Shopping For Auto Insurance

Don't sign anything until you find out what your insurance costs will be.  Before you buy a new or used vehicle, get a quote on the car you want from an experienced online insurance broker like Insweb.com and Netquote.com (both recommended). Insweb.com and Netquote.com present your driving history and vehicle choice to a number of the leading auto insurers like State Farm, AIG, AARP, Progressive, Nationwide, CNA and Liberty Mutual then present you with the best rates. You'll be surprised by how much some cars cost to insure, and at the difference in rates from one company to the next.  Knowing your insurance costs before you buy, you can budget to accommodate the insurance.  Internet Resources links you to more insurance info.

Why do we recommend Insweb.com and NetQuote.com? - As the 2 oldest and largest insurance quote services, Insweb.com and Netquote.com have been working closely with brokers, captive agents, and direct writers to help identify those consumers (hopefully you) to whom they can offer the best rates.  Once you have entered your driving history and vehicle information, Insweb.com and  Netquote.com's computer selects from over 100 companies and chooses those with the best rates based on your profile. Agents local to you who represent the selected companies then receive your data and process your quote. The agents then call, FAX, or e-mail you their no-obligation quote (expect between 3 to 5 different quotes). All you have to do is compare the new rates with those offered by your current insurer and choose a winner.

How Are Insurance Rates Determined? - In setting premiums, insurance companies rely on some factors not directly related to the vehicle itself.  Rates are affected by your zip code, age, gender, marital status, driving record (tickets & accidents, both yours and your family's), and finally the make, year, model, and type of vehicle you're insuring. 

Required By DMV - To get new tags for your purchase, in addition to your driver's license you must present proof of insurance to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).  Your insurance agent will give you a new insurance identification card, listing your carrier, policy number, VIN# (vehicle identification number), and your name and address.  Make sure the VIN# is correct and that the address on the card matches your driver's license exactly. 

Pitfalls To Avoid - If you're in the majority of drivers whose driving record isn't perfect, don't lie about it when you're getting online quotes.  Insurance companies will check your driving record.  They will even find out about your out-of-state tickets and accidents.  You can be charged with fraud!

If your driving record is questionable, get a copy of your driving record before shopping for insurance.  "Questionable" means accidents you were involved in and traffic tickets you may have received, any time in the past 5 years.  Even if you were found not at fault or not guilty, or you paid off your tickets like a good citizen, check your record to make sure your compliance has been noted.  

Either go through reputable insurance brokers like Insweb.com and Netquote.com or buy directfrom well known national companies like State Farm, Travelers, Fireman's Fund, Aetna, Allstate, AIG, AARP, Progressive, Nationwide, CNA, and Liberty Mutual.  Avoid brokers who guarantee coverage for all while advertising their low down payments; they sell policies from under-funded high-risk insurance carriers.  The best way to evaluate an insurance company is to research its A.M.Best rating, which tells you its ability to pay off.  Try to buy insurance only from companies with "A" ratings.  Go no lower than "B." 

Types Of Insurance Coverage are covered on the next page>

© 2006 SafeCarGuide.com, Inc.|Staff |Disclaimer|Privacy| an autobytel.com affiliate