a car insurance quote online or working with an agent, you’ll need to provide some basic information as part of the process. This allows the quote to be tailored to your specific situation. It can also help give you an idea of any discounts you’re qualified for. Discounts can vary by insurer.
Some of the information you can expect to be asked for includes:
Whether shopping for a car insurance quote online or working with an agent, you’ll need to provide some basic information as part of the process. This allows the quote to be tailored to your specific situation. It can also help give you an idea of any discounts you’re qualified for. Discounts can vary by insurer.
Some of the information you can expect to be asked for includes:
Your location.
Car insurance rates can vary greatly depending on where you live.
Your age and the age of other drivers on the policy.
Age impacts the prices paid for car insurance. Seniors generally pay the lowest rates, on average, while teenage drivers are among the most expensive drivers to insure.
Information about your vehicles.
This can include specifics such as the year, make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN).
Your current insurance status.
Whether you are uninsured or have been continuously covered for a long period of time can make a difference in the rates you’ll pay.
Information related to driving history.
This can include information about yourself and other drivers who’ll be covered.
Other information.
You can also expect to be asked about the number of miles you drive in a year and about your vehicle’s primary use, such as commuting to work or school.
How Does Car Insurance Work?
Price isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing a car insurance company. A cut-rate car insurance company isn't a good choice if it doesn't offer the coverages you’re looking for. And the most expensive company isn't always better than one that's cheaper. Check out our car insurance ratings to find the best car insurance companies and compare costs. Then, drill down into our car insurance company reviews to learn more about each insurer, including their reputations for things like customer service, claims handling, and customer loyalty.
Price isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing a car insurance company. A cut-rate car insurance company isn't a good choice if it doesn't offer the coverages you’re looking for. And the most expensive company isn't always better than one that's cheaper. Check out our car insurance ratings to find the best car insurance companies and compare costs. Then, drill down into our car insurance company reviews to learn more about each insurer, including their reputations for things like customer service, claims handling, and customer loyalty.
Driving history
Drivers with a clean record will pay considerably less on average than those who have one or more moving violations or accidents on their record. A person with multiple violations or accidents may be classified as a high-risk driver, have their driving privileges suspended or revoked, or be dropped by their insurer.
High-risk drivers also may be required to file an SR-22 certificate.
Drivers with a clean record will pay considerably less on average than those who have one or more moving violations or accidents on their record. A person with multiple violations or accidents may be classified as a high-risk driver, have their driving privileges suspended or revoked, or be dropped by their insurer.
High-risk drivers also may be required to file an SR-22 certificate.
Age and gender
Generally speaking, car insurance rates become cheaper as you get older, the logic being that more experienced drivers are safer drivers. Senior citizens (defined here as married 60-year-olds) pay the least, on average, for coverage, while teenagers (defined as 17-year-olds) pay the most.
Men often pay more for car insurance than women do, especially teens and men in their mid-20s, but not always. Some states prohibit companies from considering gender when setting car insurance rates: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
Average annual cost of car insurance by age and gender
Generally speaking, car insurance rates become cheaper as you get older, the logic being that more experienced drivers are safer drivers. Senior citizens (defined here as married 60-year-olds) pay the least, on average, for coverage, while teenagers (defined as 17-year-olds) pay the most.
Men often pay more for car insurance than women do, especially teens and men in their mid-20s, but not always. Some states prohibit companies from considering gender when setting car insurance rates: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
Average annual cost of car insurance by age and gender
Coverage type
The deductible chosen will also factor into the policy’s cost, as will the level of coverage. Minimum coverage – the base amount of liability insurance and other coverage required to operate a vehicle in your state – costs less than a policy with higher coverage levels.
You might be surprised to learn that collision coverage doesn't cover every type of collision you may have or that comprehensive coverage isn't as comprehensive as you might think. If you're looking for a specific type of car insurance coverage, you need to make sure it's included in any car insurance rate quote you get.
We've created guides on different types of car insurance so you can understand and decide which car insurance policies make the most sense for you.
The deductible chosen will also factor into the policy’s cost, as will the level of coverage. Minimum coverage – the base amount of liability insurance and other coverage required to operate a vehicle in your state – costs less than a policy with higher coverage levels.
You might be surprised to learn that collision coverage doesn't cover every type of collision you may have or that comprehensive coverage isn't as comprehensive as you might think. If you're looking for a specific type of car insurance coverage, you need to make sure it's included in any car insurance rate quote you get.
We've created guides on different types of car insurance so you can understand and decide which car insurance policies make the most sense for you.
Location
State laws play a big role in how much you pay for car insurance, as most states require a minimum level of coverage before you can hit the road. Different car insurance companies can charge different rates within the same state, too.
Top 5 most and least expensive states
State laws play a big role in how much you pay for car insurance, as most states require a minimum level of coverage before you can hit the road. Different car insurance companies can charge different rates within the same state, too.
Top 5 most and least expensive states
Credit history
Your credit-based insurance score – which is not the same as the credit score that lenders use for car loans and the like – can also influence how much you pay for car insurance in most states. Factors include whether or not you pay your bills on time, how much debt you have, the types of credit you’ve accessed (a car loan versus a credit card, for example), and the like.
This score is used by underwriters to determine the likelihood of your filing a claim. The more financially responsible you are, the less likely you are to file a claim, according to research cited by the Insurance Information Institute. Some states prohibit the use of credit-based information in determining car insurance rates.
Our analysis of car insurance rates found that on average, drivers with poor credit paid $4,381 per year for car insurance. That’s more than double the national average rate we found for drivers with good credit: $2,095 annually.
Your credit-based insurance score – which is not the same as the credit score that lenders use for car loans and the like – can also influence how much you pay for car insurance in most states. Factors include whether or not you pay your bills on time, how much debt you have, the types of credit you’ve accessed (a car loan versus a credit card, for example), and the like.
This score is used by underwriters to determine the likelihood of your filing a claim. The more financially responsible you are, the less likely you are to file a claim, according to research cited by the Insurance Information Institute. Some states prohibit the use of credit-based information in determining car insurance rates.
Our analysis of car insurance rates found that on average, drivers with poor credit paid $4,381 per year for car insurance. That’s more than double the national average rate we found for drivers with good credit: $2,095 annually.
Car insurance providers offer a broad array of discounts that can vary by company. Many of the insurers in our rating of the Best Car Insurance Companies offer safe driver discounts that reward motorists for maintaining a clean driving record. It’s also common for insurers to offer discounts for paying your annual premium in full, rather than monthly, or for student drivers who get good grades.
Other types of discounts offered by car insurance companies include:
• Anti-theft device discount
• Paperless discount
• Discount for insuring multiple vehicles
• Military discount
• Alternative fuel vehicle discount
• Automatic payments discount
Many insurers also offer bundling discounts that give you a price break for purchasing multiple types of policies – for instance, home and auto insurance policies. To learn more about saving with this particular combination, see our rating of the Best Home and Auto Insurance Bundles and research individual insurers to discover additional bundling opportunities.
Car insurance providers offer a broad array of discounts that can vary by company. Many of the insurers in our rating of the Best Car Insurance Companies offer safe driver discounts that reward motorists for maintaining a clean driving record. It’s also common for insurers to offer discounts for paying your annual premium in full, rather than monthly, or for student drivers who get good grades.
Other types of discounts offered by car insurance companies include:
• Anti-theft device discount
• Paperless discount
• Discount for insuring multiple vehicles
• Military discount
• Alternative fuel vehicle discount
• Automatic payments discount
Many insurers also offer bundling discounts that give you a price break for purchasing multiple types of policies – for instance, home and auto insurance policies. To learn more about saving with this particular combination, see our rating of the Best Home and Auto Insurance Bundles and research individual insurers to discover additional bundling opportunities.
A number of factors influence what you pay for car insurance. These include the insurer you choose, discounts that may be available, and your driving record, among other things. Here are a few ways to help save on car insurance:
A number of factors influence what you pay for car insurance. These include the insurer you choose, discounts that may be available, and your driving record, among other things. Here are a few ways to help save on car insurance:
Shop around and compare quotes
Different insurers can charge widely varying rates for car insurance. Obtaining and comparing quotes from multiple insurers can help you find the lowest possible premium.
Different insurers can charge widely varying rates for car insurance. Obtaining and comparing quotes from multiple insurers can help you find the lowest possible premium.
Research possible discounts
Auto insurers often offer discounts, but some offer more discounts than others, and the types of discounts offered can vary by insurer. But you can save 5% to 15% or more on your annual rate by taking advantage of common savings offers such as for bundling your home and auto policies. When searching for coverage, ask about available discounts and find out if you or other drivers covered by your policy – such as a spouse or child – are eligible.
Auto insurers often offer discounts, but some offer more discounts than others, and the types of discounts offered can vary by insurer. But you can save 5% to 15% or more on your annual rate by taking advantage of common savings offers such as for bundling your home and auto policies. When searching for coverage, ask about available discounts and find out if you or other drivers covered by your policy – such as a spouse or child – are eligible.
Keep a clean driving record
A traffic infraction like a speeding ticket or DUI can cause you to pay more for car insurance. Motorists with clean driving records can generally expect to pay less.
A traffic infraction like a speeding ticket or DUI can cause you to pay more for car insurance. Motorists with clean driving records can generally expect to pay less.
Consider a higher deductible
You’ll typically pay less for a policy with a high deductible than you would with a lower one. But keep in mind that with a high deductible, you’ll pay more out of pocket when filing a claim.
You’ll typically pay less for a policy with a high deductible than you would with a lower one. But keep in mind that with a high deductible, you’ll pay more out of pocket when filing a claim.
Maintain good credit
Generally, drivers with good credit pay less for car insurance than those with poor credit. It’s worth noting, however, that some states restrict the use of credit-related information in setting car insurance rates.
Generally, drivers with good credit pay less for car insurance than those with poor credit. It’s worth noting, however, that some states restrict the use of credit-related information in setting car insurance rates.
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