How to Get Car Insurance: Steps From Quote to Coverage

How to get car insurance

To get car insurance, you contact insurers directly by phone or website, provide information about yourself and your vehicle, receive quotes, choose a policy, and pay your first premium. Most people complete this in one to three days. You can buy from a large national company like State Farm or Geico, a regional insurer, or through an independent agent who represents multiple companies. The insurer then issues a policy document that shows your coverage, limits, deductible, and the dates your coverage starts and ends.

You do not need to own the car outright to get insurance — you can buy a policy before you drive it home from the dealer or a private seller. If you finance or lease the vehicle, your lender or leasing company will require you to carry certain types of coverage, and they will be listed on your policy documents.

Key Takeaways

• You will need your driver's license, vehicle identification number (VIN), and current driving history to get a quote.
• Insurers ask about your age, address, how far you drive, and whether you have had accidents or violations — these details change your price.
• Liability coverage is legally required in every state, but the minimum amount varies by state; collision and comprehensive coverage are optional but often required by lenders.
• Comparing quotes from at least three insurers usually takes less than an hour and can save you hundreds of dollars per year.
• Your policy becomes active on the date you choose, not the date you buy it, so you can purchase coverage before you need it.

Information you need before you contact an insurer

Have your driver's license ready. Insurers will ask for your license number, date of birth, and the state that issued it. If you have been licensed in multiple states, some insurers ask about all of them.

Gather your vehicle information. You will need the vehicle identification number (VIN), which appears on your registration and on the dashboard at the bottom of the windshield on the driver's side. The VIN tells the insurer the year, make, model, and safety features of your car. You will also need the current mileage and the date you bought or will buy the vehicle.

Know your driving history. Insurers check your record for accidents, traffic violations, and insurance claims. You can request a copy of your driving record from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles before you call an insurer, though most insurers will pull it themselves during the quote process. If you have been licensed in other states, some insurers ask about violations or accidents in those states too.

If you are insuring a vehicle you do not yet own, have the seller's or dealer's contact information available. Insurers sometimes verify vehicle details directly with the seller.

What insurers ask during the quote process

Beyond your license and vehicle details, insurers ask about your age, gender, marital status, and current address. They ask whether you live in a house, apartment, or other dwelling, and whether you own or rent. These details affect your rate because they relate to where your car is parked and the risk of theft or damage.

Insurers ask how you use the vehicle: whether you drive it to work, how many miles you drive per year, and whether anyone else in your household will drive it. A car driven 5,000 miles per year costs less to insure than one driven 20,000 miles per year. If you have a teenage driver in the household, your rate will be higher than if only adults drive the car.

You will be asked about prior insurance. If you had coverage with another insurer, tell them the company name and when your coverage ended. If you have been without insurance, some insurers charge more or will not quote you. If you are a first-time buyer, say so.

Insurers ask about accidents and violations in the past three to five years. Be honest — insurers verify this information against your driving record, and lying disqualifies you from coverage. If you had an accident where you were at fault, a speeding ticket, or a DUI, the insurer will know.

Types of coverage and what they cost

Liability coverage pays for damage or injury you cause to someone else. It is required by law in every state. The minimum amount varies: some states require as little as $15,000 per person injured, while others require $50,000 or more. Most people buy more than the minimum because a serious accident can result in a lawsuit that exceeds the state minimum. Liability is usually the cheapest part of your premium.

Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your car if you hit another vehicle or object, or if another vehicle hits you. It does not cover damage from weather, theft, or vandalism. Collision is optional unless your lender requires it. You choose a deductible — usually $500 or $1,000 — which is the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance pays the rest. A higher deductible lowers your premium.

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your car from weather, theft, vandalism, hitting an animal, or other events not involving a collision. Like collision, it is optional unless your lender requires it, and you choose a deductible. Comprehensive is usually cheaper than collision.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays for your injuries and car damage if you are hit by a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance. It is required in some states and optional in others. The cost is usually low.

Your total premium is the sum of all these coverages. The insurer will show you the price for each type so you can see what you are paying for.

How to compare quotes from different insurers

Contact at least three insurers and provide the same information to each one. Use the same deductible amounts and coverage limits so the quotes are truly comparable. For example, if you ask one insurer for $100,000 in liability coverage and another for $50,000, you cannot compare the prices directly.

Write down the total annual or monthly premium from each insurer, along with the deductible and coverage limits. Note any discounts the insurer mentioned — many offer discounts for bundling home and auto insurance, for completing a defensive driving course, for being a good driver, or for paying your premium in full upfront rather than monthly.

The lowest price is not always the best choice. Check the insurer's customer service ratings and claims handling reputation. You can read reviews on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) website or on consumer review sites. If an insurer is significantly cheaper but has poor ratings for paying claims, the savings may not be worth it.

Choosing a policy and paying for it

Once you have decided on an insurer and coverage, you will choose a start date for your policy. This date does not have to be today — you can purchase a policy that starts tomorrow, next week, or whenever you need coverage. This is useful if you are buying a car but will not drive it for a few days.

You will choose how to pay: monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. Monthly payments are convenient but usually cost slightly more in total because the insurer charges a small fee for the payment plan. Paying annually upfront is usually cheapest.

Provide a payment method — a bank account for automatic withdrawal, a credit card, or a check. The insurer will charge your first premium and issue a policy document. This document shows your policy number, coverage types, limits, deductible, the names of all drivers on the policy, and the vehicle identification number. Keep this document in your car or on your phone — you will need to show proof of insurance if you are pulled over by police.

Your coverage becomes active on the start date you chose. If you chose a start date in the future, you do not have coverage until that date arrives, so do not drive the vehicle before then.

What happens after you buy a policy

Your insurer will send you a renewal notice 30 to 60 days before your policy expires. The notice shows your current premium and any changes to your rate. You can renew with the same insurer, switch to a different one, or change your coverage. If you do nothing, most insurers automatically renew your policy on the same terms.

If you have an accident or file a claim, contact your insurer as soon as possible. Provide the police report number if police responded, the other driver's information if another vehicle was involved, and photos of the damage if you have them. The insurer will assign a claims adjuster who will inspect the damage and determine what they will pay.

Your rate may increase after an accident, especially if you were at fault. The increase varies by insurer and by state. Some insurers offer accident forgiveness, which means your rate will not go up after your first accident; this is usually available only if you have been with the insurer for a certain length of time and have a clean driving record otherwise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get car insurance without a driver's license?

No. Insurers require a valid driver's license to issue a policy. If you are learning to drive and do not yet have a license, you can be listed as a driver on someone else's policy while you practice, but you cannot be the policyholder.

What if I have a very bad driving record?

You can still get car insurance, but you will pay more. Insurers that specialize in high-risk drivers exist in most states, though their premiums are significantly higher. Some states also have assigned risk pools — a last resort where insurers must accept drivers they would normally reject. Your state's insurance commissioner's office can tell you which insurers serve high-risk drivers in your state.

Do I need to buy insurance before I buy the car?

You do not need to buy it before you purchase the car, but you do need it before you drive it. Many people get a quote and choose a policy a day or two before they pick up the vehicle, so coverage is active when they drive it home. Some dealers will let you drive off the lot with temporary coverage while you finalize your policy.

How often should I shop for new insurance?

Rates change yearly, and your situation changes too — you may have fewer accidents on your record, or you may have moved to a cheaper area. Shopping every one to two years usually saves money. Some people shop annually when their renewal notice arrives.

What if I only drive occasionally?

Tell your insurer your actual annual mileage. If you drive fewer than 5,000 miles per year, some insurers offer low-mileage discounts. If you drive your car very rarely, some insurers offer usage-based policies where you pay based on how much you actually drive, tracked through a mobile app or a device plugged into your car.