How to Compare Car Insurance Quotes (Step-by-Step Guide)
Comparing 3+ quotes saves an average of $709/year. Here is exactly how to do it in under 30 minutes, with a comparison checklist and the common mistakes that cost people hundreds.
What to Have Ready Before You Start
- Driver's license number for every driver in household
- Date of birth for all drivers
- Driving history for past 3-5 years (violations, claims)
- Current insurer and policy number
- VIN for every vehicle (found on dashboard or registration)
- Year, make, model, and trim level
- Current odometer reading (for low-mileage discounts)
- How the vehicle is used (commute, pleasure, business)
- Desired liability limits (recommend: 100/300/100)
- Deductible amounts (typically $500 or $1,000)
- Optional coverages you want (gap, rental, roadside)
- Current coverage for comparison
The 5-Step Quote Comparison Process
Decide on your liability limits, deductibles, and optional coverages before getting any quotes. If you change your coverage levels partway through, you will not be comparing apples to apples. Start with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles as your baseline.
Target a mix: at least one quote from a large national insurer (State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, Allstate), one from a regional insurer if available in your state (Erie, Auto-Owners, Amica), and one from a comparison tool that shows multiple quotes at once. Spend 5-10 minutes per insurer.
Before comparing prices, check that every quote uses the same liability limits, deductibles, and coverages. Insurers default to different coverage levels and deductibles. A quote that looks $50 cheaper may have a $1,000 deductible instead of $500, or lower liability limits that leave you underinsured.
A cheap insurer that is slow to pay claims or has high complaint rates is not a bargain. Check AM Best rating (look for A or A+ minimum) and the NAIC complaint index (below 1.00 means fewer complaints than average for their size). Both are free to look up at AMBest.com and NAIC.org.
Before accepting any quote, ask the agent or chat representative to review your policy for every possible discount. Tell them you have compared with other insurers and ask if they can do better. Insurance is negotiable within the insurer's rate filings, and agents have some flexibility with discounts.
Quote Comparison Checklist
Use this template to compare quotes side by side. Make sure every row is identical before comparing prices.
| Factor | Company A | Company B | Company C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual premium | Fill in | Fill in | Fill in |
| Monthly premium | Fill in | Fill in | Fill in |
| Liability limits (BI/PD) | Fill in | Fill in | Fill in |
| Collision deductible | Fill in | Fill in | Fill in |
| Comprehensive deductible | Fill in | Fill in | Fill in |
| Uninsured motorist limits | Fill in | Fill in | Fill in |
| Medical payments limit | Fill in | Fill in | Fill in |
| Roadside assistance included? | Fill in | Fill in | Fill in |
| Rental car coverage included? | Fill in | Fill in | Fill in |
| Discounts applied | Fill in | Fill in | Fill in |
| AM Best rating | Fill in | Fill in | Fill in |
| NAIC complaint index | Fill in | Fill in | Fill in |
| J.D. Power score | Fill in | Fill in | Fill in |
Where to Get Car Insurance Quotes
6 Common Mistakes When Comparing Quotes
When to Shop for Car Insurance
2-4 weeks before renewal is ideal. You have time to compare without rushing, and insurers know you might switch.
Married drivers typically pay less. This is a good time to combine policies and explore bundling discounts.
Bundling home and auto with the same insurer can save 10-25%. Shop right when your homeowner's policy starts.
Rates vary dramatically by state and even by ZIP code. Rates in Miami can be 3x higher than rural Florida.
A teen driver on your policy changes your risk profile significantly. Some insurers are far more competitive than others for household young drivers.
The insurance market changes constantly. An insurer that was cheapest last year may not be this year. Annual comparison is good practice.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you compare car insurance quotes fairly?
The key to a fair comparison is identical coverage levels across all quotes. Set the same liability limits (e.g., 100/300/100), the same deductibles (e.g., $500 for both collision and comprehensive), and the same optional coverages (e.g., UM/UIM, gap insurance) for every quote. A $500/year policy with lower limits is not comparable to a $700/year policy with recommended limits. Comparing apples to apples is the most common mistake people make.
How many car insurance quotes should you get?
Get at least 3 quotes, ideally 4-5. NerdWallet research shows that getting 3 or more quotes saves an average of $709 per year compared to staying with your current insurer. Each additional quote increases the chance of finding a significantly better rate. Getting quotes takes about 5-10 minutes per insurer using their website or a comparison tool like The Zebra.
Does getting car insurance quotes hurt your credit score?
No. Car insurance companies perform a soft inquiry (or use a credit-based insurance score) when giving you a quote, which does not affect your FICO credit score. You can get as many car insurance quotes as you want without any negative impact on your credit. This is different from applying for a loan, which involves a hard inquiry.
When is the best time to shop for car insurance?
The best time to compare car insurance quotes is 2-4 weeks before your current policy renews. This gives you time to evaluate options and make a switch if you find a better rate. You should also shop after any major life change: getting married (rates typically drop), buying a home (bundling opportunity), moving to a new state, adding a new driver to your household, or buying a new vehicle. Shopping annually is a good habit even if you are happy with your current insurer.