Car Insurance Quotes

Guide to Car Insurance Quotes

Strategies to help you find affordable automotive insurance rates and quotes
By Matt Alderton

Car insurance quotes are definitely more science than art. To calculate them, insurance companies use complicated formulas that include your age, gender and history, as well as the year, make and model of your car. The resulting auto insurance quotes make perfect sense to insurers, but often read like Greek to insured consumers.

Car insurance quotes don’t have to make perfect sense in order to be perfectly affordable, though. In fact, because the insurance industry is so competitive, quotes for auto insurance are more reasonable than most drivers give them credit for. Indeed, discounted automotive insurance rates and quotes abound for motorists who are willing to sniff them out. Among the best places to look:

1. Insurance search engines, where you can compare multiple quotes for auto insurance.
2. Insurance company websites, where you get instant auto insurance quotes.
3. Independent insurance agents, who often have access to special quotes for car insurance.
4. Professional associations, which often negotiate discounts on auto insurance quotes for their members.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get and compare multiple car insurance quotes online If you need quotes for car insurance, the Internet is a good starting point. Available from all major car insurance companies, online car insurance quotes offer a fast and convenient way to research and compare premiums.

I recommend:  Get instant auto insurance quotes from car insurance providers at websites like InsWeb, Insurance.com, InsuranceUSA and InsuranceFinder, or from companies like Progressive and Esurance, which quote both their own and competitors' rates.

Solicit quotes for car insurance from major insurance companies Most major auto insurance carriers offer competitive automotive insurance rates and quotes. If you've got a company in mind, go straight to the source in order to get its car insurance quotes online.

I recommend:  Among the country’s largest and most popular car insurance providers are AIG, Allstate, Chubb, Farmers, GEICO, The Hartford, Liberty Mutual and State Farm.

Get car insurance quotes from local car insurance companies Automotive insurance rates and quotes can vary dramatically; for some of the most affordable, consider local providers.

I recommend:  You can find local car insurance companies at Business.com, where you can select your state from within its national automotive insurance directory. Your state’s insurance department can also provide you with a list of companies that are licensed to sell car insurance where you live, complete with websites or phone numbers through which you can get personalized car insurance quotes.

Use an independent agent to find cheap auto insurance quotes Getting car insurance quotes via an independent insurance agent can expose you to new resources, practical advice and, most importantly, special car insurance rates.

I recommend:  To find an independent agent who can give you auto insurance rates in your town, search the member directory at the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America.

Consider getting car insurance quotes from associations Membership groups, like trade associations, professional guilds and even warehouse clubs, often offer exclusive car insurance rates to their members.

I recommend:  National associations like AAA and AARP are good sources for affordable car insurance quotes, as is just about any club or group to which you belong — even Costco.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• The best and easiest way to secure the lowest car insurance quotes is to maintain a good driving record.
• In many states, certain demographics can get instant savings on auto insurance quotes; among them are good students, seniors and farmers.
• To get better car insurance quotes, do all your insurance shopping in one place; many providers offer discounts to customers who have multiple policies with them.
• If you want better automotive insurance rates and quotes, consider choosing a higher deductible, which typically translates into lower premiums and more monthly savings.
• Safety can almost guarantee you better car insurance rates and quotes; for potential savings, consider taking a defensive driving course or buying a car with airbags, anti-lock breaks or an anti-theft system.
• In some states, driving a hybrid car or a car that uses alternative fuels will get you cheaper car insurance quotes.