Auto insurance in Indiana education and training will teach you how to evaluate multiple auto insurance policies and recommend the best one to benefit your customer. You may also need to know about the insurance business in general.

The requirements needed to work for car insurance companies in Indiana are determined by the state and also depend on the type of auto insurance coverage being issued. There are three general categories of car insurance coverage:

1. Collision car insurance in Indiana covers damage to the car due to a collision with some object. The cause of collision damage is typically another car but may also be a falling rock or branch. If the insured driver is at fault, collision coverage will generally cover the repair cost up to the coverage limit after the deductible has been paid.
2. Complete insurance covers damage to the insured driver’s vehicle caused by something other than collision. Non-collision damage typically includes damage due to burglary, fire and corrosive liquids.
3. Liability covers damages to other persons or other property that is the fault of the insured driver. It typically includes damage to other vehicles, medical bills of other people and legal expenses.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Complete the courses needed to work for auto insurance companies in Indiana

There are a variety of on-site universities and distance learning classes that teach students the various aspects of Indiana auto insurance. These courses should be updated frequently to reflect changes in federal and Indiana insurance law.

I recommend: Ivy Tech Community College provides training that meets the pre-licensing requirements of the Indiana Department of Insurance. Insurance Career Training provides insurance pre-licensing courses for all types of insurance.

Learn the laws regarding Indiana auto insurance providers

Auto insurance brokers and agents in Indiana will need to be familiar with the state laws about their profession. The required coverage limits on auto insurance vary widely by state.

I recommend: Title 760 of the Indiana Administrative Code issued by the Indiana General Assembly covers the insurance regulations in Indiana. Leading Insurance Quotes provides the coverage limits and other information on car insurance in Indiana.

Obtain the license required by Indiana car insurance companies

Indiana has four different types of insurance licenses: a life insurance agent, life insurance broker, property and casualty insurance agent and property and casualty insurance broker. Get licensing information necessary for a career in IN auto insurance.

I recommend: The Indiana Department of Insurance provides extensive information on obtaining insurance licenses in Indiana. LawInfo lists the requirements for obtaining an insurance license in Indiana and also answers other specific questions on Indiana insurance licenses. Indiana requires that insurance licensees take 20 hours of continuing education every two years; Kaplan Financial offers online course materials to meet the requirement.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Auto insurance companies in Indiana should set themselves apart by becoming a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU). This designation is respected throughout the insurance industry and identifies the holder as a dedicated and knowledgeable professional. A variety of insurance professionals may become CPCUs such as agents, brokers, claim adjusters and risk managers. Many attorneys, consultants and educators may also hold the CPCU designation.

Car insurance in Indiana, like gas or rent, is expensive yet necessary. It doesn't just protect your car from dents; it protects you and other drivers from both bodily harm and financial ruin. For that reason, Indiana car insurance coverage isn't just something that drivers in the "Hoosier State" should have; it's something they must have.

Indiana auto insurance coverage doesn’t have to break the bank. You may be able to save by shopping around, declining unnecessary coverage and trading high deductibles for lower premiums. Indeed, you can cut costs, but you can't cut corners. If you drive in Indiana, you need auto insurance in Indiana. Here's what kind and how much, according to Indiana state law:

1. When buying auto insurance in Indiana, drivers must purchase bodily injury liability (BIL), property damage liability (PDL) and uninsured motorist bodily injury (UM) coverage; collision, comprehensive and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage are recommended, but not required.
2. Auto insurance in Indiana must include BIL coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for costs associated with the injury or death of others in a wreck.
3. Auto insurance in Indiana must include PDL coverage of at least $10,000 for damage to another person's property in an accident.
4. In Indiana, car insurance must include at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured motorist bodily injury (UM) coverage, in the event that you’re in an accident with an uninsured or hit-and-run driver, not to mention at least $10,000 in uninsured property coverage and at least $50,000 in underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Browse Indiana auto insurance rates online

If you need Indiana auto insurance, online quotes are a good starting point. Available from all major auto insurance companies in Indiana, they offer a fast and convenient way to research and compare premiums.

I recommend: Get comprehensive online quotes from Indiana 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 Indiana car insurance quotes from national providers

Most major car insurance carriers offer auto insurance in Indiana and all provide competitive Indiana auto insurance rates.

I recommend: Among the largest and most popular car insurance companies in Indiana are AIG, Allstate, Chubb, Farmers, GEICO, The Hartford, Liberty Mutual and State Farm. National associations like AAA and AARP are also good sources for affordable auto insurance in Indiana.

Get car insurance in Indiana from local and regional companies

In Indiana, auto insurance rates can vary dramatically; for some of the most affordable, consider locally based providers.

I recommend: For automotive insurance in Indiana, try Indiana-based companies like Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, Indiana Insurance and Indiana Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. Also consider local programs, like the Indiana Automobile Insurance Plan, which is designed for drivers who can't easily find auto insurance in Indiana.

Use an independent agent to find Indiana car insurance bargains

Buying car insurance in Indiana via an independent insurance agent can expose you to new resources, practical advice and special rates.

I recommend: To find an independent agent who can sell you car insurance in Indiana, use the “find an independent agent” feature at the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana website.

Choose Indiana auto insurance companies that you can trust

Before doing business with Indiana car insurance providers, review their records with consumers to make sure they are reliable, reputable and responsible.

I recommend: If you subscribe to Consumer Reports, you can check up on car insurance companies in Indiana. Another good resource is the Indiana Department of Insurance, which compiles statistics on complaints against auto insurance companies in Indiana.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider buying more coverage than is required by state law; minimum Indiana car insurance might not be enough to cover car repairs or medical bills after an accident.
• •  Penalties for drivers who don't have Indiana car insurance include driver's license suspension and cash fines.
• •  If you're leasing or financing your car, dealerships might require you to have more and better Indiana auto insurance than is required by state law.
• •  Higher deductibles typically mean lower premiums and more monthly savings on auto insurance in Indiana.
• •  In lieu of Indiana auto insurance, drivers there can opt to cover themselves with a bond, a certificate of self-insurance or by depositing $40,000 in cash or securities with the state.

If you are a resident of Indiana and need to get automobile insurance, auto insurance in Indiana basics will help you get started. Whether you need to insure an entire fleet of your company's vehicles or just your own car, comparing Indiana auto insurance providers and deciding which one can provide the best plan for your car insurance needs is important. Before you can commit to one company, you should get to know the minimum requirements for automobile insurance in Indiana.

As with any type of insurance, several factors will play into your Indiana auto insurance rates. During your search for insurance, you should remember the following:

1. Find out the minimum insurance you need in Indiana.
   
2. Learn the necessary information before you contact an Indiana car insurance company.
3. Request quotes from car insurance companies in Indiana.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get to know the minimum requirements for car insurance in IN

Before you start a new car insurance plan in Indiana, you need to make yourself aware of the minimum coverage required of your state's residents. Indiana auto insurance minimums are 25/50/10, which means that you are covered up to $25,000 for every individual injury in a car accident. The second number means that $50,000 is allowed per accident, and the total that insurance would pay for any property damage is $10,000. Indiana does not require uninsured motorist coverage, though some states do.

I recommend: Visit CarInsurance.com or Auto Insurance In-Depth to become familiar with auto insurance requirements in Indiana.

Have the correct information on hand before you check out insurance companies in Indiana

Prior to obtaining an accurate quote for auto insurance in Indiana, you should know some pertinent information about your car and driving record. You will probably be asked for the make, model and year of your car before any company provides you with a quote, so make sure you know this information beforehand. Your zip code also has much to do with what your insurance rates will be, so you will need to enter your address as well.

I recommend: State Farm lets you know what information you will need before you get a quote, such as any past accidents and current odometer reading. 2Insure4Less.com asks for your full name, zip code, and whether you already have auto insurance.

Obtain Indiana auto insurance quotes online

Most Indiana car insurance companies will gladly send a quote to your email address. After you fill out your basic insurance needs, you can typically expect to get a quote by the next business day. This means you have the convenience of shopping around and comparing quotes from companies that provide car insurance in Indiana without leaving your office chair.

I recommend: Get an online quote for automotive insurance in Indiana from Amica. Progressive also allows you to find out your possible Indiana auto insurance rates online.

Indiana auto insurance providers know what state laws and regulations you need to meet for car insurance. They also know, based upon your circumstances, what coverage limits will benefit your family or business the most if you, family members or employees are ever in a car accident.

In 2006, Indiana residents paid an average of $631 in annual auto insurance premiums (compared to the national average of $817). That said, it is virtually impossible to provide a clear cut range on auto insurance in Indiana pricing and costs, because coverage needs vary from person to person depending on the number of vehicles, the age and condition of the vehicles, driving records of all individuals to have coverage, and the like. However, there are several ways to obtain Indiana auto insurance quotes:

1. Get rates from several providers at once for auto insurance in Indiana by going to an independent insurance agent.

2. Large nationwide companies provide quotes that meet state legal requirements for car insurance in IN.

3. Individuals on a tight budget can obtain Indiana auto insurance quotes for minimum coverage.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use independent agents to find car insurance companies in Indiana

In order to support your local economy, you may want to consider purchasing Indiana auto insurance from an independent agent. Most agents that own their insurance brokerages or agencies aren't associated with any one well-known provider, but search the policies from several providers to find you the best possible rate to fit your needs.

I recommend: Begin the quote request process to find auto insurance companies in Indiana with independent agents such as the Jensen Insurance Agency, A-1 Insurance, The Merritt Hall Insurance Agency or Old National Insurance.

Consider nationally recognized insurance companies in Indiana

There are several Indiana car insurance companies that are actually on a national level. The benefits to using these agencies tend to be cheaper rates, because they have such a large customer base, as well as customer service 24 hours a day, seven days a week (as opposed to an independent agent, who is typically only reachable during regular business hours). Consider going with companies that have offices in Indiana, so that you know the person assisting you is at least within your region.

I recommend: Get a quote from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance on auto coverage that includes bodily injury, property damage liability, medical expense coverage and more. Use Allstate’s Ballpark Estimator to obtain a rough idea of what you would pay for insurance, without providing personal information like most quote requests require.

Meet minimum coverage requirements for car insurance in Indiana

By law, you must have minimum liability coverage in the state of Indiana. If you get caught without minimum coverage, then your license is suspended for 90 days. A first offense carries a license reinstatement fee of $150; the second offense is $225 and the third offense is $300. Should you be found at fault in an accident and not have minimum insurance coverage, the injured parties can (and likely will) sue you for their medical bills, leaving your personal assets at stake.

I recommend: Learn more about the minimum coverage requirements in Indiana from Auto Insurance Tips. The Indiana Department of Insurance shows what factors contribute to the different rates an insurance company charges. Be sure that the insurance companies you obtain quotes from are considering all of these factors fairly.