Top 5 Easiest Ways to Shop For Online Auto Insurance

Many drivers today have made the decision to shop online for auto insurance rates. Shopping around for different rate quotes may help you to save money on one of many types of auto insurance coverage. While there are different ways you can shop for rates, many consumers find shopping online to be easy and convenient.

Shopping for auto insurance rates online can be easy and convenient as well. However, there are several different ways you may choose to shop online for rates, and some methods are faster and easier than others. Try our FREE quote comparison tool by simply entering your ZIP code.

Research Average Rates Online

One way you can shop online for auto insurance today is to research average rates online. The Internet is an incredible resource to consumers. When it comes to auto insurance, you can research average auto insurance rates for other drivers in your state or city.

You can also research average rates for drivers who are your same age and gender, who drive the same vehicle you drive and more.While this option will not provide you with a direct rate quote specific to you, it can help you to determine if you may be paying too much for your current auto insurance policy.

Get Rate Quotes From a Direct Auto Insurance Company Website

If you want to get a specific rate quote customized for you, you can contact an auto insurance company directly. Some companies, such as Geico and Esurance to name a few, issue policies directly through their main office. So when you request a rate quote from these companies, you may benefit from an almost immediate response.

Each insurance company has a unique rate quote process.

Some may allow you to input your information into their system and receive a rate quote back directly after submitting your information. Others may take your information via an online form, and then you may receive a quote via email or a live phone call.

Get Rate Quotes From an Auto Insurance Company Website Through a Representative

While some auto insurance companies allow you to get quotes directly from the main office  of the company, others require you to get rate quotes through local offices. This is true for companies like State Farm, Farmers and others. You can submit your information online through the company’s main website.

The information typically will be sent to a local representative who has an office close to your home. The local representative will contact you with a direct quote once your online request has been conveyed to their office. This process can take a bit more time, but most representatives are fairly quick about responding to online rate quote requests.

Use an Auto Insurance Broker’s Services

The above options all allow you to get quotes or rate averages through the Internet. However, the direct quotes will need to be obtained one by one. You will have to contact each company individually. If you want to get five different rate quotes, you will have to fill out five different online forms on different websites.

An alternative to this is requesting a rate quote through an auto insurance broker’s website. Many auto insurance brokers’ websites have an online submission form that is similar to the form found on auto insurance companies’ websites.

When you fill out a single form on a broker’s website, however, the broker will then contact numerous companies to request quotes on your behalf. This can save you a considerable amount of time and effort.

Use a Rate Comparison Website

While some sites will give you a direct rate quote, other websites are designed to help you quickly and easily get rate estimates. There are several online rate comparison websites that you can use. Some of these websites are as simple to use as entering in your zip code.

For such minimal effort, you may receive five, seven or more different rate estimates back from larger and smaller insurance companies alike. This information can then be used to help you determine which companies you should get a direct, full rate quote from.

What Information Is Required

Before you start getting rate quotes, you should first take time to gather together some important information that insurance companies will need in order to quote a specific rate. This information includes:

• the make, model and year of your car
• your Vehicle Identification Number
• your driver’s license and social security number
• your home address and work address
• details about your driving history, including citations, accidents and claims over the last few years
• coverage and deductible amounts you are requesting

How Much Coverage You Need

When shopping for auto insurance, you do want to consider how much coverage you are purchasing. The amount of coverage being purchased will directly affect your rates, so defining this early on in the shopping process can make your time more well spent. Most states do have a minimum requirement for liability coverage.

You should take time to research your state’s requirement and use this as a starting point for coverage. Liability coverage will only pay for another driver’s damages and medical expenses, however. Because of this, many drivers will buy a collision or comprehensive policy in combination with liability coverage.

Adjusting Your Deductible

If you get a few auto insurance rate quotes back from car insurance companies and are not pleased with the amount, you can consider adjusting your deductible. Your deductible is paid by you each time you file a claim. It is adjustable at your discretion, and increasing it will directly lower your premium.

Some insurance companies will allow you to raise your deductible to $1,000 or higher. Because this is a required out-of-pocket cost if you get in an accident, it should be affordable for you to pay. However, it should also be noted that a deductible is paid only when you file a claim, whereas your premium is paid regularly. Because of this, it does make sense to adjust the deductible higher for greater savings. Take advantage of our FREE quote comparison tool by entering your ZIP.

It makes sense to shop for new auto insurance rates online. Shopping for new rate quotes can help you to identify new ways to save money on your auto insurance coverage. While there are different ways you can get rate quotes today, shopping online is convenient. You can consider shopping for rates online using any of the above methods. Also consider how adjusting the coverage and deductible may alter your premium costs.