Thanks to the internet, car insurance is easier to buy than ever before. It’s so easy to get multiple car insurance quotes online at once from different companies, all at one site. The downside is that you’ll have to take the time to compare them in order to decide which option is the best for you. To help make the process go quicker, you should have all of your information prepared and ready to go.
Whenever you get an auto insurance quote online, whether through an agent or directly, you’ll need to provide some documentation such as your driver’s license, make / model of vehicle, address, VIN, age, social security number, etc. Like it or not, there are certain age groups that are considered “higher risk” than others. Your location might play a role in the types of quotes you get as well – especially if you live in an area prone to extreme weather and road conditions, or where there is a high rate of crime.
If your vehicle has certain safety features, like anti-lock brakes, front and side airbags, GPS, and an alarm system, you will likely qualify for a discount when shopping for car insurance quotes online. Many auto insurance companies give out discounts to safety-conscious drivers. Also, you can potentially save even more if you take a defensive driver’s course.
Other Factors Affecting Car Insurance Quotes Online
Another possible factor affecting the quotes you will get is your credit score. Those with poor credit will have a more difficult time getting a good rate on their car insurance. If you have poor credit, the best thing you can do is try to look for as many discounts as possible. Some insurance companies offer a wide variety of discounts so you will probably be eligible for at least one of them.
As for age and gender, males are usually required to pay higher rates than women since women are considered to be more cautious when driving. Also, drivers younger than 25 are statistically more likely to be careless, so they are usually charged higher premiums. If you are a student who makes good grades, however, you will probably be eligible for a discount.
There is a newer thing some insurance companies are offering called “usage-based insurance”. This means that they are giving drivers the option to have their driving monitored via a mobile app in exchange for possible discounts and lower premiums.
One good company that offers this type of app as well as car insurance quotes online is esurance. Check out its “DriveSense” feature, which is free for anyone to use. Those who enroll as a customer can save a lot of money.