Getting quotes takes 15 to 30 minutes per insurer and requires basic information about you and your car

To get a car insurance quote, you need your driver's license, vehicle identification number (VIN), and current coverage details if you have them. Most insurers let you start online, by phone, or through an agent. You'll answer questions about your driving history, how you use the car, and what coverage you want. The insurer then gives you a price for that specific coverage level.

You don't need to buy anything to get a quote — it's free information. Getting quotes from three to five insurers takes a few hours total and shows you the real price differences. Some companies quote in minutes; others take a day or two to send results. The quote is usually valid for 30 to 60 days, so you have time to decide.

Key Takeaways

  • Have your driver's license, VIN, and current policy information ready before you start requesting quotes.
  • Online quotes are fastest, but phone quotes let you ask questions and sometimes reveal discounts the website doesn't mention.
  • Quotes from the same insurer can vary by $200 or more depending on the coverage limits and deductibles you choose.
  • Compare the same coverage levels across insurers, not just the lowest price, because what's included differs between companies.
  • Save your quotes and the dates you received them so you can track which insurer was cheapest for your situation.

What information you need before you start

Gather these documents before you contact any insurer. Having them ready means you won't have to stop mid-quote to find something, and you'll get more accurate prices the first time.

Driver's license: The insurer needs your license number, state, and the date it was issued. They'll also check your driving record — accidents, tickets, and violations all affect your rate.

Vehicle identification number (VIN): This 17-character code is on your registration, insurance card, or the dashboard on the driver's side. The VIN tells the insurer the exact make, model, year, and safety features of your car, which changes the price. If you're shopping for a car you don't own yet, you can use the VIN from the dealer's listing.

Current policy information: If you already have insurance, have that policy in front of you. The insurer will ask what coverage you have now and may use it as a starting point. If you're switching, knowing your current limits helps you decide whether to keep the same coverage or change it.

Driving history details: Be ready to report accidents and tickets from the past three to five years. The insurer will verify this through their own records, so don't leave anything out — they'll find it anyway.

Getting quotes online versus by phone

Online quotes are the fastest route. You fill out a form, submit it, and many insurers show you a price within minutes. Some send quotes by email within a few hours. Online quotes work well if you know what coverage you want and just need to compare prices.

Phone quotes take longer — usually 15 to 30 minutes per call — but an agent can explain what each coverage type does and why you might need it. Agents sometimes mention discounts that don't show up on the website, like bundling home and auto insurance, or discounts for paying in full upfront. If you're unsure about coverage levels or have an unusual situation (like a teenage driver or a salvage title), a phone quote gives you a chance to ask.

Many people do both: get quick online quotes to see the price range, then call one or two insurers to ask about discounts and confirm the details. This takes about an hour total and usually saves money compared to picking the first quote you see.

Choosing the coverage levels that affect your quote

The same insurer will quote you very different prices depending on what coverage you choose. These are the main decisions that change the cost:

Liability limits: This covers damage you cause to someone else's car or property. States set a minimum (often $25,000 per person), but you can buy more. Raising your limit from $25,000 to $100,000 per person usually costs $10 to $30 more per month but protects you if you cause a serious accident.

Collision and comprehensive deductibles: A deductible is what you pay out of pocket if you file a claim. A $500 deductible costs less per month than a $250 deductible, but you pay more if you have an accident. If your car is worth less than $5,000, a higher deductible ($1,000) can make sense because the insurance payout won't be large anyway.

Uninsured motorist coverage: This protects you if someone without insurance hits you. It's required in some states and optional in others. If it's optional where you live, most people add it because uninsured drivers are common.

When you get quotes, ask each insurer for the same coverage levels so you can actually compare prices. If one quote includes $50,000 liability and another includes $100,000, you're not comparing the same thing.

Comparing quotes side by side

Create a simple spreadsheet or document with the insurer name, quote amount, coverage limits, deductible, and any discounts mentioned. Line them up so you can see which company is cheapest for the exact coverage you want.

Don't pick based on price alone. A quote $20 cheaper per month might come from an insurer with poor customer service or slow claims processing. Read a few reviews on independent sites (not the insurer's own website) to see what customers say about filing claims and getting help.

Also note which insurers mentioned discounts you actually use. If you have a clean driving record, bundled home insurance, or a car with safety features, some insurers give discounts for these things. A company that mentions a 15% safe driver discount might end up cheaper than one with a lower base rate but no discounts.

Discounts that change your final price

Most insurers offer discounts that aren't always obvious in the initial quote. Ask about these when you call or look for them on the website:

Multi-policy bundling: Combining auto and home insurance with the same company usually saves 10% to 25% on both policies. This is often the biggest discount available.

Safe driver discounts: No accidents or tickets in three to five years usually qualifies you. The discount ranges from 5% to 30% depending on the insurer.

Safety feature discounts: Anti-theft devices, automatic emergency braking, and backup cameras can lower your rate by 5% to 10%.

Paid-in-full discounts: Paying your annual premium upfront instead of monthly sometimes saves 5% to 10%.

Low-mileage discounts: If you drive fewer than 7,500 miles per year, some insurers reduce your rate by 10% to 15%.

When you compare quotes, ask each insurer which discounts you may have access to for and what the price would be after applying them. The final number after discounts is what matters.

What to do after you've collected quotes

Once you have quotes from three to five insurers, take a day or two before deciding. Look at the coverage levels, the final price after discounts, and what you've read about the company's customer service. You're not locked in — you can switch insurers whenever your policy renews or even before if you find a better rate.

When you're ready to buy, the insurer will ask for payment information and a start date. Most let you choose when coverage begins, so you can time it to match your current policy's end date if you're switching. If you're buying insurance for the first time, you can usually start coverage the same day or the next day.

Keep your quotes and the dates you received them. Insurance rates change, and getting new quotes every six months or after a major life change (moving, getting married, buying a new car) can show you whether you're still getting a good deal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do insurance companies check my credit score when I get a quote?

Most insurers check your credit as part of the quoting process, though some do a soft check that doesn't affect your credit score. A few companies don't use credit at all. If you're worried about your credit, ask the insurer before you start whether they do a hard or soft pull. Either way, the check happens whether you buy or not.

Can I get a quote without giving my Social Security number?

You can get an initial quote online without a Social Security number, but if you decide to buy, the insurer will ask for it before finalizing your policy. They need it to verify your identity and check your driving record through the state.

What if my quote changes when I actually buy the policy?

Small changes are normal — the final quote might be slightly different if you change coverage levels or if the insurer finds additional information during underwriting. If the difference is large, ask the insurer why. If you're not comfortable with the new price, you can cancel before the policy starts and keep looking.

How long is a quote valid?

Most quotes are valid for 30 to 60 days. After that, the insurer may need to re-quote you because rates change or your situation may have changed. If you're holding multiple quotes, check the expiration date on each one before you decide.

Do I need to get quotes from every major insurer?

Three to five quotes usually show you the price range and help you find the best deal. Getting quotes from every company takes many hours and rarely changes the outcome. Focus on the insurers that are available in your state and have decent customer reviews.