Start by gathering your vehicle and driving information
Before you contact any insurance company, collect the details they will ask for. Have your driver's license ready, your vehicle identification number (VIN), and the current mileage. You will also need to know your driving history — any accidents, tickets, or claims from the past three to five years.
Insurance companies use this information to calculate your rate. The VIN tells them the exact make, model, year, and safety features of your car. Your driving record shows them the risk you represent as a driver. Having these details ready means you can get accurate quotes instead of estimates that will change later.
Decide what coverage levels you want before you start calling. Most states require liability coverage, which pays for damage you cause to someone else's car or property. You will also choose a deductible — the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. A higher deductible (like $1,000) lowers your monthly payment but means you pay more if you have an accident. A lower deductible (like $250) raises your monthly payment but costs less when you file a claim.
Key Takeaways
- Gather your driver's license, VIN, current mileage, and driving history before requesting quotes so companies can give you accurate prices.
- Compare at least three companies using the same coverage levels and deductibles so you are looking at apples-to-apples prices, not different products.
- Ask each company about discounts for bundling home and auto policies, paying in full upfront, or maintaining a clean driving record.
- Your rate will change based on where you live, how far you drive to work, and whether you use the car for business — be honest about these details.
- Review your quote before you buy to make sure the coverage matches what you chose and the company has your correct information.
Request quotes from at least three companies
Do not stop at one quote. Insurance rates vary widely between companies for the same driver and the same car. One company might charge $120 a month while another charges $180 for identical coverage. The only way to find the best price is to ask multiple insurers.
You can get quotes online, by phone, or through an agent. Online quotes are usually fastest — you fill out a form and get a number in minutes. Phone quotes let you ask questions and clarify details in real time. An agent (either independent or working for one company) can explain what each coverage option means and help you understand trade-offs.
When you request each quote, use the same coverage levels, deductibles, and limits. If you ask Company A for $100,000 in liability coverage and Company B for $300,000, you cannot compare the prices fairly. Write down what you are requesting so you can repeat it exactly to each company.
Understand what each coverage type costs
Your insurance bill is made up of separate pieces. Liability coverage is the legal minimum in most states and covers damage you cause to other people. Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your car if you hit something. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from theft, weather, vandalism, or hitting an animal. Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if someone without insurance hits you.
If you own your car outright, you can choose to skip collision and comprehensive coverage — many people do to lower their payment. If you have a loan or lease, the lender will require you to carry both. The insurance company will tell you this when you get a quote.
Each type of coverage has its own price. Liability might be $40 a month, collision $35, and comprehensive $15. When you compare quotes, look at the total, but also look at the breakdown. If one company is much cheaper on liability but much more expensive on collision, you know where the difference comes from.
Ask about discounts that apply to your situation
Insurance companies offer discounts for many reasons. Bundling your car and home insurance with the same company often saves 15 to 25 percent on your car policy. Paying your premium in full upfront instead of monthly sometimes saves 5 to 10 percent. Completing a defensive driving course can lower your rate. Some companies discount for low mileage, good grades (if you are a student), or being a long-time customer.
When you get a quote, ask what discounts you might receive. Do not assume the quote already includes them — sometimes it does not. A discount that sounds small (5 percent) can save you $50 to $100 a year. If two companies are close in price, the one with more discounts you actually may have access to for is the better deal.
Be honest about your driving habits when asking about discounts. If a company offers a low-mileage discount and you drive 30 miles a day, you do not may have access to. Lying to get a discount can void your coverage later if you have a claim.
Check the company's reputation and customer service
Price is not the only thing that matters. You want a company that will actually pay your claim when you need it and that you can reach when you have questions. Look at customer reviews on independent sites like J.D. Power or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Read what people say about claims processing — how long it took, whether the company was easy to work with, whether they paid fairly.
Call the company's customer service line with a question before you buy. See how long you wait on hold, whether the person who answers can help you, and whether they explain things clearly. If you cannot reach anyone or if the service feels dismissive, that is a sign of what dealing with them will be like later.
You can also check complaint histories through your state's insurance commissioner's office. Every state has one, and they keep records of complaints filed against insurance companies. A company with many complaints relative to its size is a red flag.
Review your quote before you commit
Once you have decided on a company, read the quote one more time before you pay. Make sure the coverage levels match what you chose — that you asked for $100,000 in liability and that is what the quote shows. Check that your vehicle information is correct: the right year, make, and model. Confirm your address, driving history, and the name of anyone else on the policy.
If anything is wrong, call the company and ask them to correct it before you buy. A quote based on incorrect information will not be the price you actually pay. Once you correct the details, ask for a new quote to make sure the price is still the same.
After you buy, you will receive a policy document in the mail or email. Read it. It will tell you exactly what is covered, what is not, and what your deductible is. Keep it somewhere you can find it quickly if you need to file a claim.
Know when to shop again
Your rate can change for many reasons: a birthday, a move to a new state or city, a new accident or ticket, a change in your car, or simply because the insurance company raises rates. Most people should shop for new quotes every year or two. If your rate goes up significantly, that is a sign to get quotes from other companies.
You can also shop when your life changes. If you get married, move, buy a different car, or start working from home instead of commuting, your rate may drop. Getting new quotes after a major change can save you money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an independent agent and a company agent?
An independent agent works with multiple insurance companies and can show you quotes from several of them. A company agent works for one insurer and can only show you that company's rates. Independent agents can be faster if you want to compare multiple companies at once, but they earn commission on what they sell, so they may push you toward higher-priced policies.
Should I always choose the cheapest quote?
Not necessarily. If one company is significantly cheaper than all the others, find out why — it might be using different assumptions about your driving or offering less coverage than you think. Compare the actual coverage and deductibles, not just the price. A company that is $20 a month cheaper but has poor customer reviews might cost you more in frustration later.
Can I change insurance companies mid-policy?
Yes. You can switch to a new company whenever you want. There is no penalty for leaving before your policy expires. However, check whether your current company will refund unused premium if you cancel early — some do, some do not. Start your new policy on the same day your old one ends so you have no gap in coverage.
Do I need to get new quotes every year?
You should at least check every one to two years. Rates change, and companies that were cheap last year might be expensive now. If you have had no accidents or tickets, you might find a better deal elsewhere. Even if you stay with the same company, asking for a quote shows you what you could pay somewhere else.
What if I have a bad driving record?
You will pay more, but you can still shop around. Some companies specialize in drivers with accidents or tickets and may offer better rates than others. Getting multiple quotes is even more important in your situation because the price differences can be large. Defensive driving courses and bundling discounts can help lower your rate.