Key Takeaways
- Your VIN, found on the driver's side dashboard or door jamb, tells the insurer the exact model, safety features, and repair costs for your car.
- Annual mileage, commute distance, and how you use the car (daily driving, occasional use, or business) directly affect your premium.
- The insurer will pull your driving record automatically, so be honest about accidents and violations — they will find out anyway.
- If other people drive your car regularly, list them by name and date of birth, because unlisted drivers can void your coverage.
- Current coverage limits and deductibles from any existing policy help the new insurer quote you accurately and avoid gaps.
Vehicle Identification and Basic Details
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the first thing an insurer needs. It is a 17-character code that uniquely identifies your car. You can find it on the lower left corner of your windshield on the driver's side, on the driver's side door jamb, or in your registration paperwork. The VIN tells the insurer the exact year, make, model, engine type, and safety features of your vehicle — information that directly affects repair costs and risk.
Beyond the VIN, have the current odometer reading ready. Insurers ask for annual mileage because people who drive less tend to have fewer accidents. If you work from home or use your car only on weekends, that matters. You will also need to know whether the car is financed, leased, or owned outright. If you are financing or leasing, the lender or leasing company is a lienholder, and the insurer needs their name and address so they can be notified if coverage lapses.
Your Driving History and License Information
Have your driver's license number and state of issue ready. The insurer will run your driving record through the Department of Motor Vehicles automatically, so they will see any accidents, traffic violations, or suspensions on your record. Do not try to hide anything — it will show up, and dishonesty can lead to denial of a claim later.
Be prepared to describe any accidents or violations from the past three to five years, depending on the insurer's policy. You will need the date, location, and whether you were at fault. If you received a ticket, know whether it was a moving violation (speeding, running a light) or a non-moving violation (parking, equipment). Some insurers care more about recent violations than old ones, and some forgive a single accident if enough time has passed, but they need the facts to make that decision.
Information About Other Drivers
List anyone who drives your car regularly — a spouse, adult child, roommate, or partner. The insurer needs their full name, date of birth, relationship to you, and driver's license number. "Regularly" usually means more than once a month, though definitions vary by insurer. If someone drives your car and is not listed on the policy, and they cause an accident, the claim may be denied.
You do not need to list occasional drivers — a friend who borrows the car once a year, or a valet. But if someone has a permanent or semi-permanent presence in your household and drives the car, they belong on the policy. If a household member has a suspended license or a serious driving record, some insurers will refuse to cover the car unless that person is excluded in writing, meaning they cannot drive it under any circumstances.
How You Use the Car
Insurers ask whether you use the car for commuting, and if so, how many miles per week. Commuting to a job is different from occasional personal use, and business use (like delivering packages or driving for a rideshare service) is different still. Each category carries different risk and different rates. Be honest about your actual use — if you say you drive 5,000 miles a year for personal use only, but you actually commute 40 miles a day, the insurer can deny a claim if they discover the discrepancy.
Some insurers also ask whether the car is garaged overnight, whether it is parked on the street or in a driveway, and whether it is in an area with high theft rates. These details affect the cost of comprehensive coverage (which covers theft and weather damage). If you park in a garage, say so — it lowers your premium.
Coverage and Deductible Preferences
If you already have car insurance, have your current policy in front of you. The insurer will ask about your current liability limits (the amount they pay if you cause an accident), collision coverage limits, comprehensive coverage limits, and deductibles. Knowing what you have now helps you decide what to keep and what to change. It also prevents gaps — if your old policy expires before the new one starts, you could be uninsured for a day or two.
If you do not have insurance yet, the insurer will ask what deductible you want. A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. Higher deductibles (like $1,000) lower your monthly premium; lower deductibles (like $250) raise it. There is no single right answer — it depends on how much you can afford to pay if you have an accident.
Personal Information and Payment Details
The insurer needs your full legal name, date of birth, and current address. If you have moved recently, provide both your old and new address, because the insurer may check your history. You will also need to provide a phone number and email address for contact and policy delivery.
For payment, have a bank account number and routing number ready if you want to set up automatic payments, or a credit card number if you prefer to pay by card. Some insurers offer a discount for automatic payments. You will also need to decide whether you want to pay monthly, every six months, or annually — paying in full usually costs less than paying monthly.
What to Have Ready Before You Quote
Gather these documents and information before you call an insurer or start an online quote: your VIN, current mileage, driver's license, the names and birthdates of other household drivers, your current insurance policy (if you have one), and information about any accidents or violations in the past five years. If the car is financed or leased, have the lender's or leasing company's name and address. If you are switching insurers, have your current policy number and the date it expires.
Having everything in one place takes 10 minutes and saves you from having to search for information mid-quote or call back later. It also means the quote you receive is based on accurate information, so the price will not change when you actually buy the policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to tell the insurer about an accident if it was not my fault?
Yes. Even accidents where you were not at fault go on your record and affect your rate, though usually less than accidents where you were at fault. The insurer will find out through the DMV anyway, so disclose it upfront. Some insurers offer accident forgiveness programs that waive the rate increase for your first accident.
What if I do not know my VIN?
Check your vehicle registration, insurance card, or loan paperwork — the VIN is on all of them. If you cannot find it, look at the lower left corner of your windshield from outside the car, or open the driver's side door and look at the door jamb. If you still cannot locate it, call your local DMV with your license plate number and they can provide it.
Can I get a quote without listing other drivers?
Yes, but the quote will not be accurate if other people drive the car regularly. Once you add them, the rate may go up or down depending on their age and driving record. It is better to include them from the start so you know the real cost before you buy.
What happens if I lie about my mileage or how I use the car?
If you cause an accident and the insurer discovers you misrepresented your use, they can deny the claim. For example, if you said you drive 5,000 miles a year but actually commute 100 miles a day, the insurer may refuse to pay. Always be truthful on your application.
Do I need to update my information if I move or change jobs?
Yes. If you move to a different state or a different area within your state, or if your commute changes significantly, contact your insurer. Your address and commute distance affect your rate, and some states require you to update your information within a certain timeframe after moving.