Car Insurance Quote Online

Car Insurance Quote Online

Shopping for car insurance is easier now that many companies have fully interactive websites. Many companies, like Geico and American Family, offer current and prospective customers quotes online. Third-party comparison sites offer a way to compare quotes from several different companies and sites side-by-side. Progressive Insurance offers its own quote and the quotes from several of its competitors for online comparison.

Filling Out the Form

Most online quote requests are fairly self-explanatory, and websites frequently offer assistance in filling out the form. To make the process smoother, have the following information on hand:

• Current or last insurance policy held
• Vehicle year, make, and model
• Accident dates for each driver
• Violations for each driver
• Drivers’ license numbers for each driver
• Social security number, birth date, and marital status for each driver

Additionally, many websites say in the fine print that they may run a credit check when running your information through their system. Some companies offer good student discounts, so if insuring a teenager, have their grades available.

Types of Car Insurance

Depending on the website used while shopping for a car insurance quote online, a customer may be able to pick and choose different types of insurance and the coverage amount. The kind of insurance, along with the deductible, affects the insurance premium. In fact, some companies may offer suggestions for the amount of coverage in each area based on lifestyle questions. Keep in mind that each state sets minimum requirements for insurance coverage. Regardless of what the insurance company offers, your policy must meet the state's minimum requirements. Kinds of insurance are:

• Collision—Covers the damage to a vehicle regardless of fault, based on a depreciated value of the vehicle.
• Comprehensive—Covers non-collision damage, such as theft, forces of nature, or other damage to a vehicle not caused by an accident.
• Medical—Covers bills for driver, family members, and passengers in the car. It also usually covers you if you are a passenger in a car involved in an accident, or are a pedestrian hit by a car.
• Liability—Covers injuries and property damage caused by the insured driver.
• Uninsured motorist—Covers injuries and property damage. Also covers hit-and-run accidents.
• Underinsured motorist—Covers injuries and property damage that exceed the other party’s liability limit.

At the very least, most states require liability insurance. Other insurance to consider include umbrella, gap, and optional insurance (which covers things like towing and roadside assistance). Some states have no-fault insurance, where companies cover injury claims regardless of who is at fault. It is meant to cut down on the costs of insuring vehicles across the industry. Drivers who are considered “high risk” may have to go through separate high risk companies for their insurance needs, and may be rejected when filling out an online form.

Things to Consider

When applying for car insurance quotes online, there are several things to consider:

• If a quote seems too good to be true, it usually is.
• Make sure the company is licensed to offer insurance in your state.
• Make sure that coverage offered meets or exceeds your state's requirements.
• When comparing quotes side-by-side, coverage and deductibles must be the same for a fair comparison.
• What is the company's reputation?
• What is the company's procedures for handling claims?
• Does the company have a local office?
• How long has the company been in business?

Car Insurance Quote Online Summary

Finding a car insurance quote online is easy if all of the necessary documents are in order. Many times, customers save several hundred dollars by visiting a comparison website. Before buying a new policy, research the company and make sure it can deliver on all of its promises.