Updated 25 Jan 2024 
8 Minute Read
What Information Do You Need For Car Insurance?
For many, car insurance is a necessary expense. But if you find yourself with questions about what it covers and how to get the best rate possible, don’t worry — all your answers are right here!
For most Americans who drive cars in this country, auto insurance coverage is mandatory. Drivers themselves and those around them need to know what their policy will cover before they buy. There can be significant consequences for not having enough or any at all when an accident occurs. Here’s everything you need to know about quotes so that shopping won’t feel like such a daunting task.
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1. Personal Information
Your age, gender, and education level will dictate the cost of your auto insurance, as this information can predict how likely you will have an accident. For example, teenage drivers generally have higher insurance rates because they’re more likely to get in a car accident.
2. Driving History
Your driving record is a significant factor in the price of your insurance. If you’ve had accidents, speeding tickets, or DUIs before, this will be reflected in your future quotes as there is an increased chance of those situations occurring again. This can also mean higher prices if you are new to driving, as insurers must anticipate potential risks since they know nothing about who’s behind the wheel.
3. Vehicle Details
Copies of your vehicle registration are needed to prove ownership as well as any details or features of your car. The insurance company will want specific information like make and model and any security or anti-theft devices installed within the vehicle. They’ll also need an estimate of how many miles you drive per year to understand just how much you’re on the road.
4. Banking Information
When you choose a policy, you need to provide payment information such as a credit card or bank account. A voided check for verification purposes may be requested. It’s wise to sign up for automatic payments, so you never miss an installment!
Your credit history could also potentially affect the cost of your auto insurance. Insurers look at how likely you are to file a claim based on what’s in your credit-based insurance score – which is similar (but not identical) to an ordinary credit score. However, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Washington do not permit insurers to use credit history when determining car insurance rates.
5. Coverage Information
New Hampshire and Virginia are the only two states that don’t require drivers to have insurance. Each state has a different minimum amount of coverage, but there is no one country-wide rule on how much car insurance you must provide to drive on public roads legally.
Aside from the coverage required by law in your state, you will need to determine how much insurance is necessary based on your requirements. The common types of car insurance include:
Liability insurance
Liability insurance is a necessity for every driver. It can be the difference between living comfortably after an accident and being in debt for years to come, so make sure you have it! Liability coverage pays out if you cause any accidents and damage another person’s property or injure them. Most states require all drivers to carry at least this amount of liability coverages on their cars; anything less could result in hefty fines.
Collision insurance
74% of car owners purchase collision coverage, based on a Triple-I analysis of 2018 NAIC data.
Collision coverage pays for damage to your car caused by collisions with another person or object. The deductible may vary from company to company, but there will always be an amount you pay out of pocket before the insurance coverage kicks in. Some insurers have a higher deductible than others and vice versa, so if price matters, do not forget about this important feature when choosing an auto insurer!
Comprehensive insurance
78% of insured drivers purchase comprehensive coverage in addition to liability insurance, based on a Triple-I analysis of 2018 NAIC data.
Comprehensive insurance covers a range of unfortunate events that could happen to your car. It pays out if the thief gets away or when you accidentally back into someone else’s bumper. Comprehensive insurance can even cover damage from natural disasters like floods, fires, animals in the road or falling objects.
Most insurers offer additional coverage beyond the three common types of car insurance, such as:
- Gap insurance
- Rental car reimbursement coverage
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
6. Other Information to Qualify for Discounts
You can earn discounts on your insurance plan by asking which ones are available and providing proof of eligibility. You may need to show:
- Proof of good grades with a recent report card
- Military I.D. card
- Proof of being a homeowner/having home insurance
- Proof of membership to a qualifying organization
- Completion certificate for a safe driving course
How to Get Fast & Free Car Insurance Quotes
Are you looking for the fastest way to find car insurance quotes for free? Lucky for you, you’ve come to the right place!
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Getting Auto Insurance Quotes Online
You can save money and time by shopping around for car insurance quotes. You’ll never know how much you could be saving if you don’t take the initiative to find it out with a few quick clicks!
Auto Insurance Quotes Over the Phone
Many auto insurance providers offer their quotes over the phone. This is an excellent option for those commuters who do not want to spend hours negotiating rates and finding coverage information independently. Contact us at 1 (844) 612-0518 for more information.
What Affects Car Insurance Quotes?
The insurance rates for your car may depend on various factors, such as where you live, the type of car you drive, and how much it’s worth. You can also get discounts if you have security features installed in your vehicle or if you’re a safe driver.
Car Insurance History
Your car insurance history plays a major role in determining your auto insurance quote:
- If you have an insurance lapse, even if your car is not in use, it could raise coverage costs. Non-owner auto insurance can help protect against this issue and keep rates more affordable for those who need to drive occasionally.
- If you are in an accident and your car is damaged, it will raise the cost of your insurance by 50%. You can avoid this increase with a policy that has “accident forgiveness.”
- While many Insurance companies will often provide you with loyalty discounts, they will raise rates on customers if they believe you won’t switch providers. This is called price optimization.
- If you’re switching insurance providers, your new insurer may want to know if the previous company was standard or nonstandard. According to a study from the Consumer Federation of America, people who used high-risk drivers are more likely to increase their rates with new companies than those using low-risk policies that provide regular coverage for average customers.
- Questions you’ve raised with an insurance agent, even if a claim is not filed. Increasing insurance rates based only on an inquiry is banned in some states, but not all.
How Often you Drive
Your driving record can make a big difference to the final insurance quote you get, but it is not your only option. A history of accidents and speeding tickets will increase rates, but a lack of driving experience with no accidents or tickets on their track records may be cheaper depending on the company. So, if you’re new to driving, it’s important to shop around.
Age and Gender
Insurers use your age and gender to predict how likely you are to be in a car accident, which affects the cost of your insurance quote. For instance, drivers aged 18 pay $3,858 on average for their annual car insurance. Teen drivers have higher rates because of their age group’s statistics on accidents and high driving speeds, putting them at an increased risk for crashing. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:
- Drivers aged 16 to 19 are three times more likely to be in a car accident.
- In 2015, drivers between 15 and 20 accounted for 10% of all fatal accidents, accounting for 7% of all licensed drivers.
Your Specific Coverage and Insurance Options
The cost of car insurance is impacted by the coverage you choose. If more protection is needed, prices will typically be higher. The best example? In 1997, Rowan Atkinson claimed $1,497,560 after crashing his McLaren F1 sports car!
Where You Live
Location is a key factor in determining how much you will have to pay for car insurance. In addition, the amount of coverage required to drive legally varies by state and affects your average rates.
Type of Car You Drive
You may be surprised the make and model of your car, as well as its safety features, can affect how much you get charged for auto insurance. Luxury vehicles cost more to repair since they are usually equipped with expensive technology or equipment that increases their value when totaled on an accident report. Your vehicle’s theft risk will also factor into what kind of rate quote you receive.
How to Save on Your Auto Insurance
It’s important to shop around for car insurance quotes regularly to ensure the best policy and cheapest auto insurance rates out there. Even if you have a clean driving record or are happy with your company—you might just be able to get better coverage elsewhere. Below are additional ways you can save on your car insurance.
Increase your Deductible
For car owners concerned about their monthly premiums, the best way to save money is by raising your deductibles. However, after a collision or comprehensive claim, you will be responsible for paying even more out of pocket if you have opted for lower coverage to get cheaper rates each month.
Bundle Car Insurance with your Home
The idea of bundling two policies into one is a clever way for you to get all the coverage that you need while paying less than what it would cost if they were purchased individually. Some insurance companies will even give you significant discounts for switching over to their services when you bundle!
Be a Defensive Driver
Being a cautious driver not only saves lives but saves you money on your policy. Car insurance is often expensive for drivers with a history of car accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other violations in the past three to five years.
Keep Working on Your Credit
You might not think that your credit score would matter when it comes to buying car insurance. If you have poor credit and a good driving record, you could pay almost the same amount as someone who has a DUI!
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