How To Compare Auto Insurance Quotes (2024)
How to compare auto insurance quotes is easy — all you need is your ZIP code to get started. Comparing auto insurance quotes online is the easiest and fastest way to determine how much you should be paying for car insurance. We recommend comparing auto insurance quotes online from your home's comfort, and you can start with our free comparison tool below. Or if you'd prefer speaking with a licensed auto insurance agent, use our toll-free phone number above.
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Ty Stewart
Licensed Insurance Agent
Ty Stewart is the founder and CEO of SimpleLifeInsure.com. He started researching and studying about insurance when he got his first policy for his own family. He has been featured as an insurance expert speaker at agent conventions and in top publications. As an independent licensed insurance agent, he has helped clients nationwide to secure affordable coverage while making the process simpl...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jan 20, 2024
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Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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Today, it’s easier than ever to compare auto insurance quotes by vehicle. With a few seconds of searching, you can find dozens of quotes from insurance providers in your area.
But how do you actually compare two different auto insurance quotes? What’s the difference between a good auto insurance quote and a bad one? How can you tell if one auto insurance company is legitimate and another is average?
Today, we’re explaining our favorite tips for comparing auto insurance quotes.
Read more: Auto Insurance Quotes by State
Compare Quotes Online for Free Just by Entering your ZIP Code
First, enter your ZIP code into an online car insurance comparison form. In exchange for submitting your ZIP code, you can view instant rate offers from insurance providers in your area.
There’s no hassle or obligation. You simply enter your ZIP code, and that’s it. You can choose to research individual quotes or not.
Sometimes, you’ll see a general price range for auto insurance policies in your area. At the very least, you can see the names of companies offering auto insurance in your region, including Mercury auto insurance quotes.
Take note of a few companies that look good. Then, you can start comparing companies with more important metrics.
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How to Request a Customized Quote
The prices you see initially will be based exclusively on your ZIP code. The insurance company might assume you’re the safest and most experienced driver in the world on your initial quote request, for example, to dazzle you with lower prices.
To get a more accurate idea of which insurance company is best for you, complete the quote request form. Enter your unique demographic data or personal information into the form. Tell the insurance company your age, gender, driving record, and other information.
Read more: What information do I need to provide to get an auto insurance quote?
Without entering your personal data, you’re comparing apples to oranges. Ideally, you want to compare identical car insurance quotes to one another.
How to Verify Coverage Conditions and Compare Identical Policies
After entering your personal information, you might assume the car insurance quotes are all identical. However, different car insurance companies have different standard policies.
One car insurance company might display its basic liability insurance by default, for example, showing you the cheapest possible amount of car insurance required to drive legally in your state.
Another car insurance company might show you the price for full coverage car insurance, which includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage to protect against a broader range of events.
Car insurance can also vary based on your coverage limit. Some policies have $100,000 of coverage, for example, while others have $1 million.
You should be able to see numbers indicating your coverage limits: a 100/300/100 policy from Geico can be compared with a 100/300/100 policy from Nationwide, for example. (For more information, read our “Geico vs. Travelers: Which Offers More Affordable Auto Insurance Quotes“).
Make sure the quoted price you see from each insurance company matches your insurance needs.
Your goal is to compare identical car insurance policies with one another.
Read more:
- Geico DriveEasy Review: Can you get affordable auto insurance?
- American Family Insurance vs. Geico: Which Offers More Affordable Auto Insurance Quotes
- Liberty Mutual vs. State Farm: Which Offers More Affordable Auto Insurance Quotes
- Travelers Auto Insurance Review: Can you get affordable quotes?
- What is the difference between an auto insurance agent and an auto insurance broker?
Where to Check J.D. Power Rankings?
J.D. Power is one of the leading research companies in the car industry. They’re best-known for ranking new vehicles, but they also conduct comprehensive rankings for car insurance companies.
Every year, J.D. Power publishes two studies on car insurance, including:
U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study: How easily were customers able to process an insurance claim? Were policyholders satisfied with the claims process overall?
Insurance Shopping Study: How competitive were the insurance company’s prices? How easy was the shopping experience for customers?
The company publishes these studies nationwide. They also publish reports for individual regions or states, including unique reports for California, Central, Florida, Mid-Atlantic, New England, New York, North Central, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, and Texas.
Check out the latest J.D. Power rankings here.
Certain companies consistently rank better than their competitors in terms of claims satisfaction and insurance shopping.
In the 2018 study, for example, only three car insurance companies received a perfect five-star score for overall satisfaction, while only two companies received a four-star rating:
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Where to View J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction Rankings (2018)?
You can view the 2019 J.D. Power claims satisfaction rankings here.
Five Stars: Erie Insurance, USAA, and Amica Mutual
Four Stars: Auto-Owners Insurance and Farmers
Three Stars: Auto Club of Southern California Insurance Group, The Hartford, Travelers, State Farm, Nationwide, Geico, Allstate, Automobile Club Group, MetLife, 21st Century, American Family, Esurance, Progressive, and Safeco
Two Stars: Liberty Mutual, CSAA Insurance Group, MAPFRE Insurance, and Mercury
Read more: What do I need to do to cancel my auto insurance policy with Safeco Insurance?
Where to View J.D. Power Insurance Shopping Rankings (2019)?
You can view the 2019 J.D. Power insurance shopping rankings here.
Five Stars: Erie Insurance
Four Stars: USAA, Amica Mutual, Auto-Owners Insurance, Auto Club of Southern California Insurance Group, Esurance, Safeco, and American Family
Three Stars: Automobile Club Group, CSAA Insurance Group, Travelers, Liberty Mutual, Geico, State Farm, The Hartford, Allstate, Farmers, MetLife, and Progressive
Two Stars: Nationwide
J.D. Power’s rankings aren’t perfect: the company only polls about 15,000 insurance policyholders across the United States. However, it’s an easy way to get at-a-glance information about the top companies in the car insurance industry.
Read more: What do I need to do to cancel my auto insurance policy with Esurance?
How to Check Complaints About Each Car Insurance Company Using the NAIC
As you narrow down your list of car insurance providers even further, it’s time to check the number of complaints each car insurance company has. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) tracks this data.
You can view the NAIC’s Consumer Information Source here.
On the right side of that page, type in the name of an insurance company, then select ‘property/casualty’ to find complaints about a specific home or car insurance provider.
The NAIC offers two helpful types of complaint reports, including:
Closed Complaint Counts by Code: The reasons complaints were filed against a particular car insurance company.
Closed Complaint Ratio Report: The number of complaints adjusted by market share. A larger company will inevitably get more complaints than a smaller company, so checking the ratio can be helpful.
You can check complaints for each year. Scan through the list of complaints to see how a particular insurance company is dealing with customer claims. You can view the following information:
- Reason for the complaint
- Complaint by type of insurance (commercial vehicle or private passenger vehicle insurance, for example)
- A description of what happened
- The top complaints against car insurance companies typically involve one of the three following circumstances:
- Delay in handling a car insurance claim
- Denial of a claim
- Unsatisfactory claim settlement offers
However, you might also find insurance companies with complaints about unusual things, including complaints about canceling policies and not renewing them, charging extra fees, giving customers trouble with insurance premiums or billing, or providing inadequate responses to questions.
Read more:
- How do I find the NAIC number for my auto insurance company?
- What is the process for renewing my auto insurance policy?
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How to Check for Car Insurance Discounts Unique to Each Insurance Company
Do you qualify for any unique discounts from a particular insurance company? Some insurance companies offer discounts exclusive to that company. USAA, for example, is only available to active duty or retired military personnel and their families, offering steep discounts over other car insurance products.
Other companies specialize in insuring high-risk drivers. If you have a rough driving record, then you might receive a high rate from one company (because that company doesn’t want to insure high-risk drivers).
Some of the discounts that may be unique to a specific insurance company include:
- Complimentary rental car insurance coverage
- Discounts for police officers, nurses, firefighters, doctors, teachers, military personnel, and other professions
- Discounts for good grades or good students
- Discounts for bundling multiple car insurance policies together
- Bundling discounts for those who need home, auto, and life insurance
- And more
Let’s say two car insurance companies are both offering a quote of around $1000 per year. One company provides a discount of 5% for bundling your home and auto insurance together. The other company doesn’t offer home insurance. If all other things are equal (which they should be if you have been following this guide up to this point), then your best option is to take advantage of the company offering the discount.
Final Word
By doing your homework, you can save hundreds of dollars per year on car insurance. With a few minutes of hard work today, you can compare auto insurance quotes from major providers in your area. (For more information, read our “Can you negotiate lower auto insurance rates?“).
Finding the Best Deal on Auto Insurance: Use the tips above to ensure you get the best deal while comparing auto insurance rates between providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I compare auto insurance?
Comparing auto insurance allows you to find the best coverage at the most competitive price. Insurance rates and coverage options can vary significantly between insurance providers, so comparing policies helps you make an informed decision and potentially save money.
Can I get discounts on auto insurance?
Yes, many auto insurance providers offer discounts that can help you save money on your premiums. Some common discounts include safe driver discounts, multi-policy discounts (combining auto and home insurance), good student discounts, and discounts for vehicles equipped with safety features. Inquire with insurance providers about the available discounts.
Should I only consider the price when comparing auto insurance?
No, the price should not be the sole consideration when comparing auto insurance. While affordability is important, it’s crucial to assess the coverage options and the insurer’s reputation for customer service. A policy with inadequate coverage or a company with poor customer service may cost you more in the long run.
Can I customize my auto insurance coverage when comparing policies?
Yes, most insurance providers offer various coverage options that you can customize to fit your needs. You can typically choose the types of coverage (liability, collision, comprehensive, etc.) and adjust the coverage limits and deductibles based on your preferences and budget.
Is it possible to switch auto insurance providers easily?
Yes, switching auto insurance providers is relatively straightforward. Once you have selected a new insurance policy, inform your current provider of your decision to cancel. They will guide you through the cancellation process, and you can then start your new coverage with the chosen provider.
How often should I compare auto insurance rates?
It is recommended to compare auto insurance rates at least once a year or whenever there is a significant change in your circumstances. Factors such as moving to a new location, purchasing a new vehicle, or a change in your driving record may impact the rates and coverage options available to you.