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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
How do I get a car insurance quote?
1. Determine your priorities
Insurance is a highly-individualized product, and every driver has different needs to meet in terms of both coverage and budget. Knowing what you’re looking for in an insurance company can help you pick a personalized policy that checks all of your boxes. For instance, are you willing to spend a little more for coverage if the company offers top-notch customer service? If so, you may want to research customer satisfaction by reviewing the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.
Setting a budget for your car insurance will also help you (or your agent) better understand which companies and policies may work for you. For instance, if finding the lowest rate is important to you, it could be best to request minimum coverage quotes from the cheapest car insurance companies.
Regardless of your priorities, knowing what you’re looking for is the first step in finding the best coverage at the best price.
2. Build your desired coverage package
Once you know how much you can spend, you can build your desired coverage package. It can be a good idea to know what coverage options you need before requesting quotes so that you can request the same package from each company. Comparing quotes that are as similar as possible is essential in ensuring you are getting a competitive rate.
When choosing the right cheap car insurance for your budget, there are a few things to consider. Is your vehicle financed? If so, you’ll likely need full coverage insurance, and your lienholder may have stipulations regarding your deductible amount. If you’re leasing, you will probably have requirements for your liability limits. Additionally, carrying above your state’s minimum required insurance can provide important financial protection for what could be a small premium increase. If you have questions when building your coverage package, reviewing your current auto declarations page or discussing your options with a licensed agent can be helpful.
Bankrate’s take: If you’re shaky on what coverage options exist (or how car insurance works in general), you might find it helpful to review our guide to car insurance before embarking on your quest for a new policy.
Learn more: Bankrate's Guide to Car Insurance
3. Gather the information you will need
Although it may be possible to get anonymous car insurance quotes, these rates are generally not very accurate. To avoid this, you will want to have some information handy, including:
- Driver information: You will need to provide basic information for all the drivers you'd like included on your quote (names and birthdays, for example). While you probably won't need their driver's license numbers during the quoting process, you will need them to purchase the policy — you may want to gather this information now to make it easier to purchase the policy later. Additionally, the company may run your insurance-based credit score if you live in one of the states that allows insurance companies to consider your credit score as part of calculating your car insurance rate.
- Vehicle information: Providing your vehicle identification number (or VIN) when requesting a quote can help ensure that you receive all the vehicle safety discounts you may be eligible for.
- Driving history: It's vital to give a detailed account of the accidents, tickets and suspensions you and any other drivers have received over the last three to 10 years. This is because most companies don't run driving records until you decide to purchase the policy. Failure to provide this information during the process could result in a quoted premium that is artificially low.
4. Request free car insurance quotes
Once you know what you want to spend and what coverage options you need, you can begin gathering free car insurance quotes. There are three main avenues to take when requesting free quotes, each with its own advantages:
- Shop for auto insurance online: Many companies now allow customers to request free online car insurance quotes through their websites. After providing some personal information, you can then select the coverage types and limits that you want. Some companies may let you start the policy immediately with a payment, while others may finish the process by having one of their representatives call you over the phone.
- Contact a captive insurance agent: A captive insurance agent, sometimes also called an "exclusive" or "dedicated" insurance agent, is an insurance agent that works on behalf of only one insurance company. Many major car insurance companies, such as State Farm, Allstate and Farmers, operate through captive insurance agents. This type of agent only sells the insurance products their company offers, but has knowledge of the company’s underwriting guidelines and claims process.
- Work with an independent insurance agent: In contrast to a captive agent, an independent insurance agent represents multiple carriers. An independent agent will shop for your coverage selections with different carriers they represent to provide you with comparable quotes. Some shoppers find independent insurance agents convenient since the agent does the legwork by collecting the quotes for you. Insurance brokers are very similar to independent agents, but some may charge a fee to provide their shopping service.
After you’ve gathered enough auto insurance quotes, you can begin the process of comparing them based on the priorities, budget and coverage package you set prior to your search. Remember that while comparing multiple quotes is an integral part of the process, requesting too many quotes can cause you to become overwhelmed. As such, you may want to set reasonable goals based on your comfort level — some drivers feel that three to five quotes are enough to find the best policy, while others may request more or less. There is no hard and fast rule on the number of quotes you request, but keeping your quotes manageable can make finding a new policy less daunting.
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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Why should you use Bankrate to compare auto insurance quotes?
- Rest assured that we safeguard your private information
- Instantly compare personalized rates among many of the nation's top car insurance companies
- Purchase a policy with a licensed agent through our coverage agency
- Research auto, home and life insurance through articles written, edited and reviewed by industry professionals
What can affect my car insurance quotes?
Car insurance is like a fingerprint — car insurance companies may use almost a dozen different rating factors to determine your premium. Although these factors can vary depending on your state, some may include your age, gender, location, driving history and credit score. Additionally, the type of vehicle you drive and the level of coverage you select will impact the cost of your car insurance. With this in mind, the best car insurance quote will be different for everyone. The best way to find the cheapest policy that suits your individualized needs is to request free quotes and shop around.
Where you live
Where you live also plays a role in your car insurance premium. For example, cities may be more congested than rural areas and also have higher costs of labor and parts when it comes to repairing a vehicle after an accident. While almost all states permit the use of ZIP code in determining car insurance rates, Michigan does not and California limits the ways insurers can use it.
Your age and gender
Your driving history
| Clean record | Speeding ticket | At-fault accident | DUI conviction | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Average | $2,014 | $2,427 | $2,854 | $3,091 |
| Allstate | $2,630 | $3,123 | $3,397 | $3,817 |
| Geico | $1,353 | $1,658 | $1,988 | $3,351 |
| Progressive | $1,642 | $2,140 | $2,638 | $2,156 |
| State Farm | $1,480 | $1,704 | $1,876 | $2,431 |
| Travelers | $1,551 | $2,019 | $2,149 | $3,038 |
| USAA | $1,361 | $1,652 | $1,971 | $2,620 |
*based on full coverage
Keep in mind: Claims tend to impact your premium for three to five years. Premium surcharges are usually impermanent and lessen each passing year. If you’re considering filing a claim, you may want to think about paying out of pocket to avoid a premium surcharge.
Your credit score
Credit score, or more accurately, your credit-based insurance score, can be used by insurance companies in many states to predict the risk of claims being filed in the future. People with a lower credit score may be more likely to file claims compared to those with a higher credit score, according to actuarial studies conducted by the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). Because of this added risk, insurance companies may charge a higher premium to insure a driver with a lower credit-based insurance score. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan ban or restrict the use of credit as a rating factor in car insurance.
| Credit tier | Average annual rate* |
|---|---|
| Excellent | $1,764 |
| Good | $2,014 |
| Average | $2,176 |
| Poor | $3,479 |
*based on full coverage
Your vehicle
The type of car you drive also plays an important role in your car insurance premium. Luxury vehicles tend to have higher premiums, due in part to expensive repair costs for labor and parts. Technology-based safety sensors can make your car safer, for instance, but may actually drive your premium up because they are so expensive to repair or replace. Contrary to popular belief, economy models aren’t always the cheapest cars to insure, either. Because so many of them are on the road, it’s more likely that they will be involved in an accident or be targeted for vandalism and theft.
| Vehicle make and model | Average annual rate* |
|---|---|
| BMW 330i | $2,513 |
| Chevy Bolt | $2,007 |
| Ford F-510 | $1,753 |
| Honda Odyssey | $1,735 |
| Toyota Prius | $2,117 |
*based on full coverage
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Factoring in the criteria listed above, our auto insurance quotes calculator can give you a general range of what you can expect to pay for car insurance. The estimated range can be useful to refer back to when you begin receiving real-time quotes.
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How to find cheap car insurance quotes online
Experts recommend comparing car insurance quotes to find a cheap rate, but what else can you do? Here are some tactics that might help you find a better-priced policy:
- Practice safe driving: According to data from Quadrant Information Services, drivers with at-fault accidents on their records paid an average of 23 percent more for full coverage car insurance. A DUI can raise your full coverage rates even more drastically — an average of 66 percent. Being cautious behind the wheel is typically one of the best ways to save money on insurance.
- Increase your deductible: Opting for a higher deductible may earn you a lower monthly premium. However, be mindful that a higher deductible means you could pay more out of pocket for a covered claim. Be sure you select a deductible that you feel comfortable paying on short notice.
- Improve your credit: Statistics show drivers with lower credit-based insurance scores are more likely to file a claim; therefore, insurers tend to charge them more. To enjoy lower rates, you may want to work on improving your credit, although not every state allows insurers to factor credit into rate calculations.
- Cut unnecessary coverage: It’s important to take stock once in a while of the coverage you actually need and ditch the add-ons that aren’t helpful to you. For example, if your household has two cars, you may not need to add rental car reimbursement to your insurance policy.
- Research discounts: Many car insurance providers offer a lengthy list of discount opportunities that may help eligible drivers pay less.
How do I get the right car insurance quote for me?
An important part of shopping for the best car insurance is knowing how much coverage you need. Experts recommend considering how much you can comfortably pay for your deductibles if you want (or need) comprehensive and collision coverage. Taking a look at your overall financial situation can help you figure out your liability amounts, too. Once you know this, it may be beneficial to try to make sure all chosen coverage and limits, as well as deductibles, are identical in all your quotes. This will ensure that you can compare carriers fairly and that you’re not accidentally choosing a cheaper option with less robust coverage.
Learn how to compare car insurance quotes
Once you’ve requested a handful of quotes, it’s time to compare them to determine which company provides the best value. We’ve included some hypothetical examples below to help demonstrate how to evaluate coverage options across companies.
| Liability limits | Comprehensive and collision deductibles | Optional add-ons | Monthly premium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quote 1 | 50/100/50 | $500 | Emergency roadside assistance | $82 |
| Quote 2 | 50/100/50 | $500 | Emergency roadside assistance | $75 |
| Quote 3 | 100/300/50 | $500 | Emergency roadside assistance, Rental reimbursement, and Mechanical breakdown insurance | $92 |
| Quote 4 | 25/50/25 | $1,000 | None | $64 |
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Quote one has nearly identical liability limits, deductibles and add-ons as quote two. But price is not the only consideration when choosing an insurer. You may want to compare other metrics like third-party customer service scores and digital tool availability as a tie-breaker.
Frequently asked questions about car insurance quotes
Methodology
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
Model: To determine cost by vehicle type, we evaluated our base profile with the following vehicles applied: BMW 330i, Chevy Bolt, Dodge Challenger Ford F-150, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Prius, Subaru Outback and Toyota Camry (base).