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The first step is to gather the information you\u2019ll need to get a quote. Most insurance companies ask for the same things, which include your:<\/span><\/p>\n You may need to gather some of this information from other people or physically locate your car\u2019s VIN. Doing this ahead of time can make it much easier to shop for car insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Figure out what type and amount of coverage you need. Each state requires a basic level of bodily injury and property damage liability coverage that compensates other drivers when you cause an accident.<\/span><\/p>\n In most states, you won\u2019t be able to get less coverage than that, but you could increase your liability coverage amounts (which we recommend). Here\u2019s a basic list of different coverage types that may be available to you:<\/span><\/p>\n If you have an auto loan, your lender will require you to carry full-coverage insurance on the vehicle. In fact, your car insurance policy will list the lender as a lienholder so the lender is compensated in the case of a total loss.<\/p>\n Full-coverage insurance includes liability coverage plus comprehensive and collision coverage. Consult your loan documentation or reach out to your lender to see what insurance is required if you want to make a change in coverage. Otherwise, keep everything the same as your current policy and give the lender\u2019s name and address to your new insurer.<\/p>\n You may also want to have <\/span>gap insurance<\/span><\/a> if you owe more than your car is worth. Gap insurance pays the difference between the value of your car and what you owe on the loan in the event of a total loss.<\/span><\/p>\n Most car insurance companies also offer roadside assistance as an add-on. Depending on the company, this can cover:<\/span><\/p>\n If your car is under factory warranty, you may have roadside assistance from the manufacturer. Extended warranty plans often come with roadside assistance as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n There are multiple ways to get car insurance quotes, each with its own pros and cons.<\/span><\/p>\n One of the simplest ways of shopping for car insurance is to get a quote from an agent at an insurance company. Also called captive agents, these representatives only work for a single company like Geico or Allstate. They won\u2019t compare other options for you, but they\u2019ll know the ins and outs of their company\u2019s coverage options.<\/p>\n Independent agents and brokers both work with multiple insurance companies, which means they can help you comparison shop. An insurance agency in your town might offer coverage from Geico, Progressive and State Farm along with a few local options. However, brokers and independent agents make more money if you buy more coverage, so they have the incentive to sell you more.<\/p>\n You can also go to company websites and get auto insurance quotes online (unless a company only operates through agents).<\/p>\n Using an online quote comparison tool is an easy and fast way to get prices from many companies at once. Similar to using a company\u2019s website, special situations like <\/span>rideshare insurance<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>classic car insurance<\/span><\/a> may require an agent\u2019s help.<\/span><\/p>\n Always give correct information when filling out a car insurance quote. Car insurance companies can change your rate or even cancel your coverage if they discover something important was missing from the quote, like specific details of your driving history.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Once you\u2019ve decided how you want to get a quote, the next step is to <\/span>compare your car insurance quotes<\/span><\/a>. Whether you use a broker, a comparison tool or a handful of individual company websites, you\u2019ll find the best rates this way. You can also see which companies offer the best discounts for your situation.<\/span><\/p>\n Most car insurance companies offer a variety of discounts that can help you save money. Comparison shopping is important because different companies offer different discounts. For example, State Farm offers a discount of up to 25% for good students, while Geico\u2019s good student discount is up to 15%. Some companies don\u2019t offer good student discounts at all.<\/span><\/p>\n Below are some common <\/span>car insurance discounts<\/span><\/a> you\u2019ll find when shopping around.<\/span><\/p>\n Some companies also offer <\/span>telematics insurance<\/span><\/a> programs that reward good drivers with discounts. These programs use an app, plug-in device or both to track things like your average speed, mileage, acceleration, cornering, braking and late-night driving.<\/span><\/p>\n Examples include:<\/span><\/p>\n If you don\u2019t drive much, you can also find pay-per-mile insurance from a few companies. With a pay-per-mile program, your bill will usually have a base monthly or daily rate plus a rate for every mile you drive. You could save a significant amount if you work from home or only drive occasionally. Examples of pay-per-mile programs include:<\/span><\/p>\n The last step in shopping for car insurance is to purchase your policy. Many car insurance companies offer same-day coverage as long as you sign up and make the first payment. You can also choose to pay for the policy in full up front.<\/p>\n When switching car insurance companies, overlap your old and new policies by at least a full day. In other words, don\u2019t cancel your current coverage until the new coverage kicks in. You can do this by scheduling the cancellation in advance. A lapse in coverage of even a single day can make you riskier to car insurance companies and increase your insurance premiums.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Auto insurance policy costs vary widely depending on the driver and company. In this section, we\u2019ll look at full coverage and state minimum average costs.<\/p>\n According to our rate averages, 35-year-old drivers with good driving histories pay <\/span>$1,730 per year<\/b> or <\/span>$144 per month<\/b> on average for full-coverage car insurance. Below, you can see 10 popular car insurance companies ranked according to annual cost averages.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Minimum coverage is the cheapest option for car insurance. According to our averages, good drivers pay about <\/span>$635 per year<\/b> or <\/span>$53 per month<\/b> on average for minimum-liability coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Car insurance rates are based on a variety of factors, but there are a few things you can do to find cheaper quotes. As you shop for car insurance, consider the following:<\/span> There are multiple ways to shop for car insurance, but the best thing to do is to compare multiple companies at once. Gather your information, choose what types of coverage you need, decide how you want to get a quote and then compare car insurance quotes to find the best option for you.<\/p>\n You may have dozens of car insurance companies available to you, but not all offer the best coverage, service or rates. State Farm and Geico are among our top picks for excellent cheap car insurance.<\/p>\n State Farm is our top recommendation for its affordable average rates, good selection of discounts and many coverage options. The company\u2019s average rates are about 15% cheaper than the national average and it offers numerous ways for students and good drivers to get lower rates. State Farm also has an <\/span>A++ financial strength rating<\/span><\/a> from AM Best.<\/span><\/p>\n Read more<\/b>: <\/span>State Farm insurance review<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Geico\u2019s average rates are about 24% cheaper than the national average, which earns it a spot among our top picks. Notable discounts include a 22% good driver discount, a 15% military discount and a 25% multi-vehicle discount.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Step 2: Decide What Coverage You Need<\/h2>\n
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Consider Lender Requirements<\/h3>\n
Gap Insurance<\/h3>\n
Roadside Assistance<\/h3>\n
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Step 3: Choose How To Get a Quote<\/h2>\n
Contact an Insurance Company\u2019s Agent<\/h3>\n
Use an Insurance Broker or Independent Insurance Agent<\/h3>\n
Get a Quote From a Company\u2019s Website<\/h3>\n
Use an Online Comparison Tool<\/h3>\n
Quote Tip: Be Truthful<\/h4>\n
Step 4: Compare Car Insurance Quotes<\/h2>\n
Find the Right Car Insurance Discounts<\/h3>\n
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Consider Which Companies Offer Usage-Based Insurance<\/h3>\n
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Step 5: Purchase a Policy<\/h2>\n
Avoid a Lapse in Coverage<\/h3>\n
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost?<\/h2>\n
Average Full-Coverage Car Insurance Cost<\/h3>\n
Average Minimum-Coverage Car Insurance Cost<\/h3>\n
How To Save on Car Insurance<\/h2>\n
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How To Shop for Car Insurance: Conclusion<\/h2>\n
Top Auto Insurance Recommendations<\/h3>\n
State Farm: Editor\u2019s Choice<\/h4>\n
Geico: Affordable for Most Drivers<\/h4>\n