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We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Make Money
The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within the listing categories. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you. SHARE: MoMo Productions/Getty Images October 05, 2022 Cate Deventer is a writer, editor and insurance professional with over a decade of experience in the insurance industry as a licensed insurance agent. Amelia Buckley is an insurance editor, covering auto, home and life insurance. She emphasizes creating informative, engaging and nuanced content to support readers in making personalized insurance decisions. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of how we make money. Our content is backed by LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our Insurance Disclosure. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by and edited by , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Our insurance team is composed of agents, data analysts, and customers like you. They focus on the points consumers care about most — price, customer service, policy features and savings opportunities — so you can feel confident about which provider is right for you. We guide you throughout your search and help you understand your coverage options. We provide up-to-date, reliable market information to help you make confident decisions. We reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible. All providers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide. And we constantly review our criteria to ensure we’re putting accuracy first. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
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You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. Bankrate logo Insurance Disclosure
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in . Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way. If you’re new to the world of car ownership, or if you’re navigating the purchase of a car insurance policy for the first time, the process of getting car insurance may seem complicated. It doesn’t have to be, though. With a little research, purchasing a policy is relatively simple. You just need to know where to start. Compare rates and save on auto insurance today! Get quotes Close X RatesRates keep going up in 2022. Compare rates and save on auto insurance today! Get quotes Close X This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions. Compare auto insurance rates
Answer a few questions to see personalized rates from top carriers. Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like: Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year Arrow Right Are you overpaying for auto insurance? Arrow Right Safe drivers choose Allstate Arrow Right Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249) Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in . Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way. See more providers in Choose from insurers in Show More RATE INCREASE ALERT Rates increased up to 12% this year
Shop for a better rate before you renew your current policy. This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions. Compare auto insurance rates
Answer a few questions to see personalized rates from top carriers. Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like: Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year Arrow Right Are you overpaying for auto insurance? Arrow Right Safe drivers choose Allstate Arrow Right Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249) Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in . Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way. See more providers in Choose from insurers in Show More If you’re not sure how to get car insurance, Bankrate may be able to help. Our insurance editorial team has made it simple to learn the process of buying car insurance, breaking it down to six easy steps. Following these steps could help you feel confident in tackling the car insurance process from start to finish. How to shop for car insurance
While there are steps you can follow when shopping for car insurance, the specifics of your coverage will be unique to you. Every driver has different needs, wants and considerations. One of the most important things you can do before shopping for insurance is analyze your overall financial picture. What is your budget for coverage? What kind of car do you have, and what is its ? What is your level of risk tolerance? If you have a low tolerance for risk or cannot afford to pay much out of pocket if you have an accident, you may want to consider . Most insurance experts recommend buying as much liability insurance as you can afford, since you could be financially responsible if you cause an accident that costs more than your coverage limits provide. Having a general idea of the answers to these questions could help you move more quickly through the steps outlined below. 1 Assemble paperwork
The first thing you may want to do is to gather and organize all the paperwork and documentation you will need. This information could vary by insurer, but typically includes: Your driver’s license number Your date of birth Your social security number The year, make, model of your vehicle Current vehicle mileage Vehicle identification number (VIN) of your car The routing and account numbers of your checking account for direct payments Your current policy declarations page The includes the pertinent details of your coverage, including limits, deductions and exclusions. It will also list your policy number, policy date, premium and discounts you currently receive. 2 Determine coverage type and amount
Before you can apply for auto insurance, you must decide to purchase and what optional endorsements you might want. These can include basic liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments, personal injury protection and roadside assistance coverage. The state you live in and the company you choose will affect what coverages are available. To determine coverage amounts, you can look at your state’s legal . You may want more coverage than the minimum, but it is illegal to drive with less. However, you may rest assured that you will not be able to purchase a policy with limits that are below your state’s minimum limits. Still, most insurance agents recommend that you purchase higher liability limits to offer more financial protection. If you have a loan or lease, you will likely need a full coverage policy, which includes comprehensive and collision coverages. 3 Shop around and compare quotes
Now that you know what kind of coverage you want, it is time to . While many components of auto insurance are similar across the industry, premiums, coverages, discounts and policy features can vary between insurance companies. By knowing the coverage types and limits you want, you can and see which will offer the best fit for your needs. If you don’t have the time to shop around, you might consider working with an . They work with multiple carriers and can get quotes for you. Then, you can review the quotes together to decide which one fits your needs and budget. 4 Fill out an application
Now it is time to contact the insurance company you have chosen and fill out an application. With most auto insurance companies, you can apply in person or online on a company website. Some insurance companies may let you apply by phone or email, as well. Your choice can affect how long the application takes, but the process is relatively quick even if you speak with an agent in person. Much of the information needed to fill out your application can be found in the paperwork you assembled in step one and the policy specifics you decided upon in step three. Beyond these details, you will need to provide payment information. This is where the voided check or routing numbers come in. Once the application is complete, submit it and wait for a notification of approval. You will usually receive these notifications by email but may be able to request a phone call. If you are working with an in-person agency, you should be able to talk to your agent to determine if your policy was approved. 5 Pay your first premium
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get car insurance
Most drivers are able to purchase car insurance fairly quickly. Depending on the car insurance company you apply with and the type of application process it involves, it could take as little as a few hours to obtain a policy on your car. It’s important to remember, though, that car insurance is written on a case-by-case basis. What that means is that if you have a complicated policy, it could take longer to obtain a quote and purchase coverage for your vehicle. In general, though, you can pay your first premium after your application is approved. Once the company receives payment for your policy, your car insurance will be active as of the start date listed on your policy.
How much does car insurance cost
The is $1,771 per year for full coverage auto insurance, according to Bankrate’s analysis of 2022 rate data from Quadrant Information Services. It’s important to understand, however, that rates vary significantly for each driver based on numerous factors, including your location, driving history and claims history, among other factors. The number of cars you insure, the coverages you choose, the limits you purchase and your driving history can all impact your premium. As such, your rate may be higher or lower than the average.
How can I find the cheapest car insurance
One of the best ways to find the is to compare quotes from several carriers. By comparing the same coverage options, limits and deductibles, you can see which company offers the cheapest rates for the coverages you need. Although most carriers offer the same general , like multi-car and safe driver, there may be others unique to one carrier. Ask about or review them online to see how many you could stack to potentially increase your savings.
How do I switch car insurance companies
is relatively easy. Once you have found a company you want to switch to, you just need to get the new policy in place before you cancel your current policy, to avoid a . Once you have paid your first premium and the new policy is active, you can then cancel your old policy. It may make sense to switch carriers if you move, experience a lifestyle change, need to add a new driver, buy a new car or if your current policy is coming up for renewal.
Can I still get car insurance if my coverage was dropped
Yes, you should still have options for car insurance coverage even if you were dropped by another provider. If you have had a lapse in coverage or your insurer drops you based on your driving record, you can generally expect to pay more for auto insurance coverage. In some cases, you may be ineligible for coverage through the standard car insurance market. If this happens, you can contact your state’s Department of Insurance (DOI) to discuss its “assigned risk plan,” which helps provide car insurance coverage when you cannot purchase it elsewhere. SHARE: Cate Deventer is a writer, editor and insurance professional with over a decade of experience in the insurance industry as a licensed insurance agent. Amelia Buckley is an insurance editor, covering auto, home and life insurance. She emphasizes creating informative, engaging and nuanced content to support readers in making personalized insurance decisions.