For many of us, having a car is part of our lives. Unless you live in a city that has great public transportation options, you’re more than likely going to have a car that gets you to work, school, the gym, social outings etc. A car is more than just a tool to get you from point A to point B, it’s also a critical possession that helps you maintain your livelihood. If you’ve got a car, you’re also familiar with car insurance. Car insurance isn’t the most exciting purchase you’ll make, but it can really get you out of a bind if you get in a wreck, and can help protect what for many is a pretty large asset.

In 2020, we do most things online, and getting a quote online is probably something you’re familiar with. Most advertisements from auto insurance companies in fact direct you to their online “comparison tools”, hopefully making the process easier and quicker. As easy as it is to just auto renew your policy when it comes do, periodically it can be wise to actually do a little shopping around. As you’re doing this, consider more than just price – going with the lowest rate might no be the best! Follows these tips to make sure your quoting experience is effective.

Be Prepared With Information

Make things easy during the online quote process by having your documents and information needed. Nothing’s worse (and I’ve been here before) than getting halfway through a form and realizing you don’t have all the information, and you get frustrated and give up altogether.

Come prepared with the basics of your vehicle – make, model, mileage and condition. Also have a good understanding of your driving habits – i.e. how many miles on average you drive each week, month or year. You could be eligible for a lower rate if you’re not a frequent driver. It’ll also be good to have closely your current policy, and be able to compare apples to apples what you’d be paying vs what you get with coverage.

Figure Out What Coverage You Need

It’ll be wise to have a good understanding of the coverage that you’re looking for. Do you need just basic coverage, or something more comprehensive? I.e. if you get in a wreck and it’s your fault, do you have such an old car that you would just replace it or pay for the damage yourself? If so, you could make due with just coverage for other cars. If you do need or want coverage for your own car, start doing some math on the coverage needed or deductibles you’d be comfortable with.

Insurance is a bit of a game – pay more in monthly premiums for a lower deductible, or get a lower rate but take on a higher deductible. A deductible refers to the amount you’d have to pay out of pocket before the insurance company would kick in. So, a $2,000 deductible means you’d be responsible for paying $2,000 in the event of an accident. Weigh the pros and cons and figure out what makes sense for you.

Expunge Traffic Violations If Recent

Somewhat unsurprisingly, if you have many traffic violations it is likely to increase the cost of your insurance premiums substantially. If you are able to expunge traffic violations it should be something you should think about doing.

You may need the assistance of a lawyer here, but it’s worth it when you can see the decrease in prices after the violations have been expunged.

Be As Detailed As Possible

As you may expect, more complex questionnaires will give you better results. If you go into detail, you’re more likely to get a precise, realistic quote.

While sometimes you might want to go for a shorter, more simple survey, they won’t give you the accuracy you need. It’s definitely worth taking the extra time on a more in-depth questionnaire – you won’t regret it.

Compare Apples to Apples

Once you have a few car insurance quotes, it’s worth comparing them to each other. Once you’ve double-checked that you’ve input in all of the right information, compare coverage levels. Car insurance is much more than just getting a good deal – you’re buying car insurance to make sure you’re covered in the event of a loss.

Make sure you have an idea of the liability limits, uninsured motorist limits, and collision and comprehensive deductibles of each quote.

Refine Policy Details

At this point in the process of looking at car insurance online, you need to check the finer policies and personalizable features of each quote, as these can differ from company to company. 

You should contrast various aspects of each quote, starting with the preset coverage levels. There may also be the opportunity for additional coverage for additional security on a lease or a loan. Finally, keep an eye out for any discounts, rewards, perks and freebies – you might find one that really comes in useful.

Getting The Insurance

Follow these steps and tips for finding car insurance quotes online and you’ll see just how simple it can be. Compare quotes and see what’s best for you; don’t just go for the first one you see!

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