What to Look for When Shopping for Car Insurance Quotes

Comparing car insurance quotes is a great way to minimize insurance costs and ensure you have the coverage you need. In fact, experts recommend shopping for car insurance annually to compare quotes and discounts. 

The process of shopping for auto insurance can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips to make it easy to find the best car insurance for you. For specific questions about your coverage, contact an auto insurance expert at GoAuto Insurance. 

Know What Coverage You Need 

Before you start comparing policies, you need to know what coverage you need. There are three things to consider when deciding on car insurance coverage: 

1. Your state insurance requirements. Almost all states have minimum insurance requirements. Requirements vary from state to state, but most require a minimum amount of bodily injury liability and property damage liability insurance. Before shopping for car insurance, check your state’s minimum requirements to ensure you get the coverage you need. 
2. Your lender’s insurance requirements. Most lenders have specific coverage requirements. It’s common for lenders to require full coverage insurance. This includes liability, comprehensive, and collision insurance. Some lenders also require gap coverage, which covers the difference between your loan and the value of your vehicle after depreciation.  
3. The coverage you need for peace of mind. Before shopping for car insurance, you need to think about what add-ons you want to give you peace of mind that you have the protection you need. Common add-ons include: 

• Personal injury protection: This is mandated in some states, but not all. This coverage goes toward paying expenses after an accident, regardless of who caused the accident. 
• Uninsured motorist coverage: This covers your expenses if you’re injured by a driver who does not have insurance. 
• Collision coverage: This covers the cost of repairing your car after a collision with another vehicle or a fixed object. 
• Comprehensive coverage: This covers the cost of physical damage not relating to an accident – for example, weather, a tree limb, or a collision with a deer. 

Get Multiple Car Insurance Quotes

Once you know the coverage you need, the next step is getting quotes from different car insurance companies. Doing this helps you compare plans, costs, and discounts. There are a few different ways you can get car insurance quotes: 

1. Contact each car insurance company directly and work with their agents or employees to get a personalized quote. This is often the best strategy because it lets you discuss coverage requirements, coverage options, and available discounts. 
2. Visit each auto insurance company’s website and request a quote. 
3. Contact an insurance broker or independent agent who will give you quotes from different companies. If you use this method, be firm about the coverage you need, as these agents are often compensated based on the amount of coverage they sell. 
4. Use an online comparison tool – for example, The Zebra or Insurify. 

Compare Car Insurance Quotes

Once you’ve gotten multiple quotes, you can compare them and pick the one that’s right for you. When comparing, consider the coverage options of each plan, the expense of each plan, and the available discounts from each company. 

Many car insurance companies offer some type of discount. For example, discounts for: 

• Insuring multiple vehicles
• Multiple policies/bundling 
• Teen drivers 
• Members of the military 
• Good grades
• Safety features in your car
• Safe driving 
• Low mileage 

Looking at the cost, discounts, and coverage side by side will help you find the plan that’s best for you. 

Purchase Your Insurance Coverage

Once you’ve found the right coverage, you’re ready to purchase it. Most companies allow you to purchase car insurance online and offer same-day coverage.

When purchasing car insurance, it’s key to ensure you have no gaps in coverage. Always plan for at least one day of overlap between your old insurance and your new car insurance so you know you’ll be covered. 

Contact GoAuto Insurance 

To learn more or get a quote, contact GoAuto Insurance. We work directly with customers to offer exactly the coverage they need and nothing more. 

Our model lets us offer affordable plans that meet each driver’s needs. Call us or contact us online to get a personalized auto insurance quote.