Are all free car insurance quotes created equal? Not quite! Before you go with the insurance company with the cheapest policy or the cutest TV commercials, make sure you compare auto insurance quotes to find the best rate you can. Keep reading to find out what to consider when comparing auto insurance quotes and how to go about evaluating which one is best for you. Direct Auto Insurance is here to help you keep things simple!

How to shop for car insurance

Before purchasing an auto insurance policy, it’s a good idea to shop around and get a quote from multiple insurers. Doing so will allow you to compare your options and make sure you’re getting the best coverage at the best price.

Depending on the insurer you choose, you might be able to shop in person, online, or over the phone. But ultimately the best way to shop for and purchase auto insurance varies from person to person, and it ultimately comes down to what the shopper values.

For example, by shopping online, you might be able to compare rates from different insurers quicker. However, if you have outstanding questions about what coverage choices would be best for you or if you’re not confident in your insurance knowledge, talking to a knowledgeable agent might be the right option for you.

Plus, if you prefer to buy your policy with cash, you might be able to find an option (like Direct Auto) that accepts cash payments at local stores. Whichever way you choose to shop, you should be able to compare your quotes and make an informed decision!

How to get a car insurance quote

Getting a car insurance quote is typically easy and free. If you want to speed up the quote process, it’s a good idea to have the following information on hand:

Personal Information: You’ll have to provide basic information about yourself such as your full name, address, birthdate, and marital status. If you are adding more than one driver to the policy, you will need to add their information as well.
Current Insurance Status: There’s a good chance you will be asked whether you are insured or not. If you are currently uninsured, many insurance companies might view you as a "high risk" to insure. Even if you are uninsured, some of your options (like Direct Auto) can still help you get the coverage you need.
Vehicle Information: In order to provide you with an accurate quote, insurers need to know what type of car(s) you drive. Have the VIN number, year, make, model, and body type for any vehicle you want to insure on hand.
Driving History: Insurers will generally ask if you (or other drivers on the policy) have had any accidents or violations within a certain timeframe. This will help them set an appropriate premium.
Contact Information: You’ll likely be asked to give your phone number and email. This will make it easy to retrieve your quote and make a purchase after you’re finished shopping around.

It’s important to answer everything accurately and honestly. If you don’t provide enough information or don’t provide accurate details about your driving or payment history, you might end up paying more for your policy than your original quote. While you are a little different than your quote, it’s more likely to be accurate if you provide a complete, correct picture.

How to compare car insurance quotes

Now that you know how to get car insurance quotes from multiple insurers, how do you compare them to make sure you’re getting the best deal? Here’s what you need to check between your quotes.

Check the policy term.

Polices are generally offered for different lengths of time, called the policy term. Make sure you're not comparing a quote for a 6-month policy term with a 12-month policy term. A quote for a 12-month policy will have a greater one-time payment, but a potentially lower monthly payment. The amount of the down payment may differ between the two as well.

Compare coverage types and coverage limits.

This point is simple. You want to compare the same two things as best you can, right? So, pull up your auto insurance quotes side-by-side. You can print them out or pull them up on your computer screen. Each coverage type should be listed on your quote. Does one quote have more coverages listed than the other? If so, you’re not seeing a fair comparison.

The numbers listed beside the coverage name should be the limits you selected. For example, you might select 25/50/25 for your liability limits, meaning you have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.

Make sure you have the same coverage options and same coverage limits selected on all quotes.

Double check deductibles.

Some coverages, like comprehensive coverage and collision coverage, have a insurance deductible that you can choose to be either higher or lower. This is the amount of money you would pay out-of-pocket, up front for the damage to your car. The purpose of deductibles is to make the overall cost of damage affordable.

Generally, the higher the deductible you select, the lower your premium for comprehensive and collision will be. Make sure that you select the same deductibles in each quote.

Consider other products and services.

Just as no two drivers are the same, no two auto insurance companies are the same! Some offer 24/7 roadside assistance, flexible payment options, SR22/FR44s, life insurance, and a whole host of other great products and services.

Additional products and services will likely be listed on your quote. Does one include the cost of roadside assistance, while the other doesn't? Like you've done before, ensure that you're comparing the same products and services across all your quotes. In the end, you may find that more products and services could lead to more discounts.

Size up discounts.

Direct Auto auto insurance discounts could save you up to 25% on your car insurance.* The other auto insurance company? They may not be able to say the same. Size up the discounts you're receiving on each quote and double check that you're getting every discount that you can. The more discounts you have, the more you could save. It just makes sense!

Get a quote from Direct Auto!

Now that you know, it's time to save! Get an auto insurance quote from Direct Auto Insurance online at any time, night or day, to see how much you could be saving on your car insurance policy or call us at 1-877-463-4732 or visit one of our agents today to help make sure you're getting the best auto insurance policy for your needs.

Insurance produced by Direct Auto Insurance and underwritten by its affiliates in the National General Insurance Group, Winston-Salem, NC. We offer insurance only in states where we are licensed to do business. You can find this information on our website: directauto.com. Discounts may only apply to certain coverages, are subject to terms and conditions, and may not be available in all states or distribution channels. Price may vary depending on how you buy.

For additional details and disclaimers, please see our Terms of Use.